Capital One Bowl Moves To January 2nd For 2012

For just the fourth time in 26 years, the Capital One Bowl will be played on the day AFTER New Year’s Day. The 2012 edition of the top non-BCS bowl game in the country – along with all other traditional Jan. 1 games – is moving to January 2.  The game will remain in its traditional 1:00 p.m. timeslot and be televised nationally on ESPN.

The move to a Monday afternoon has happened three other times (1989, 1995, 2006) since the game found a permanent home on New Year’s Day in 1987 and is made to avoid a conflict with any pending NFL season. Though the date moves the Capital One Bowl out of its traditional Jan. 1st slot, the move will benefit Central Florida businesses as many bowl fans – who helped account for an estimated $73 million in economic impact last year – will stay in town one additional night.

The matchup will again feature the top non-BCS pick from the powerhouse Southeastern and Big Ten conferences as well as the highest payout ($9.1 million) among non-BCS games. 

“Orlando Bowl Week has traditionally been a boon for local businesses and we look forward to playing host to fans from our four great conference partners again in 2011-12,” said Ruffin. “Orlando has the best infrastructure of all bowl cities in terms of travel and entertainment and our matchups of top-flight teams make the week second-to-none.”

The Capital One Bowl, the nation’s seventh-longest running postseason bowl, will be in its 66th year in 2012. It has featured some of the great games and names in college football history.  

Tickets for the Capital One Bowl range from $50-90 with Uprights Club seats at $225. Prices do not include facility or convenience charges. Tickets go on sale to the general public September 1, but tickets to both Orlando Bowl Week games are available by purchasing a 2011-12 Florida Citrus Sports Membership.