By Jim Carchidi
December 9, 2025
Camping World Stadium is ready to continue its college bowl tradition with the 2025 Pop-Tarts and Cheez-It Citrus bowls. However, with significant stadium renovations planned, the University of Central Florida (UCF) may provide a substitute venue for next year's games.
Pop-Tarts Bowl: BYU vs. Georgia Tech
A Pop-Tarts Bowl mascot is lowered into a giant toaster before being served to the winning team. Image courtesy of Pop-Tarts Bowl Facebook page
The No. 11 BYU Cougars will return to Orlando for their third postseason appearance, facing the No. 22 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the Pop-Tarts Bowl on Dec. 27 at 3:30 p.m. The matchup marks the fifth meeting between the Cougars (11-2, 8-1 Big 12) and Yellow Jackets (9-3, 6-2 ACC), with BYU leading the series 3-1. As Pop-Tarts Bowl tradition dictates, the winning team can devour their choice of the game’s edible mascots. This year, two teams of three mascots will vie for the honor, with the winning football team selecting their favorite tasty trio to serve as the post-game meal.
The game was originally based in Miami and dubbed the Blockbuster Bowl. The inaugural 1990 matchup pit Penn State against Florida State with more than 74,000 fans in attendance. The event moved to Orlando in 2001 and featured several title sponsors until Pop-Tarts signed a multi-year agreement in 2023 with Florida Citrus Sports.
For Pop-Tarts Bowl ticket purchases, visit the official event website.
Cheez-It Citrus Bowl: Texas vs. Michigan
The winning Cheez-It Citrus Bowl coach gets a ceremonial Cheez-It dump at the whistle. Image courtesy of Cheez-It Citrus Bowl Facebook page
The Cheez-It Citrus Bowl will celebrate its 80th year on Dec. 31, as No. 13 Texas faces No. 18 Michigan at 3 p.m. The Longhorns (9-3, 6-2 SEC) will play their first postseason game in Orlando, while the Wolverines (9-3, 7-2 Big Ten) return for their seventh Citrus Bowl appearance. This will be the third all-time meeting between the two programs, with Texas previously winning in the 2005 Rose Bowl and a 2024 regular-season matchup at Michigan.
The Cheez-It Citrus Bowl began as the Tangerine Bowl in 1947 and is the country's seventh-oldest collegiate bowl. The game has been a New Year’s Day tradition since 1987, except when the holiday falls on a Sunday. CompUSA became the game's first title sponsor in 1994 with companies like Capitol One and Buffalo Wild Wings later signing long-term agreements. The Cheez-It title sponsorship began in 2023.
Game info and tickets can be found on the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl official site.
Bounce House Backup Plan
UCF's Acrisure Bounce House opened in 2007 and is one of the top sports venues in the southeast. Image courtesy of UCF Athletics
Camping World Stadium will start a $400 million renovation in January that will add seating, a new exterior, and upgrades to concourses and concessions. The project, funded primarily by Orange County Tourism Tax revenue, is expected to finish late in the fourth quarter but officials are hopeful construction will not affect next year's bow schedule. As a precaution, UCF’s Acrisure Bounce House stadium is being considered as a temporary location.
According to an Orlando Sentinel report, Florida Citrus Sports CEO Steve Hogan has initiated discussions with UCF Athletics Director Terry Mohajir about relocating the 2026 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, Pop-Tarts Bowl, and Florida Classic if needed. The UCF Board of Trustees voted on Dec. 4 to support the proposal and work with Florida Citrus Sports on further details. Meanwhile, Acrisure Bounce House is undergoing its own $90 million renovation, slated for completion before the 2026 football season.
Fan Experiences and Bowl Week Activities
Live! at The Pointe Orlando will host fan events and experiences throughout Bowl Week. Image courtesy of Cheez-It Citrus Bowl Facebook page.
Both bowl games will air on ABC and fans have their share of in-person activities leading up to game day. Live! at The Pointe Orlando will serve as Fan Headquarters throughout Bowl Week, with team-themed restaurant takeovers, exclusive photo opportunities, band performances, and campus-style events.
The official Pop-Tarts Bowl tailgate opens December 27 at 11:30 a.m. at Tinker Field, featuring live entertainment, interactive games, inflatables, and displays. A special ticketed pregame event begins at noon, offering unlimited food and drinks, live music, and performances by participating teams’ marching bands.
The official Cheez-It Citrus Bowl tailgate starts December 31 at 11 a.m. at Tinker Field, with games, inflatables, face painters, and local food vendors. A special ticketed party follows at 11:30 a.m., and fans can ring in 2026 with a free postgame concert by country artist Jordan Davis.
General tailgate admission is free. Tickets for special pregame parties are available at the Florida Citrus Sports events page.
Sponsor: The Orlando Real is sponsored by the Pozek Group — the #1 real estate team in Orlando and the Official Real Estate Team of the Orlando Magic.
About the Author
Jim Carchidi is an Orlando journalist and photographer with previous work at the Orlando Sentinel and Orlando Business Journal. He covers development, arts, culture, and local stories for The Orlando Real.
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