History of Camping World Stadium in Timeline

Camping World Stadium is an outdoor stadium in Orlando, Florida, that opened in 1936. Originally named Orlando Stadium, it has also been known as the Tangerine Bowl and Florida Citrus Bowl. It's located in Downtown Orlando's West Lakes neighborhood, near other entertainment venues. The stadium is owned and operated by the City of Orlando.

1914: Tinker Field Opened

In 1914, Tinker Field opened to the immediate east of where the stadium was built.

1936: Opening as Orlando Stadium

In 1936, the stadium opened as Orlando Stadium with a capacity of 8,900.

January 1, 1947: Inaugural Tangerine Bowl

On January 1, 1947, Catawba defeated Maryville 31–6 in the inaugural Tangerine Bowl.

1952: 2,000 Seats Added

In 1952, 2,000 seats were added to the stadium, during which it was known as the Tangerine Bowl.

1966: Home of the Orlando Panthers

From 1966 to 1970, Camping World Stadium was home to the Orlando Panthers of the Continental Football League.

1968: 5,000 Seats and First Press Box Added

In 1968, 5,000 more seats were added to the stadium, along with the first press box.

1970: Orlando Panthers Final Season

From 1966 to 1970, Camping World Stadium was home to the Orlando Panthers of the Continental Football League.

1974: Expansion Project

From 1974 to 1976, an expansion project raised the capacity to 50,612, including a 3,600-seat upper deck on the east sidelines.

1974: Home of the Florida Blazers

In 1974, the Florida Blazers of the World Football League played their only season at Camping World Stadium.

November 27, 1976: First Game at Expanded Stadium

On November 27, 1976, the first major game was held at the expanded stadium. During the game between Florida and Miami, the newly constructed upper deck noticeably swayed whenever fans stood up and cheered.

1979: Home of UCF Knights Football Team

In 1979, Camping World Stadium became the home of the UCF Knights football team.

1979: UCF Pending Move

In 1979, the city of Orlando was dealing with UCF's pending move to the stadium.

May 1980: Steel East Upper Deck Dismantled

In May 1980, the steel east upper deck was dismantled after the upper deck scandal.

1983: Florida Department of Citrus Title Sponsor

In 1983, the Florida Department of Citrus was added as a title sponsor for the facility for $250,000.

1985: Home of the Orlando Renegades

In 1985, the Orlando Renegades of the USFL played one season at Camping World Stadium.

1989: New Upper Decks Added

In 1989, after improvements and a renovation that added new concrete upper decks, a capacity of 65,438 was established.

1994: 1994 FIFA World Cup Venue

In 1994, Camping World Stadium was a venue for the FIFA World Cup.

1996: Host of 1996 Olympic Soccer Matches

In 1996, Camping World Stadium hosted Olympic soccer matches.

1996: Olympic Soccer Matches

In 1996, Olympic soccer matches were held at Camping World Stadium.

1997: Home of Orlando Sundogs

In 1997, Camping World Stadium hosted the USISL A-League Orlando Sundogs.

1998: Host of MLS All-Star Game

In 1998, Camping World Stadium hosted the Major League Soccer All-Star Game.

1999: Key Stadium Improvements

From 1999 to 2002, key stadium improvements were made including the addition of contour seating, escalators, and a new scoreboard/video screen.

2001: Home of the Orlando Rage

In 2001, the Orlando Rage of the XFL played at Camping World Stadium.

2002: Key Stadium Improvements

From 1999 to 2002, key stadium improvements were made including the addition of contour seating, escalators, and a new scoreboard/video screen.

2004: Stadium Refurbishment Project Explored

In 2004, Orlando officials began exploring a stadium refurbishment project.

2005: Dissatisfaction Expressed by UCF

By 2005, UCF officials expressed dissatisfaction with the state of the facility and lack of revenue.

2005: Last Use of Temporary Bleachers

In 2005, temporary bleachers were last used for the Capital One Bowl, which had an attendance of 70,229.

September 29, 2006: $175-Million Renovation Announced

On September 29, 2006, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer announced an agreement on a $175-million renovation of Camping World Stadium.

