Myrtle Beach Bowl

The Myrtle Beach Bowl is one of the newer additions to college football’s postseason lineup, bringing the excitement of bowl games to the scenic coastal city of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Established in 2020, the game is part of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) schedule and has quickly become a noteworthy event for players, fans, and the local community.

The Myrtle Beach Bowl was officially announced in November 2018 as part of an effort to expand the postseason opportunities for college football teams and create a new destination for fans. The game is organized by ESPN Events, a division of ESPN that operates several bowl games and sporting events across the country. The inaugural game took place on December 21, 2020, at Brooks Stadium on the campus of Coastal Carolina University.

Brooks Stadium, with a seating capacity of approximately 20,000, offers an intimate and fan-friendly environment. The stadium’s unique teal turf, often referred to as “The Surf Turf,” adds a distinctive flair to the game, setting it apart from other bowl venues.

The Myrtle Beach Bowl features teams from three conferences: Conference USA (C-USA), the Mid-American Conference (MAC), and the Sun Belt Conference. Each year, teams from these conferences are selected based on their regular-season performance and bowl eligibility, ensuring competitive and exciting matchups.

This multi-conference affiliation allows the Myrtle Beach Bowl to showcase a variety of programs and playing styles, contributing to its appeal for fans and viewers. The game also provides an opportunity for smaller programs to shine on a national stage.

The Impact of the Myrtle Beach Bowl

Though still in its infancy, the Myrtle Beach Bowl has already made a significant impact on the college football landscape and the local community:

  1. Player and Team Development: For participating teams, the bowl game serves as a reward for a successful season and provides additional practice time, which is particularly valuable for younger players and teams building for the future.
  2. Economic Boost: The bowl game attracts fans from across the country, boosting tourism and providing economic benefits to Myrtle Beach’s hospitality industry during the typically quieter winter season.
  3. National Exposure: Televised on ESPN, the game offers national exposure for the participating teams and their conferences, highlighting emerging talent and creating memorable moments.

The Myrtle Beach Bowl continues to grow in prominence as part of the college football postseason. Its location in a popular tourist destination, combined with its affiliation with three dynamic conferences, positions it as an attractive option for fans and teams alike.

As the game establishes its traditions and builds its legacy, it has the potential to become a staple of the bowl season, offering unique experiences both on and off the field. Whether it’s the charm of the coastal setting, the excitement of the matchups, or the teal turf at Brooks Stadium, the Myrtle Beach Bowl encapsulates the spirit of college football and its ability to bring communities together.

 

Past Myrtle Beach Bowl teams & scores:

  • 2024 Myrtle Beach Bowl – UTSA 44 – Coastal Carolina 15 – December 23, 2020
  • 2023 Myrtle Beach Bowl – Ohio 41 – Georgia Southern 21 – December 16, 2020
  • 2022 Myrtle Beach Bowl – Marshall 28 – UConn 14 – December 19, 2020
  • 2021 Myrtle Beach Bowl – Tulsa 30 – Old Dominion 17 – December 21, 2021
  • 2020 Myrtle Beach Bowl – Appalachian State 56 – North Texas 28 – Dec. 21, 2020