In 2016, Florida State is taking its show on the road to Orlando. Twice. The Seminoles, already scheduled to open the 2016 season in Orlando against SEC foe Ole Miss, will get an early taste of the Citrus Bowl by taking the annual spring game on the road to Orlando. Florida State announced the spring game news Monday afternoon.
Florida State’s spring game in the Citrus Bowl will be played on April 9 at 5:00 p.m. The big reason for the relocation of the spring game is due to the renovation schedule on Doak Campbell Stadium.
“The short term construction challenges of building the Champions Club in Doak Campbell stadium have provided a unique opportunity for our 2016 spring football game,” said FSU Director of Athletics Stan Wilcox. “We are pleased to offer our fans greater access to Florida State football at an exciting and refurbished venue in one of the best destinations cities in the world. Moving the game to Orlando and partnering with Steve Hogan and his staff at Florida Citrus Sports will allow us to platform the game and Florida State athletics in exciting and unique new ways.”
Oh, it is also a nice little money-maker as well. Tickets will be sold for general admission seating at $5.00 per ticket. For the sake of comparison, admission to Florida State’s spring game was free this past spring. Florida State attracted a crowd of 17,250 to this year’s spring game. Weather kept many fans away, after drawing over 36,000 fans the previous spring.
Florida State last played in the Citrus Bowl Stadium in the 2011 Russell Athletic Bowl, defeating Notre Dame 18-14.