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Citrus Bowl

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Citrus Bowl Tickets

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About

Citrus Bowl History

The Citrus Bowl in Orlando is one of college football's signature events, a burst of Florida sunshine on New Year's Day. The game, traditionally played on January 1, usually pits an SEC team against a representative from the Big Ten.

The event was born in 1947 as the Tangerine Bowl, with the Catawba Indians beating the Maryville Scots, 31-6. The initial sponsors were members of a local Elks Lodge who each put up $100 to cover expenses. Proceeds went to the Harry Anna Children's Hospital, which is why the bowl would come to be known as the "Little Bowl with the Big Heart." The stadium, built in 1936 under the auspices of the Works Progress Administration, accommodated just 8,900 fans.

Today the stadium — now called Camping World Stadium — is a fully modern, 65,000-capacity facility, and the Citrus Bowl is a centerpiece of the bowl season. While it lacks the pageantry of the Rose Bowl on the other side of the country, the game is rich with the sport's history, both bad and good. The unbeaten 1955 Hillsdale College football team refused an invitation to the bowl after officials said the school's four black players would not be allowed to play. Likewise, University of Buffalo players in 1958 elected to skip the game because its two black players would have been kept off the field. But by 1966, the color line had been lifted, and Morgan State became the first historically black college to play in the bowl. The Bears went on to beat the West Chester Golden Rams, 14-6.

Other memorable games include the 1996 Citrus Bowl, in which fourth-ranked Tennessee beat fourth-ranked Ohio State, 20-14, and the 1969 edition, in which Toledo hung 56 points on Davidson, a bowl record that stands today.

Reviews

Rating: 4 out of 5 based on 297 reviews
  • Rating: 4 out of 5

    by ABCsoapfan on 1/3/11Florida Citrus Bowl - Orlando

    The football game was good however the section I was sitting in ran out of hot dogs, powerade and water during the second quarter. Hot dogs were restocked near the end of half time but they never restocked the drinks.

  • Rating: 4 out of 5

    NO WATER!!!

    by 9heather9 on 1/3/11Florida Citrus Bowl - Orlando

    WE were sitting in section 305 and before half time the concession stands on the 3rd deck had already sold out of water and other drinks... except BEER. Not good for family's who have kids!!!!

  • Rating: 4 out of 5

    Atmosphere was Awesome...Game...Blah!!

    by GetItIn on 1/3/11Florida Citrus Bowl - Orlando

    I had a great seats and great surrondings...I sat in the 334 section and could see the entire game. That was good and bad because MSU laid an egg and I was on their side...so no cheer and a bit of a dual game. So I recommend the stadium and tickets...just make sure the teams are better matched and will be a good game and then it will be amazing...

  • Rating: 4 out of 5

    Alabama was amazing at Capital One Bowl!!

    by Bamafan33 on 1/3/11Florida Citrus Bowl - Orlando

    I wasn't totally impressed with the stadium... it's obviously older and not as nice as newer stadiums... but the game and experience were amazing!

  • Rating: 3 out of 5

    by BamaAndy12 on 1/3/11Florida Citrus Bowl - Orlando

    Good Stadium in not so good part of city but no problems, Plenty of off site parking . Weather fantastic and even more enjoyable game.

  • Rating: 2 out of 5

    Good game, but stadium needs work!

    by RollTider on 1/3/11Florida Citrus Bowl - Orlando

    The game was great, but the stadium definitely needs renovating. Some of the bleachers were broken and the bathrooms were not clean. Additionally, I'm not sure if the staff underplanned, but they ran out of water before the second half of the game began. Overall, the experience would have been better if the staff had planned a bit better and the stadium was in better condition.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    by Anonymous on 1/3/11Florida Citrus Bowl - Orlando

    Had a great time at the football game. This is the third time I have been down there for the game and all 3 times I have had a good time.

  • Rating: 4 out of 5

    Capital One Bowl was great!

    by LOVETHETIDE on 1/3/11Florida Citrus Bowl - Orlando

    The game was wonderful, especially since Alabama won big. Outside the events were good, but not enough vendors for such a big event. Inside the seating was good but we were in the upper deck and there were very few food vendors available and very expensive. The speakers were too loud when music was played.

  • Rating: 4 out of 5

    Great to see the SEC & BIG TEN every year!

    by ekim on 1/3/11Florida Citrus Bowl - Orlando

    Each year we go to the Capital One Bowl and enjoy it every time! The SEC/Big Ten match up always proves to be a great game, although this year was a blow out! The field is in great shape (after the LSU/PENN State "mudbowl" match up last year!). The stadium still needs attention. The bathrooms particularly. We also noticed that the port-a-lets were not tended to and seemed to be that way since the Champs Bowl the Tuesday before. Unfortunately, this stadium needs work - Orlando should be able to host great events - but the stadium does not reflect the true "O" magic that this city generally provides visitors!

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Bama bowled MSU

    by grubby25 on 1/3/11Florida Citrus Bowl - Orlando

    Awesome seats in the upright section, then to have Bama win in the fashion they did priceless.

  • Rating: 4 out of 5

    Good Bowl Game

    by Bama79 on 1/3/11Florida Citrus Bowl - Orlando

    I read some older reviews off google about the area and stadium. They seem to be a bit off. Sure the neighborhood surrunding the stadium isn't upper middle class, but I felt safe walking through during the day. But you still might want to do stadium parking if you can. Plenty of cops in radius of stadium streets. The Citrus Bowl was clean and had bench style sitting. But they have installed individual fanny tops on the bench, so cramming isn't possible. There were plenty of food vendors, but the same food selection. $9 - $12 for most food plates. Only saw beer sales, no liquor. The new fake football field looks great. Good PA system and Reply Screen. Bathrooms and under stadium walking was fine.

