Fan Information Guide
Planning on coming to the Outback Bowl? Have questions about the Tampa Bay area? Below are answers to some of our most frequently asked questions. Also, download one of our fan guides filled with information.
Fan Information Guides
Click on a Topic Below
Animals
Animals are not allowed into Raymond James Stadium with the exception of service animals.
Assistive Listening Devices
TDD machine and assistive listening devices available at information/concierge booths located on the main concourse near the entrance/exit ramps, and near the center of each upper concourse. Raymond James Stadium can be reached via TDD at (800) 955-8771.
ATM
Two ATMs are located on the main concourse near ramp towers B and D, and two more in the club lounges.
Attractions
The Tampa Bay area offers numerous attractions from Busch Gardens to the Florida International Museum. Go to the Where 2 Go page for a listing of major attractions in the area.
Backpacks/Bags
Backpacks and large duffle bags are not allowed in the stadium.
Binoculars
Binoculars are allowed in the stadium, but cases are not.
Banners
Must be checked by the FHP before display. No advertisements, no wood or metal can be used. Must be in good taste. May not be hung over equipment or existing signage including field wall.
Beaches
The Tampa Bay Area has some of the best beaches in the world. In fact, two are ranked in the Top 10. For more information link to the Tampa Bay CVB and St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area Visitor Bureau sites.
Busch Gardens
Busch Gardens is located in Tampa and is one of the best attractions in the state. Offering a large variety of animal exhibits and thrilling rollercoasters it has something for everyone. For more information link to www.buschgardens.com.
Camera/Video Equipment
Video cameras are not allowed. Camera lenses over 12 inches not permitted. No commercial use of photographs shot in stadium.
Campers/RVs
Fans needing to park their campers and RVs overnight should call 850-562-7151 or go to www.floridacamping.com for a list of campgrounds and state parks in the Tampa Bay area. Overnight parking is NOT permitted in stadium parking lots.
On game day campers/RVs over 25 feet in length must park in lots 8, 13 or 14. Cost is $75 for campers and $100 for buses.
Children
Children 3 years old and younger are admitted for free as long as they do not require their own seat (must sit on parents lap).
Cooler/Containers
No containers, including cans, bottles or coolers, lunch boxes, drinks or food can be brought into stadium.
Diaper Bags
Diaper Bags are allowed in the stadium but will be searched.
Directions
Directions to Raymond James Stadium can be found on the Stadium Directions page of this site.
Disabled Seating & Parking
Raymond James Stadium meets ADA guidelines for seating, restrooms, concession stands and signage. Tickets are available through the Outback Bowl ticket office (813-874-2695), and at Florida Ticketmaster Outlets after Oct. 1. Handicap parking is available on game day only on a first come basis. For more information ask for a "Guide for Guests With Disabilities" from an information booth or the Tampa Sports Authority office (813) 350-6500.
Elevators
Elevators for handicapped fans are located at gates A & C ramp towers. Elevators are also located in center of east and west club concourses. Each entry/exit ramp lower also includes escalators. Escalators go up only until mid-way throughout the third period at which time they are reserved to go down only.
Events Schedule
A complete schedule of Outback Bowl events can be found on the Events Calendar page of this site.
First Aid
Located near ramps B & D on the main and upper concourses and ramp C on the lower (field) level. Paramedics are positioned on the east and west walkways of the main and upper levels and on the endzone concourses.
Food/Concessions
There are 168 concession areas in the stadium. There are also four sports bars and two specialty restaurants on the Club concourses. Food includes items such as burgers, chicken sandwiches, fries, hot dogs, pretzels, nachos, pizza, deli sandwiches, salads, ice cream and more. Travelers checks are excepted at the concessions when signed in cashier's presence. ATMs are located on the main concourses. No credit cards are accepted at concession stands. The stadium meets ADA guidelines for concession stands.
Gates Open
Gates open at 11:30 AM on game day. Kickoff is 1:00 PM ET.
Grilling
Grilling in the parking lots of Raymond James Stadium is allowed on game day. Fans must properly dispose of charcoal and other waste.
Hotels
A directory of official bowl hotels is found on the Tampa Bay Area Where 2 Sleep page of this site. For a complete directory of area properties link to the Tampa Bay CVB or St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area Convention & Visitor Bureau sites.
