Division: NCAA Division 1
Conference Tie-ins: SEC and ACC
Previous Winner: Duke
Payout: $1,200,000
Location: Shreveport, Louisiana
Stadium: Independence Stadium
Inaugurated in 1976, the year of America's Bicentennial, the Independence Bowl is a post-season NCAA football matchup that brings together some of the most powerful teams in the sport. These teams often have huge fan bases that are willing to travel around the country to support their school, creating an electric atmosphere at
Independence Stadium
that simply can't be matched.
Ole Miss
and Louisiana Tech have the most appearances at the Independence Bowl with Alabama, Virginia Tech, Missouri and other schools tying for third. The most notable game in the event's history occurred in December 2000 between Texas A&M and Mississippi State. The game was nicknamed the “ ”Snow Bowl“ ” when a large snowstorm, which is rare for the area, hit the stadium and blanketed the field in white powder. Another noteworthy Independence Bowl occurred in 2015 when Tulsa and Virginia Tech scored 76 points total in a single half, a record for the NCAA at the time. Get your tickets at StubHub so that you don't miss out on memorable games like these!
Tickets for this year's Independence Bowl can be found at StubHub. There are two main tiers of seating at Independence Stadium as well as several suites. Available tickets can be sorted by best value, best price or best seat.
Many famous football players have participated in the Independence Bowl. Kevin Faulk, who played for the
New York Giants
for 13 years, played for LSU in 1995 when he broke records for most rushing yards and most yards per carry. Daniel Jones broke the record for most passing touchdowns in 2018. A few months later, he was drafted in the first round by the New York Giants.
Independence Stadium is an open-air stadium with a capacity of 49,565. It was constructed in 1924, when it was first known as State Fair Stadium, and is currently located just off I-20 right next to the arena for the
Shreveport Mudbugs
. The stadium has been renovated multiple times during its history, including recently in 2014.
Tailgating has been a big tradition for fans who hold Independence Bowl tickets for many years. The White Lot is specifically reserved for this purpose, and access to grass areas can be purchased to make people more comfortable. Each school participating in the game typically has at least a few clubs or organizations that provide food and host activities. Both private and public options are available. Despite potentially cold temperatures, the atmosphere is very festive and energetic.
There are many large parking lots surrounding Independence Stadium and in nearby areas. Passes can be purchased through the Louisiana State Fair. Online sales for passes end a few days before the game, so people planning to drive should get their passes as soon as possible. Shuttle services are also available to the stadium from Pierre Bossier Mall in Bossier City and Mall St. Vincent in Shreveport.
Ole Miss has won the Independence Bowl four out of its five appearances, making it the most winning team in the event's history. The
Air Force Falcons
team has the second most victories, winning all three of its appearances. The Southeastern Conference has the most wins with an 18-4 record. This is far more than the Atlantic Coast Conference, which only has six victories in its history.