News

Orlando Bowl Games Shine in Record Bowl Season

Florida Citrus Sports’ two bowl games delivered on the national stage this postseason, as the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl and Pop-Tarts Bowl helped power one of the strongest bowl seasons in more than a decade. The Cheez-It Citrus Bowl finished as the most-watched non-College Football Playoff game of the entire bowl season and outrated two of the CFP’s first-round playoff games. The matchup averaged 9.1 million viewers on ABC and peaked at approximately 15 million viewers, marking the Citrus Bowl’s highest […]

Brazil, Colombia and Croatia to Compete in “Road To 26” Friendlies at Camping World Stadium This March

 Orlando will host Colombia vs. Croatia on March 26 and Brazil vs. Croatia on March 31 ORLANDO, Florida — Three of international soccer’s top men’s national teams will visit Orlando for a pair of matches this March on the Road to 26. Camping World Stadium will host Colombia vs. Croatia on March 26, and Croatia vs. Brazil on March 31. Colombia and Croatia is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 26. It will be the […]

Matchups Announced for Pop-Tarts Bowl and Cheez-It Citrus Bowl

BYU to meet Georgia Tech in 2025 Pop-Tarts Bowl; Texas–Michigan set for 80th Cheez-It Citrus Bowl ORLANDO, Florida (Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025) — Florida Citrus Sports announced Sunday that No. 12 BYU will face No. 22 Georgia Tech in this year’s Pop-Tarts Bowl and No. 13 Texas will meet No. 18 Michigan in the 80th Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, highlighting a marquee 2025 Bowl Week at Camping World Stadium. The Pop-Tarts Bowl will kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, […]

Florida Citrus Sports Launches Retail Partnerships Celebrating 80th Cheez-It Citrus Bowl Season

ORLANDO, Florida (Friday, Nov. 14, 2025) — Florida Citrus Sports (FCS) today announced the launch of a series of limited-edition food and beverage collaborations with some of Central Florida’s favorite breweries, restaurants, coffee shops and more, celebrating the 80th playing of the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on New Year’s Eve. The new retail partnership series highlights Orlando’s vibrant culinary community and invites fans to participate in the 80th season celebration in their own neighborhoods. Each collaboration features custom menu items inspired […]

Shannon Clark, Chrissy Elliott Receive Top Honors Celebrating Women in Sports Leadership

As our 80th Citrus Bowl season continues, Florida Citrus Sports is proud to celebrate two members of its leadership team who have been recognized by a pair of Central Florida’s leading organizations for their outstanding contributions to the sports and events industry.  Chief Customer Officer Shannon Clark has been named the 2025 Women of Inspiration Award recipient by WISE Greater Orlando, while Chrissy Elliott, FCS’ Executive Vice President of Event Operations, has been selected by the Greater Orlando Sports Commission […]

Steve Hogan Marks 30 Years of Leadership at Florida Citrus Sports

ORLANDO, Florida  — Florida Citrus Sports is proud to recognize Chief Executive Officer Steve Hogan, who this week celebrates 30 years of service to the organization and the Central Florida community. A Chicago-area native and UCF graduate, Hogan joined the team at FCS on Aug. 3, 1995, and has served as CEO since Aug. 24, 2006, helping transform the not-for-profit organization into a globally respected force in live events, civic engagement and collegiate athletics. “Steve’s vision has fundamentally reshaped how […]

Dates Set for 2025 Orlando Bowl Slate

Pop-Tarts Bowl – Saturday, Dec. 27 at 3:30 p.m. Cheez-It Citrus Bowl – Wednesday, Dec. 31 at 3 p.m. Game dates and kickoff times for Orlando’s Pop-Tarts Bowl and Cheez-It Citrus Bowl games were announced this afternoon as part of ESPN’s 2025-26 college football schedule release. After one of the most talked-about bowl games in recent memory, filled with unforgettable moments on and off the field, the Pop-Tarts Bowl is set to return in 2025, with the internet’s favorite postseason […]

FCS to Kick Off 80th Citrus Bowl Season at Member Celebration Presented by AdventHealth

ORLANDO, Florida (Thursday, May 15, 2025)  — Florida Citrus Sports will launch a season-long campaign celebrating the upcoming 80th edition of the Citrus Bowl game this Friday at the organization’s annual Member Celebration presented by AdventHealth—the first in a series of special moments reflecting on the history, growth and lasting community impact of one of college football’s most storied postseason traditions. As part of the event, FCS will present the Howard Palmer Award, the organization’s most prestigious member honor, to […]

Florida Citrus Sports Announces Staff Promotions Across Key Departments

Florida Citrus Sports (FCS) announced a series of staff promotions reflecting the organization’s continued growth and commitment to operational excellence across its world-class sporting and entertainment events portfolio. Gabriel Park has moved to Executive Vice President, Business Development, where he will continue to lead the organization’s corporate partnership strategy. Park, who joined Florida Citrus Sports in 2015, has developed and stewarded high-profile sponsorships and multi-year agreements that have grown FCS’ flagship events like the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, Pop-Tarts Bowl, and […]

2025 Driving Impact Auction Catalog

Before the fourth annual Driving Impact Celebrity Golf Classic presented by AdventHealth takes place Monday, April 28, at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club, participants and guests will come together at the Pairings Party presented by Eventellect the night before to celebrate the occasion. As part of the evening, Florida Citrus Sports will host live and silent auctions featuring one-of-a-kind items and experiences like ticket packages for upcoming sporting events, hotel staycation packages, autographed memorabilia and more. All proceeds will […]

2025 Driving Impact Celebrity Golf Roster Announced

The fourth annual Driving Impact Celebrity Golf Classic presented by AdventHealth takes place Monday, April 28 at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club. Take a look below at the full celebrity lineup for Monday’s outing.

