Melissa Donovan
One of college football’s most storied postseason traditions returns to Orlando this New Year’s Eve as the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl marks its 80th edition at Camping World Stadium.
First played in 1947 as the Tangerine Bowl, the game is the seventh-oldest collegiate bowl in the country. The inaugural event was funded by members of Orlando’s Elks Lodge #1079, who each contributed $100 to get the bowl off the ground. Nearly eight decades later, the Citrus Bowl has grown into a marquee New Year’s showcase and a cornerstone of Orlando’s sports calendar.
A Legacy Bowl in the College Football Playoff Era
Since 1993, the Citrus Bowl has consistently featured elite programs from the Big Ten and Southeastern Conference. In the current College Football Playoff era, the game continues to host the top available teams from those conferences that are not selected for the CFP rotation of bowls, which includes the Rose, Sugar, Fiesta, Orange, Cotton and Peach bowls.
The game moved to a New Year’s Day slot in 1987 and has remained a holiday tradition, with exceptions only when Jan. 1 falls on a Sunday. This season’s contest will be played slightly earlier as part of the calendar alignment for the expanded postseason.
Texas vs. Michigan Headlines the 2025 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl
The 2025 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl will feature No. 13 Texas and No. 18 Michigan, adding another chapter to a matchup with limited but memorable history. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Dec. 31, with live coverage on ABC.
This will be just the third all-time meeting between the Longhorns and Wolverines. Texas won the first two encounters, including a dramatic 38-37 victory in the 2005 Rose Bowl and a regular-season win in Ann Arbor during the 2024 campaign. The game also marks Texas’ first-ever postseason appearance in Orlando.
Michigan enters the bowl making its seventh Citrus Bowl appearance, the most by any program. The Wolverines are 4-2 all-time in the event, with previous wins against Florida, Auburn and Arkansas. A victory this year would tie Michigan with Tennessee for the most Citrus Bowl wins in history.
From the Tangerine Bowl to a National Stage
The Citrus Bowl debuted on Jan. 1, 1947, when Catawba defeated Maryville 31-6 in the inaugural Tangerine Bowl. Over the decades, the event evolved into one of college football’s premier legacy bowls, bolstered by more than 30 years of partnership with the SEC and Big Ten.
The 80th edition underscores the bowl’s staying power and its role in shaping Orlando as a major sports destination.
Fan Favorites, Music and Mascot Make a Return
Adding to the celebration, beloved mascot Prince Cheddward returns to the sidelines after years of fan demand. Fans attending the game will also be treated to a free postgame concert by multi-platinum country music artist Jordan Davis, presented by Geico, helping Orlando ring in 2026 after the final whistle.
Orlando Restaurants Join the 80th Anniversary Celebration
In honor of the milestone year, the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl partnered with local restaurants, breweries and coffee shops on limited-edition food and beverage offerings available throughout December. Each collaboration highlights Orlando’s culinary creativity, with a portion of proceeds benefiting Lift Orlando and its community investment efforts in the West Lakes area near Camping World Stadium.
Participating locations and featured items include:
Pizza Bruno (Maitland Social exclusive): Triple Threat platter featuring Cheez-It knots, Nashville hot meatball sliders and cannoli knots with Mike’s Hot Honey
Pizzeria Valdiano (Winter Park): Buffalo chicken pizza with a Cheez-It crust
Ivanhoe Park Brewing Company: 80 Years of Impact Citra Blonde Ale
Black Phin Coffee Bar: Citrus Bowl Mont Blanc and Phin Sunrise
Framework Craft Coffee House: Orange Crush and ’91 National Champ espresso drink
Gnarly Barley: The Zonie cocktail and ’77 Tangerine Bowl Nuggies
Phat Ash Bakes: Luscious Lemon cookie dough dessert
The Neighbors: Cheez-It Citrus Bowl cocktail served with Cheez-It crackers
Bowl Week Headquarters at Live! at The Pointe Orlando
Live! at The Pointe Orlando will serve as the official Fan Headquarters for Bowl Week 2025, welcoming fans from across the country with pep rallies, team-themed restaurant takeovers and interactive photo opportunities with the Citrus Bowl trophy.
Scheduled pep rallies include:
Texas: Dec. 30 at 1:20 p.m. ET
Michigan: Dec. 30 at 4 p.m. ET
Team bars for the week will include Sports & Social for Michigan fans and PBR Cowboy Bar for Texas supporters. Featured menu items across the venue will include Cheez-It–flavored wings, Cheez-It mozzarella sticks and a special BBQ pizza from Sal’s Pizza.
As the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl celebrates 80 years, the 2025 edition blends college football tradition with music, food and fan-driven events, reinforcing its place as one of the sport’s most enduring New Year’s classics.
For more information and tickets, visit the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl’s official site.
Comments