The Orlando Citrus Bowl Stadium is all set to reinvent itself. Following a massive demolition and reconstruction programme that began in January 2014, the stadium will be ready for its first event – the Florida Classic – on November 22, 2014.
The $207-million project is expected to be 95 per cent complete by mid-November, prior to the major event. Construction will continue on the facility the rest of the year through the high school state football finals and the Russell and Capital One bowls, with the projected finish date around April 2015. After the completion, the Citrus Bowl will boast of 80 per cent new construction.
In the reconstructed stadium, there will be a new lower tier, new concessions and restrooms, and a new exterior facade. The renovation of Citrus Bowl has been undertaken to draw new high-profile events like neutral-site college football games, NFL pre-season match-ups and concerts.
The Orlando Citrus Bowl Stadium currently serves as home to annual events including the Capital One Bowl, Russell Athletic Bowl, Florida Classic and Monster Jam.
The venue has kept itself relevant to the demand of an ever-changing world of live sports and entertainment with a continuous upgradation programme. This ‘changing-with-the-need-of-the-time’ attitude has seen the Citrus Bowl host a range of events from World Cup football games to Wrestlemania to the Rolling Stones.
The Orlando Citrus Bowl has always been a prized possession for the citizens of Orlando owing to its reputation as the largest sporting venue in the city. With a seating capacity of over 70,000 spectators, the Citrus Bowl has played host to some of the most exciting bowl games and legendary performers. This has also put the stadium under national spotlight on many occasions.
At the time of its construction in 1936, it was knows as the Orlando Stadium. Over the years, the stadium has seen a number of renovations including the one that increased its seating capacity from the original 10,000 to over 70,000; and the rebranding to the legendary Citrus Bowl.