2025-26 LEADERSHIP UPDATE: Comes Begins Term as President, Line Clary Moves to Chairman

Florida Citrus Sports officially launched its 2025-26 season on April 1 with a leadership transition as Brian Comes, Vice President of Field Operations for the Americas at Hyatt Hotels Corporation, assumed the role of the organization’s 48th board President. He succeeds Sharon Line Clary of AdventHealth, who begins a one-year term as Chairman, while Steve Castino of Rehmann moves into the Past Chairman role. At Hyatt, Comes leads operations for 20 full-service hotels across the Americas, driving strategic initiatives that […]

Sideline Wine & Dine Event Guide

Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks Expands to Camping World Stadium This Fall

Iconic Philadelphia-Style Cheesesteaks to Delight Fans at 65,000-Seat Stadium in Downtown Orlando ORLANDO, Florida (Friday, September 20, 2024) — Florida Citrus Sports is thrilled to welcome Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks to Camping World Stadium this fall, as the award-winning purveyor of authentic Philadelphia-style cheesesteaks brings its renowned flavors to sports and entertainment enthusiasts at the 65,000-seat stadium in the heart of Downtown Orlando. Big Dave’s will debut its two concession stands at Camping World Stadium—a historic venue owned and operated by the […]

Florida Citrus Sports Mourns Loss of Past President and Central Florida Tourism Industry Legend Richard Jackson

Richard M. Jackson, 1951-2024 Former Florida Citrus Sports president and Central Florida attractions industry icon left an unforgettable legacy in Orlando’s sports and tourism communities ORLANDO, FLORIDA (AUGUST 7, 2024) — Former Florida Citrus Sports board president and Howard Palmer Award recipient Richard Jackson passed away Aug. 1, 2024, at the age of 72. He leaves behind a devoted wife of 39 years, Cindy; two children, Lindsey Sloan and Adam Jackson; an 18-month-old grandson, Jackson Sloan; and a legacy in Central […]

2024 FC Series: Barcelona vs. Manchester City Matchday Guide

Dates Set for 2024-25 Orlando Bowl Slate

Pop-Tarts Bowl – Saturday, Dec. 28 at 3:30 p.m. Cheez-It Citrus Bowl – Tuesday, Dec. 31 at 3 p.m. Game dates and kickoff times for Orlando’s Pop-Tarts Bowl and Cheez-It Citrus Bowl games were announced this afternoon as part of ESPN’s 2024-25 college football schedule release.  Fresh off an award-winning 2023 debut, the Pop-Tarts Bowl will return to a weekend time slot in 2024, with the Crazy Good sequel premiering on Saturday, Dec. 28 at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC. The […]

Dr. Kerry Schwartz Named Howard Palmer Award Winner

UPDATE: 6/28/24 Last Saturday at Camping World Stadium, at an event hosted by longtime Florida Citrus Sports partner AdventHealth, approximately 400 students from across Orange County participated in free sports physicals and electrocardiogram (ECG) screenings in preparation for the 2024-25 school year. On Thursday at Oak Ridge High School, AdventHealth cardiologist Dr. Kerry Schwartz was once again on hand—this time to offer additional, complimentary cardiac screening for any student who received an abnormal ECG result at Saturday’s event. The effort […]

Florida Citrus Sports Announces Retirement of Operations SVP Susan Fortini

ORLANDO, Florida — Florida Citrus Sports today announced the retirement of Susan Fortini, Senior Vice President of Operations, effective May 3. Over the past eight years, Fortini played an integral role in shaping the organization’s operational strategies and ensuring a seamless experience for participants and VIPs at major stadium events. “Susan has been a cornerstone of Florida Citrus Sports across multiple tenures, and her contributions have been invaluable to our success,” said Steve Hogan, CEO of Florida Citrus Sports. “Her leadership, […]

2024 Driving Impact Auction Catalog

Before the third annual Driving Impact Celebrity Golf Classic presented by AdventHealth takes place Monday, April 8, at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club, participants and guests will come together at the Pairings Party presented by Eventellect to celebrate the occasion. As part of the evening, Florida Citrus Sports will host live and silent auctions featuring one-of-a-kind items and experiences like ticket packages for upcoming sporting events, hotel staycation packages, autographed memorabilia and more. All proceeds will benefit Lift Orlando. […]