Citrus Bowl

The Citrus Bowl, currently known as the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl due to sponsorship, is one of the most storied and prestigious college football bowl games in the United States. Held annually in Orlando, Florida, at the historic Camping World Stadium, the game has been a prominent fixture in postseason college football since its founding in 1947. Over the decades, the Citrus Bowl has grown in stature, attracting top-tier teams and showcasing thrilling matchups.

The Citrus Bowl was originally established as the Tangerine Bowl, created to provide smaller colleges with postseason opportunities. Its first game, played in 1947, featured a matchup between Catawba College and Maryville College, but as the bowl gained prominence, it shifted its focus to higher-profile teams and conferences, evolving into a marquee event on the college football calendar.

The game was renamed the Florida Citrus Bowl in 1983 to reflect its growing prestige and ties to Florida’s citrus industry. In 2003, it became the Capital One Bowl through a sponsorship agreement, before returning to its Citrus Bowl name in 2015.

The Citrus Bowl traditionally features matchups between powerhouse programs from the Big Ten Conference and the Southeastern Conference (SEC). This pairing has ensured competitive and nationally relevant games, as both conferences are known for their strong teams and passionate fanbases. Before its current format, the bowl also featured teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and other conferences.

Notable Citrus Bowl Matchups and Moments

The Citrus Bowl has hosted numerous legendary teams, players, and moments. Some of the most memorable include:

  • 1997: Peyton Manning led the Tennessee Volunteers to a 48–28 victory over Northwestern in a high-scoring affair.
  • 2004: Georgia defeated Purdue in a thrilling overtime game, 34–27.
  • 2015: Missouri’s dominant defense shut out Minnesota for a 33–17 victory.
  • 2022: Kentucky, led by star quarterback Will Levis, defeated Iowa in a dramatic 20–17 finish.

The Citrus Bowl is played at Camping World Stadium, located in downtown Orlando. The venue has undergone significant renovations over the years, enhancing the fan experience with upgraded seating, amenities, and facilities. The warm Florida weather and proximity to world-class attractions like Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando make the Citrus Bowl a popular destination for teams and fans alike. The Citrus Bowl is a key part of Orlando’s tourism and entertainment ecosystem. Each year, it attracts tens of thousands of fans, generating significant economic benefits for the region through tourism, hospitality, and related industries. The game also garners national television coverage, providing exposure for Orlando and its iconic landmarks.

With over seven decades of history, the Citrus Bowl is a cherished tradition in college football. Its reputation for hosting competitive matchups between elite programs has solidified its status as one of the premier non-College Football Playoff bowl games. From thrilling finishes to unforgettable performances, the Citrus Bowl continues to captivate fans and celebrate the spirit of college football.

  • Buy Citrus Bowl Tickets
  • Map of Orlando, Florida
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  • Seating Chart @ Citrus Bowl
  • Official Citrus Bowl Web site

 

