UCF’s Board of Trustees is expected to discuss and possibly vote on Thursday whether or not to host the Cheez-It Citrus and Pop-Tarts bowls, plus the Florida Classic at Acrisure Bounce House Stadium next season.
The vote was listed on the agenda for the BOT’s meeting, scheduled for Thursday.
Florida Citrus Sports, which hosts all three events, is seeking a temporary venue while Camping World Stadium undergoes a $400 million renovation set to begin in February 2026.
It’s expected to be completed ahead of the 2027 season.
UCF athletics director Terry Mohajir and UCF associate AD of Facilities Operations and Capital Projects will present the proposal to the board. The BOT must vote on any event that could exceed 10,000 attendees.
Acrisure Bounce House Stadium is currently undergoing its own expansion project: a $90 million renovation of the Roth Tower, which will increase the tower’s footprint by approximately 58,000 square feet, with approximately 15,650 square feet dedicated to club space. This includes 42% more club seating, loge suites with seating, 28 luxury suites and 34 new outdoor sky suites.
It’s expected to be completed ahead of the 2026 football season.
The new premium seating options are expected to help the school generate $2.4 million in new annual revenue. Part of that revenue stream could come from hosting events such as bowl games at the 45,000-seat venue.
UCF previously hosted the 2023 Cure Bowl and has hosted the Hula Bowl since 2022.
The Cheez-It Citrus Bowl drew an average of 44,600 fans over the past three seasons, while the Pop-Tarts Bowl has averaged nearly 44,000 fans during that same stretch. The Florida Classic, which is the annual rivalry game between Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M, typically draws an average of 56,000 fans.
The last time the Citrus Bowl wasn’t played at Camping World Stadium was in 1973, when the Tangerine Bowl, as it was known at the time, was moved to Florida Field in Gainesville. The Pop-Tarts Bowl, which began as the Blockbuster Bowl, was played at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami from 1990 through 2000 before moving to Orlando.
The last time the Florida Classic wasn’t played in Orlando was 1996, after nearly two decades in Tampa. It was also played in Jacksonville (1955-58) and home fields in Daytona Beach and Tallahassee.
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