2006: UCF Knights Football Team Leaves

In 2006, the UCF Knights football team left Camping World Stadium.

August 6, 2007: Orlando/Orange County Interlocal Agreement Approved

On August 6, 2007, the Orlando/Orange County Interlocal Agreement was approved by the Orlando City Council for the stadium renovation.

2007: New On-Campus Stadium Opened

In 2005, UCF officials made the decision to construct a new on-campus stadium, which opened for the 2007 season.

March 30, 2008: WrestleMania XXIV

On March 30, 2008, Camping World Stadium hosted WrestleMania XXIV, with a reported attendance of 74,635.

2009: Home of the Florida Tuskers

From 2009, the Florida Tuskers occupied Camping World Stadium for 2 seasons.

2009: Poor field conditions at Champs Sports Bowl

In 2009, the Champs Sports Bowl was marred by poor field conditions that led to two football player injuries. It led to the replacement of the natural grass surface.

2010: AstroTurf Gameday Grass 3D Installation

In 2010, the natural grass surface was replaced with AstroTurf Gameday Grass 3D after the 2009 Champs Sports Bowl and 2010 Capital One Bowl were marred by poor field conditions, which led to two football player injuries.

2011: Home of Orlando City SC

In 2011, Camping World Stadium became the home of the Orlando City SC, a soccer team in USL Pro.

2011: Florida Tuskers Leave

In 2011, the Florida Tuskers moved to Virginia Beach.

2011: Jones High School Used Stadium as Home Field

Through the end of their 2011 season, the varsity football team from nearby Jones High School used Camping World Stadium as a regular season home field for decades.

August 31, 2012: Jones High School Plays on Own Field

Beginning on August 31, 2012, Jones High School started playing home football games on their own field.

May 2013: Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium Reconstruction Announcement

In May 2013, it was announced that the Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium would undergo reconstruction during 2014, at a cost of less than US$200 million.

September 6, 2013: Orlando City Wins USL Pro Championship

On September 6, 2013, Orlando City played their final USL Pro match at Camping World Stadium, winning the USL Pro Championship over Charlotte Eagles, 7–4. The last soccer event held before renovation was an international friendly between the US and Brazil women's teams.

2013: Fifth Third Bank Field at the Citrus Bowl

During the 2013 season, Fifth Third Bank owned naming rights to the field for Orlando City matches, resulting in the name Fifth Third Bank Field at the Citrus Bowl during those matches.

2013: Orlando City SC Home

In 2013, Camping World Stadium remained the home of Orlando City SC, a soccer team in USL Pro, before they temporarily moved while Inter&Co Stadium was constructed.

2013: MLS Expansion Team Awarded

In 2013, the investment group that owned Orlando City SC was awarded an expansion team in Major League Soccer.

January 29, 2014: Groundbreaking Event for Reconstruction

On January 29, 2014, a groundbreaking event was held at the stadium, immediately followed by the commencement of reconstruction. Demolition of the entire lower bowl lasted 25 days.

March 2014: Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium Reconstruction Cost Estimate

In March 2014, the cost estimate for the Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium reconstruction was US$207 million.

November 22, 2014: First Event at the Renovated Camping World Stadium

On November 22, 2014, the renovated Camping World Stadium hosted its first event, the 2014 edition of the Florida Classic. The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats defeated the Florida A&M Rattlers, 18–17 in overtime.

2014: Orlando City SC at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

In 2014, Orlando City SC spent their season in USL Pro at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex while Camping World Stadium was being renovated.

2014: Stadium Capacity Before Renovation

Prior to the 2014 renovation, the stadium had 65,000 permanent seats. The lower bowl lacked permanent seats in the north end zone, though temporary bleachers could be erected there if necessary.

March 8, 2015: Orlando City First Match in Renovated Camping World Stadium

On March 8, 2015, Orlando City played their first match in the renovated Camping World Stadium, drawing a 1–1 tie against New York City FC. The game drew a sellout crowd of 62,510, the largest attendance for a soccer match at the venue.

