The ReliaQuest Bowl Game has been scheduled for New Year’s Eve, at Raymond James Stadium, with a noon kick-off, ESPN and the Tampa Bay Bowl Association announced Thursday.
The game will be telecast internationally, on ESPN.
It’s the first bowl of the day’s lineup, leading into the quarterfinal round of the College Football Playoff.
The ReliaQuest Bowl will match SEC teams with those in the Big Ten Conference. Both leagues are set to add new teams this fall.
“We are thrilled to kick off an exciting day of games leading into the New Year’s holiday,” said bowl chairman Greg Orchard. “We expect another terrific SEC vs Big Ten match up, competing for the ReliaQuest Bowl Championship Trophy in front of an international television audience, on ESPN.”
Ticket details have not yet been announced but will go on sale sometime in the fall, through Ticketmaster. Premium ticket packages are available now, through the bowl office, by calling 813-874-BOWL.
The ReliaQuest Bowl is a major attractor for out-of-market football fans from more than 40 states. The bowl has an estimated economic impact of more than $1.2 million for the Tampa Bay community, and it generates tens of millions of dollars in exposure for the region.
The bowl has contributed some $176 million to universities over its history, according to organizers, and its charitable giving initiative has donated at least $500,000 to area non-profits, including more than $4 million to nearly 200 local charities, since 2016.