Information Booths
Information/concierge booths are located on the main concourses near each entrance/exit ramp, and near the center of each upper concourse.
Items Not Allowed in Stadium
Please check the Stadium Policies page of this site for a list of items not allowed in the stadium.
Lowry Park Zoo
The Lowry Park Zoo is located in Tampa and features 24 acres consisting of the largest concentration of native Florida wildlife in the state. A wide variety of animals includes everything from the Manatee Exhibit to tigers, primates and a free-flight aviary. For more details go to www.lowryparkzoo.com.
Merchandise
Outback Bowl merchandise can be purchased at the stadium on game day, at the Bowl Beach Day event and at the New Year's Eve Parade in Ybor City. Additional retail outlets will be announced in December. You may also order items in the Merchandise section of this site.
Museums
The Florida International Museum, Museum of Science and Industry(MOSI), Salvador Dali Museum and many more are home to Tampa Bay. For more information see the Where 2 Go page of this site or the visitor bureau web sites.
Noise Makers
Artificial noise makers (air horns, bullhorns, whistles, vuvuzelas, etc.) are not allowed in stadium.
Paging
Pre and post game requests can be made at the information/concierge booths. Only emergency pages will be made during the game.
Parking
Stadium parking lots open a 10 AM on game day. Costs are $25 for automobiles, $75 for campers and $100 for buses. See the Stadium Directions page of this site for more details.
Practices - (Teams)
Team practices are typically closed to the public by request of the schools.
Radio & TV
The Outback Bowl will be carried by the bowls national network on ESPN Radio, by both school radio networks and in the Tampa Bay market on 620 AM WDAE. The game is televised nationally and internationally via ABC TV.
Restrooms
There are 88 restrooms in the stadium. Restrooms are located in the main and upper concourse levels at the end of each tunnel. Companion restrooms are located near the entry/exit ramps.
Seating Diagram
A seating diagram of Raymond James Stadium can be found on the Stadium Diagram page or Stadium Tour page of this site.
Security Policies
For information on stadium security & policies go to the Stadium Policies section.
Selection of Teams
Teams are selected to play in the Outback Bowl based on a variety of criteria. The bowl gets the third selection from the Big Ten Conference and the SEC. Factors such as the BCS at-large selections may adjust this selection order. The bowls Team Selection Committee makes a recommendation to the bowls Board of Directors which has the final decision. No decision will be made prior to the final regular season games being played by teams from these two conferences. Teams are typically announced in early December.
Stadium
Raymond James Stadium is a state-of-the-art facility opened in September 1998. For more information see the About the Stadium, Stadium Tour, and Stadium Guide pages.
Tag-A-Kid
This is a free service allowing parents to ID children with a wrist band displaying the child's name and seat location. You may sign up for this service at any information booth located near each entry/exit ramp on the main concourse and near the center of each upper concourse.
Tailgating
Tailgating is allowed in stadium parking lots. See Stadium Policies page for parking lot policies.
Television Broadcast
The Outback Bowl will be telecast internationally on ABC TV at 1:00 PM ET. The game may be blacked-out in the Tampa market if not sold out in advance.
Tickets
See the General Ticket Information page of this site. Tickets can also be purchased through the participating school ticket offices, while available, once the teams are announced.
Ticketmaster
Beginning Oct. 1, Outback Bowl tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster outlets throughout Florida, via phone at (813) 287-8844, or via the Internet as www.ticketmaster.com Ticketmaster charges a processing fee for each ticket.
Travelers Checks
Are accepted at the concession stands if signed in the cashier's presence.
Umbrellas
Are not permitted in the stadium.
Visitor Bureau/Information
Information on the Tampa Bay area can be obtained through the area visitor bureau web sites at www.visittampabay.com or www.visitstpeteclearwater.com.
Wheelchair Seating
Tickets for wheelchair seating are available through the Outback Bowl Ticket Office (813-874-2695), or at Ticketmaster Outlets in Florida beginning Oct. 1. Adjacent companion seats are available as well. Raymond James Stadium meets ADA guidelines for seating, signage, concessions and restrooms. Wheelchair parking is available on a first come basis in Lots A & C for $25.