October 25, 2015: United States Women's National Soccer Team Defeats Brazil

On October 25, 2015, the United States women's national soccer team returned to Camping World Stadium and defeated Brazil, 3–1. The attendance of 32,869 was the largest attendance for a standalone USWNT friendly in the state of Florida.

November 19, 2015: Camping World Stadium to Host Copa América Centenario

On November 19, 2015, CONCACAF and CONMEBOL announced that Camping World Stadium would be one of the host venues for the Copa América Centenario soccer tournament in 2016.

2015: Orlando City Returns to Camping World Stadium

In 2015 and 2016, Orlando City, now playing in Major League Soccer, returned to Camping World Stadium.

April 23, 2016: Orlando Pride Breaks NWSL Attendance Record

On April 23, 2016, the Orlando Pride beat the Houston Dash, 3–1, at Camping World Stadium, setting a new record for attendance at an NWSL game at 23,403.

April 26, 2016: Naming Rights Sold to Camping World

On April 26, 2016, Florida Citrus Sports announced that they had sold naming rights for the stadium to Camping World. Camping World also became the title sponsor of the stadium's college football kickoff game through at least 2019, and the annual December bowl game held at the stadium was known as the Camping World Bowl from 2017 through 2019.

June 2016: Copa América Centenario Matches

In June 2016, Camping World Stadium was one of the venues for Copa América Centenario, hosting three group stage matches.

2016: Orlando City Returns to Camping World Stadium

In 2015 and 2016, Orlando City, now playing in Major League Soccer, returned to Camping World Stadium.

2016: Camping World Stadium Hosts Copa América Centenario

In 2016, Camping World Stadium hosted the Copa América Centenario soccer tournament.

2016: Orlando Pride Played at Camping World Stadium

In 2016, The Orlando Pride, the National Women's Soccer League expansion team owned by Orlando City SC, played in Camping World Stadium while the Orlando City Stadium was completed.

April 2, 2017: WrestleMania 33

On April 2, 2017, WWE returned to Camping World Stadium to host WrestleMania 33, with a claimed attendance record of 75,245.

2017: Pro Bowl Held

From 2017 through 2020, Camping World Stadium hosted the NFL's all-star game, the Pro Bowl.

2017: Camping World Bowl Name Established

In 2017, the annual December bowl game held at the stadium became known as the Camping World Bowl.

2019: Camping World sponsorship of kickoff game concluded

In 2019, Camping World's sponsorship of the stadium's college football kickoff game ended.

2020: Pro Bowl Held

From 2017 through 2020, Camping World Stadium hosted the NFL's all-star game, the Pro Bowl.

2020: Home of the Orlando Guardians

In 2020, Camping World Stadium was the home of the Orlando Guardians of the XFL.

2021: Camping World Stadium Renovations

In 2021, Camping World Stadium renovations included modernizing and improving the north endzone seating bowl, concession areas, club-level seating, and new premium mezzanine clubs on east and west.

April 27, 2022: Mexico vs. Guatemala "MexTour"

On April 27, 2022, Camping World Stadium hosted the Mexico national football team vs. Guatemala "MexTour".

2022: Orlando Chosen for XFL Team

In 2022, Orlando was chosen to be the home of one of the third incarnation of the XFL’s eight teams and that the team would play its home games at Camping World Stadium.

2022: Record Crowd for Soccer Match

In 2022, the Florida Cup exhibition soccer match between Arsenal and Chelsea had an attendance of 63,811, a record crowd for a soccer match at the stadium.

November 14, 2023: Plans for a New Renovation Released

On November 14, 2023, Florida Citrus Sports released plans for a new renovation including demolition of the upper decks built in the 1980s, and replacing them with a new set of upper decks and a 100,000-square-foot fieldhouse.

2023: Orlando Guardians Played in XFL Season

The Orlando Guardians played in the 2023 XFL season before folding after the XFL's merger with the USFL.

January 23, 2024: Tourist Development Tax Revenue Approved for Renovation

On January 23, 2024, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners approved $400 million in tourist development tax revenue for use in the renovation.