  • Rating: 4 out of 5

    by Anonymous on 1/3/11Florida Citrus Bowl - Orlando

    the cirtus bowl is an older facility, but the seats are well marked and defined, and you dont feel as crowded as at other college facilities. the food service is limited, overpriced, and not that good, and there is no place to sit in the concourse, so if you don't eat at your seat, you stand. the music and speaker system is played too loud but the field is much better with the artificial turf,and you cant beat football in florida in january.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    GAME WAS AWESOME 1/1/2011

    by TIDERULZ2000 on 1/3/11Florida Citrus Bowl - Orlando

    I HAD A BLAST--THE PLACE WAS PACKED BUT EVERYTHING WENT SMOOTHLY--EVEN IF THE CONCESSIONS WERE A BIT PRICEY BUT YOU KIND OF EXPECT THAT....GAME WAS THE ATTRACTION AND IT DEFINITELY LIVED UP TO THE HYPE....

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Awsome

    by Eddie45 on 1/3/11Florida Citrus Bowl - Orlando

    really worth it. Very good way to expend the week end and have fun

  • Rating: 3 out of 5

    Recommend with disclaimer...

    by mgmzebra on 1/3/11Florida Citrus Bowl - Orlando

    Upper level east stands concessions were POORLY done...only three stations open where six were possible...lines were impossible.... gate was not opened at 11:00 AM lines were very long and patrons were grumpy due to delay. transportation was great! Food was more carnival fare like than quality expected at a well run event.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Alabama vs Michigan State

    by SimpleMan1956 on 1/3/11Florida Citrus Bowl - Orlando

    Had an awesome time at the game.. Didn't know I could have so much fun at a football game.. Hope to do it again next year.

  • Rating: 4 out of 5

    Capital One Bowl 2011 - Bama rolled!

    by bamafam on 1/3/11Florida Citrus Bowl - Orlando

    We had a great time at the game. The offsite parking at the Amway center with free shuttle to the stadium was a great idea and we found it to be extremely efficient and trouble free. The Fan Fest area was a little small and got extremely crowded with people trying to get in and out of the only entrance. I would suggest more than one entrance for better traffic flow. Although we sat in the upper deck, our seats were excellent and we were able to see the entire field. Wish there was a bigger jumbo tron screen to better see replays, though. The concessions would have to be my least favorite of the day. The food from the vendors was EXTREMELY expensive (more expensive than even DISNEY!) and it was not all that great. We had hamburgers and fries that cost $12 a plate and the burger was small and the bread was cold and somewhat stale. I would not recommend buying food from them again. The concession stands selling drinks and hot dogs were well staffed, but ran out of soft drinks and water at the middle of the 3rd quarter. This was unacceptable considering it was a beautiful day, but extremely sunny and warm. They should look at concessions and revamp the entire area. Overall, the experience was great and the fans all well behaved and family friendly!

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Outstanding

    by Daleherman on 1/3/11Florida Citrus Bowl - Orlando

    Every time Alabama scored we were out of our seat with excitement.

  • Rating: 4 out of 5

    ROLL TIDE!

    by MathRocks on 1/3/11Florida Citrus Bowl - Orlando

    Even though I was sitting on the wrong side of the field (couldn't find anything that said which side was which), it was a great place to watch the game (of course it helped that Alabama won and that there were Tide fans around me). They could spruce up the place. They need a giant replay screen at the opposite end of the field. The current one is too small and in the sun.

  • Rating: 4 out of 5

    UPRIGHT CLUB

    by NURSET98 on 1/3/11Florida Citrus Bowl - Orlando

    MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE BEEN COMING FOR THE PAST 3 YEARS, WAS VERY CROWDED THIS TIME. FELT LIKE I WAS AT DISNEY. NOT ENOUGH TONGS FOR FOOD, COULD HAVE USED AT LEAST 2-3 IN A BOWL, WHICH WOULD HAVE MADE THE LINES GO QUICKER. A COUPLE MORE BARTENDERS WOULD HAVE BEEN GOOD TOO, ESPECIALLY 4 FOR THAT AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WHICH WAS ANOTHER LONG LINE TO WAIT IN. HOSPITALITY WAS AWESOME, EVERYONE WAS VERY NICE, AND POLITE. I GIVE AN "A" FOR PRESENTATION, FOOD WAS GOOD, LOVED THE CHILI STATION!!!!. SEATS WERE OK. DIDN'T APPRECIATE THE KICKER PUNTING THE BALL OVER THE NET QUITE A FEW TIMES AND ACTUALLY HITTING THE TENT WE WERE ALL IN AND THEN BOUNCING ONTO WHERE WE SIT....WAS SURE IT WAS COMING TROUGH THE TENT....I THINK HE EVEN HIT AN UNSUSPECTED PATRON WITH THE FIRST ONE. OVER ALL, A GREAT EXPERIENCE IF YOU LIKE THE BUFFET STYLE ALL U CAN EAT AND DRINK AND THE FACT YOU DON'T HAVE TO SIT IN YOUR SEAT THE ENTIRE GAME TO WATCH IT.