The Orlando Citrus Bowl will change its name to Camping World Stadium thanks to a long-term deal announced Tuesday by officials of Florida Citrus Sports.
Kentucky-based Camping World is a company that specializes in selling parts and service for recreational vehicles and supplies for camping. Camping World was founded in 1966 and had a single store in Bowling Green, Kentucky. It currently owns 120 stores nationwide.
Camping World has reached an eight-year agreement for the naming rights to the stadium in downtown Orlando. Marcus Lemonis, chairman and CEO of Camping World and Good Sam Enterprises, said that the company is “proud to partner with Florida Citrus Sports and the Central Florida community” and they want to help “build memories for the next generation of residents and visitors.” He added that Florida was a key market for them and reminded the company had 14 Camping World SuperCenters in the Sunshine State, which is more than any other.
In addition to the stadium name-change, Camping World signed a multi-year agreement to sponsor a series of early-season college football games at the venue. The games will be known as Camping World Kickoff. Three are scheduled so far. Beginning with the September 5 showdown between Florida State Seminoles and Ole Miss Rebel. Then Alabama vs. Louisville in 2018. It was also confirmed that the rivalry game Florida Gators and Miami Hurricanes will be played at Camping World Stadium in 2019.
The iconic Orlando stadium underwent a $207.7 million reconstruction in 2014. The venue is the only nationwide to host three college bowl games: Russell Athletic Bowl, the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl and AutoNation Cure Bowl. Three Copa America Centenario games will be played I Orlando stadium this June. A concert of Guns N’ Roses will be held in July there as well.
In April 2017, Camping World Stadium is expected to become the first outdoor US stadium that hosts WWE Wrestlemania for a second time.