We have a new moniker for the Citrus Bowl, as a naming-rights deal brings a corporate moniker, Camping World Stadium, to what’s developed into an important college-football venue.
Terms of the naming-rights deal, which runs through 2024, were not released.
This isn’t the first name change for the Orlando stadium, which has been known at various points as Orlando Stadium, Tangerine Bowl and the Florida Citrus Bowl. The venue underwent a $207.7 million reconstruction in 2014, which led to an expanded offering of events and football games.
Camping World is a Kentucky-based corporation that has expanded across the United States, offering equipment and services to RV owners. Its owner, Marcus Lemonis, is best known as a serial entrepreneur and host of CNBC’s The Profit.
“We’re proud to partner with Florida Citrus Sports and the Central Florida community to help build memories for the next generation of residents and visitors,” Lemonis said in a press statement. “Florida is a key market for us as we have 14 Camping World SuperCenters in this state, more than any other. Having a stadium naming rights deal in place was extremely important for us as we look toward the future. With 60 million-plus visitors to the Orlando area each year, we look forward to strengthening our brand and supporting the growing RV and camping community that has allowed us to be successful in this market.”
Camping World Stadium is the only venue to host three college bowl games: the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl, Russell Athletic Bowl and AutoNation Cure Bowl. The deal also covers sponsorship of early season neutral-site football games debuting this Labor Day, which will be named the “Camping World Kickoff.” There are three kickoff games scheduled. The Florida State Seminoles and Ole Miss Rebels are set to square off at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, September 5, as the day’s only game and will be televised nationally on ESPN. The 2018 game will showcase Alabama and Louisville. The highly anticipated 2019 match-up has just been confirmed between instate rivals Florida and Miami.