Game: Orange Bowl
Notable History: Second-oldest bowl game in the US, behind the Rose Bowl
Venue: Hard Rock Stadium
City: Miami Gardens, Fla.
Part Of: College Football Playoffs
Affiliations: Atlantic Coast Conference, followed by Southeastern Conference and Big Ten Conference
The Orange Bowl had its start in 1935, following the lead of the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. It was a great way to showcase what Florida had to offer in terms of warm winter weather, hosting festivities and hosting major sporting events. For many years, the game featured a matchup involving the champion of the Big Eight Conference. After the college football conferences changed significantly, the Orange Bowl then became the host of a game between the ACC or Big East champion and another major contender. It's now part of the
College Football Playoffs
. It has hosted the national championship game two times as well as the College Football Playoff semifinals two times. Some of the teams that have most frequently taken the field at the Orange Bowl are Oklahoma, Nebraska, Alabama, Miami and Florida State. Historically, the game has been held at the beginning of the new year, anywhere from January 1 to 4. With the restructuring of the college bowl format, the game was moved to the end of December, with the exact date varying slightly each year. Find your Orange Bowl tickets at StubHub.
Big names have taken to the field at the Orange Bowl games. In recent years, Oklahoma has battled Clemson and Alabama. Michigan has taken on Florida State, and Wisconsin has gone head on against the home team of Miami. 2004 saw a classic matchup with Miami going against Florida State. In the 1990s, both
Miami
and
Florida State
were regulars at the Orange Bowl, often taking on Nebraska.
The stadium can hold almost 65,000 spectators for football games. Most of the seats are split between the upper and lower decks. There are about 10,000 club seats, which are slightly wider than the standard seats. More than 200 private suites are available for groups between 10 and 24.
Tailgating is typically allowed. You can use the area directly behind your vehicle as long as you don't block the roadways or pathways. Gas and charcoal barbecue grills are permitted as well. Tailgating usually starts about four hours before the game.
The Hard Rock Stadium is a fun, vibrant place where one of America's favorite games can be celebrated. The stadium has 19 murals created by international artists. There are numerous concessions around the stadium, showcasing the culture and flair that Miami is known for. Cuisines that are featured include Mexican, Asian, Creole and American. The Club level has concessions exclusively available to ticket holders in this area. Both team bands are usually present at the game to pump up the excitement. Home-team bands are stationed in section 131, and visiting-team bands are set up in section 105.
Many well-known players have taken the field at the Orange Bowl. The list of athletes starts with Joe Namath, who was the quarterback at Alabama during the 1965 bowl game. Bernie Kosar of Miami, Spencer Tillman of Oklahoma and Charlie Ward of Florida State were some other accomplished players who took part in the game.
The Capital One Orange Bowl Fan Fest is a free event that entertains ticket holders before kickoff. There are food trucks, live music, visits from team marching bands and cheerleaders and interactive games. There are also displays showcasing classic sports memorabilia.