Past Citrus Bowl teams & scores

  • 2024 Citrus Bowl – Illinois 21 – South Carolina 17 – December 31, 2024
  • 2023 Citrus Bowl – Tennessee 35 – Iowa 0 – January 1, 2024
  • 2022 Citrus Bowl – LSU 63 – Purdue 7 – January 2, 2023
  • 2021 Citrus Bowl – Kentucky 20 – Iowa 17 – January 1, 2022
  • 2020 Citrus Bowl – Northwestern 35 – Auburn 19 – January 1, 2021
  • 2019 Citrus Bowl – Alabama 35 – Michigan 16 – January 1, 2020
  • 2018 Citrus Bowl – Kentucky 27 – Penn State 24 – January 1, 2019
  • 2017 Citrus Bowl – Notre Dame 21 – LSU 17 – January 1, 2018
  • 2016 Citrus Bowl – LSU 29 – Louisville 9 – December 31, 2016
  • 2015 Citrus Bowl – Michigan 41 – Florida 7 – January 1, 2016
  • 2014 Citrus Bowl – Missouri 33 – Minnesota 17 – Jan. 1, 2015
  • 2013 Capital One Bowl – South Carolina 34 – Wisconsin 24 – January 1, 2014
  • 2012 Capital One Bowl – Georgia 45 – Nebraska 31 – January 1, 2013
  • 2011 Capital One Bowl – South Carolina 30 – Nebraska 13 – January 2, 2012
  • 2010 Capital One Bowl – Alabama 49 – Michigan State 7 – January 1, 2011
  • 2009 Capital One Bowl – Penn State 19 – LSU 17 – Jan. 1, 2010 1 pm ET
  • 2008 Capital One Bowl – Georgia 24 – Michigan State 12 – Jan. 1, 2008
  • 2007 Capital One Bowl – Michigan 41 – Florida 35 – Jan. 1, 2008
  • 2006 Capital One Bowl – Wisconsin 17 – Arkansas 14 – Jan. 1, 2007
  • 2005 Capital One Bowl – Wisconsin 24 – Auburn 10 – Jan. 2, 2006
  • 2004 Capital One Bowl – Iowa 30 – LSU 25 – Jan. 1, 2005
  • 2003 Capital One Bowl – Georgia 34 – Purdue 27 – OT – Jan. 1, 2004
  • 2002 Florida Citrus Bowl – Auburn 13 – Penn State 9 – Jan. 1, 2003
  • 2001 Florida Citrus Bowl – Tennessee 45 – Michigan 17 – Jan. 1, 2002
  • 2000 Florida Citrus Bowl – Michigan 31 – Auburn 28 – Jan. 1, 2001
  • 1999 Florida Citrus Bowl – Michigan State 37 – Florida 34 – Jan. 1, 2000
  • 1998 Florida Citrus Bowl – Michigan 45 – Arkansas 31 – Jan. 1, 1999
  • 1997 Florida Citrus Bowl – Tennessee 48, Northwestern 28 – Jan. 1, 1998
  • 1996 Florida Citrus Bowl – Tennessee 20, Ohio State 14 – Jan. 1, 1997
  • 1995 Florida Citrus Bowl – Alabama 24, Ohio State 17 – Jan. 1, 1996
  • 1994 Florida Citrus Bowl – Penn State 31, Tennessee 13 – Jan. 2, 1995
  • 1993 Florida Citrus Bowl – Georgia 21, Ohio State 14 – Jan. 1, 1994
  • 1992 Florida Citrus Bowl – California 37, Clemson 13 – Jan. 1, 1993
  • 1991 Florida Citrus Bowl – Georgia Tech 45, Nebraska 21 – Jan. 1, 1992
  • 1990 Florida Citrus Bowl – Illinois 31, Virginia 21 – Jan. 1, 1991
  • 1989 Florida Citrus Bowl – Clemson 13, Oklahoma 6 – Jan. 1, 1990
  • 1988 Florida Citrus Bowl – Clemson 35, Penn State 10 – Jan. 2, 1989
  • 1986 Florida Citrus Bowl – Auburn 16, USC 7 – Jan. 1, 1987
  • 1985 Florida Citrus Bowl – Ohio State 10, BYU 7 – Dec. 28, 1985
  • 1984 Florida Citrus Bowl – Florida State 17, Georgia 17 – Dec. 22, 1984
  • 1983 Florida Citrus Bowl – Tennessee 30, Maryland 23 – Dec. 17, 1983
  • 1982 Tangerine Bowl – Auburn 33, Boston College 26 – Dec. 18, 1982
  • 1981 Tangerine Bowl – Missouri 19, Southern Mississippi 17 – Dec. 19, 1981
  • 1980 Tangerine Bowl – Florida 35, Maryland 20 – Dec. 20, 1980
  • 1979 Tangerine Bowl – LSU 34, Wake Forest 10 – Dec. 22, 1979
  • 1978 Tangerine Bowl – North Carolina State 30, Pittsburgh 17 – Dec. 23, 1978
  • 1977 Tangerine Bowl – Florida State 40, Texas Tech 17 – Dec. 23, 1977
  • 1976 Tangerine Bowl – Oklahoma State 49, BYU 21 – Dec. 18, 1976
  • 1975 Tangerine Bowl – Miami-Ohio 20, South Carolina 7 – Dec. 20, 1975
  • 1974 Tangerine Bowl – Miami-Ohio 21, Georgia 10 – Dec. 21, 1974
  • 1973 Tangerine Bowl – Miami-Ohio 16, Florida 7 – Dec. 22, 1973
  • 1972 Tangerine Bowl – Tampa 21, Kent State 18 – Dec. 29, 1972
  • 1971 Tangerine Bowl – Toledo 28, Richmond 3 – Dec. 28, 1971
  • 1970 Tangerine Bowl – Toledo 40, William & Mary 12 – Dec. 28, 1970
  • 1969 Tangerine Bowl – Toledo 56, Davidson 33 – Dec. 26, 1969
  • 1968 Tangerine Bowl – Richmond 49, Ohio 42 – Dec. 27, 1968
  • 1967 Tangerine Bowl – Tenn.-Martin 25, West Chester 8 – Dec. 16, 1967
  • 1966 Tangerine Bowl – Morgan State 14, West Chester 6 – Dec. 10, 1966
  • 1965 Tangerine Bowl – East Carolina 31, Maine 0 – Dec. 11, 1965
  • 1964 Tangerine Bowl – East Carolina 14, Massachusetts 13 – Dec. 12, 1964
  • 1963 Tangerine Bowl – Western Kentucky 27, Coast Guard 0 – Dec. 28, 1963
  • 1962 Tangerine Bowl – Houston 49, Miami (OH) 21 – Dec. 22, 1962
  • 1961 Tangerine Bowl – Lamar Tech 21, Middle Tennessee State 14 – Dec. 29, 1961
  • 1959 Tangerine Bowl – Middle Tennessee State 21, Presbyterian 12 – Jan. 1, 1960
  • 1958 Tangerine Bowl – East Texas State 26, Missouri Valley 7 – Dec. 27, 1958
  • 1957 Tangerine Bowl – East Texas State 10, Mississippi Southern 9 – Jan. 1, 1958
  • 1956 Tangerine Bowl – West Texas A&M 20, Mississippi Southern 13 – Jan. 1, 1957
  • 1955 Tangerine Bowl – Juniata 6, Missouri Valley 6 – Jan. 2, 1956
  • 1954 Tangerine Bowl – Nebraska-Omaha 7, Eastern Kentucky 6 – Jan. 1, 1955
  • 1953 Tangerine Bowl – Arkansas State 7, East Texas State 7 – Jan. 1, 1954
  • 1952 Tangerine Bowl – East Texas State 33, Tennessee Tech 0 – Jan. 1, 1953
  • 1951 Tangerine Bowl – Stetson 35, Arkansas State 20 – Jan. 1, 1952
  • 1950 Tangerine Bowl – Morris Harvey 35, Emory & Henry 14 – Jan. 1, 1951
  • 1949 Tangerine Bowl – Saint Vincent 7, Emory & Henry 6 – Jan. 2, 1950
  • 1948 Tangerine Bowl – Murray State 21, Sul Ross State 21 – Jan. 1, 1949
  • 1947 Tangerine Bowl – Catawba 7, Marshall 0 – Jan. 1, 1948
  • 1946 Tangerine Bowl – Catawba 31, Maryville 6 – Jan. 1, 1947