Gasparilla Bowl

The St. Petersburg Bowl, now known as the Gasparilla Bowl, is a college football bowl game that was first played in 2008. Originally held in St. Petersburg, Florida, at Tropicana Field, the bowl has since relocated to Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. This bowl game offers a thrilling postseason opportunity for teams from a variety of conferences, featuring exciting matchups and providing fans with a unique football experience in Florida.

Early History and Name Changes

The game was initially called the St. Petersburg Bowl and underwent several rebrands due to sponsorship changes:

  • St. Petersburg Bowl (2008–2013): Sponsored by magicJack, a telecommunications company, during its inaugural year.
  • Bitcoin St. Petersburg Bowl (2014): For a brief period, the game embraced the cryptocurrency trend with Bitcoin as its title sponsor.
  • Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl (2017–2019): This rebranding reflected a connection to Tampa’s pirate-themed culture and Gasparilla festival.
  • Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl (2020–present): The bowl’s current name reflects its ongoing sponsorship by the mortgage lender.

Gasparilla Bowl Conference Tie-Ins

The Gasparilla Bowl typically features teams from the American Athletic Conference (AAC), Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), Conference USA (C-USA), or the Southeastern Conference (SEC). These tie-ins have provided diverse and competitive matchups over the years.

Location and Venue

For its first decade, the bowl was played at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, giving it a distinct feel as one of the few bowl games held in a domed stadium. In 2018, the game moved to Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, a larger and more traditional football venue, allowing for an enhanced experience for fans and players alike.

Cultural Impact & Economic Contribution

The bowl game aligns with the spirit of Florida’s Gulf Coast, celebrating the region’s rich football traditions and festive atmosphere. Its connection to the Gasparilla festival—Tampa’s famous pirate-themed celebration—adds a unique cultural flair to the event. As a part of Tampa Bay’s sports and tourism ecosystem, the Gasparilla Bowl has generated significant economic benefits for the region. It attracts fans from across the country and provides national exposure for participating teams and local businesses.

 

Past Gasparilla Bowl teams & scores

  • 2024 Gasparilla Bowl – Florida 33 – Tulane 8 – December 20
  • 2023 Gasparilla Bowl – Georgia Tech 30 – UCF 17 – December 22
  • 2022 Gasparilla Bowl – Wake Forest 27 – Missouri 17 – December 23
  • 2021 Gasparilla Bowl – UCF 29 – Florida 17 – December 23
  • 2020 Gasparilla Bowl – Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
  • 2019 Gasparilla Bowl – UCF 48 – Marshall 25 – December 23
  • 2018 Gasparilla Bowl – Marshall 38 – South Florida 20 – December 20
  • 2017 Gasparilla Bowl – Temple 28 – FIU 3 – December 21
  • 2016 St. Petersburg Bowl – Mississippi State 17 – Miami (OH) 16 – December 26
  • 2015 St. Petersburg Bowl – Marshall 16 – Connecticut 10 – December 26
  • 2014 St. Petersburg Bowl – NC State 34 – UCF 27 – December 26
  • 2013 Beef ‘O’ Bradys’ St. Pete Bowl – East Carolina 37 – Ohio 20 – December 23
  • 2012 Beef ‘O’ Bradys’ St. Pete Bowl – UCF 38 – Ball State 17 – December 21
  • 2011 Beef ‘O’ Bradys’ St. Pete Bowl – Marshall 20 – FIU 10 – December 20
  • 2010 St. Petersburg Bowl – Louisville 31 – Southern Miss 28 – December 21
  • 2009 St. Petersburg Bowl – Rutgers 45 – UCF 24 – Dec. 19, 2009
  • 2008 St. Petersburg Bowl – USF 41 – Memphis 14 – Dec. 20, 2008