Raymond James Stadium is a sports facility located in Tampa, Florida. The stadium is primarily used for football games, as it is currently the where the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the University of South Florida Bulls football programs play their home games. The stadium has a seating capacity of almost 66,000, and can be expanded to accommodate 75,000 for special events.
Raymond James Stadium replaced the aging Houlihan's Stadium, which was located adjacent to the facility. The stadium now stands where Al Lopez Field stood, and was opened on September 20, 1998. The stadium cost a total of $168.5 million to construct, and financed through the public. During construction, the stadium was known as Tampa Community Stadium, but since has changed its name to Raymond James Stadium as a result of a $32.5 million contract with Raymond James Financial in June 1998. In 2006, an extension was signed to maintain naming rights until 2015.
The stadium hosts the Outback Bowl, an annual college bowl game, as well as the ACC Championship Game. Raymond James Stadium will also be the venue for the 2009 Super Bowl, and this will be the second time that the stadium has hosted the event. One of the most notable features of the stadium is the 103 ft., 43-ton steel and concrete stationary pirate ship. The pirate ship fires soft-rubber footballs and confetti each time that the Buccaneers score. The cannon fires six times for a touchdown, once for an extra point, twice for a safety and two-point conversion, and three times for a field goal. During Super Bowl XXXV, the pirate ship was used as the desk for pre, post and half-time game reporting.
The stadium is often called by its unofficial nicknames: "Ray Jay", or "The New Sombrero." The stadium's surface is natural (hybrid) Bermuda grass.
Stadium Location, Parking and Policies:
Address:
4201 Dale Mabry Highway North
Tampa, Florida
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Parking passes for Super Bowl XLIII are currently unavailable at TicketCity. Any parking inquiries you have can be answered if you call Tampa Sports Authority at (813) 350-6500. Tampa Sports Authority recommends that all attendees arrive at least one hour prior to the event in order to avoid heavy traffic delays.
Items prohibited inside Raymond James Stadium:
- Backpacks or large bags
- Food, drinks, cans, bottles, glass
- Seat cushions
- Banners or flags with sticks or poles
- Camcorders
- Umbrellas or any view-obstructing items
- Coolers
- Horns and noisemakers of any type
- Lasers
- Weapons, fireworks
- Items that could be used as missiles or projectiles
- Cameras with lenses longer than 12"
- Chucky dolls
- Footballs
- Strollers
- Pets (except special needs animals)
- Skates, skateboards, skate-shoes, all cycles and segways
Items allowed inside Raymond James Stadium:
- Ponchos
- Hand-held banners (must be in good taste)
Gorilla Theatre, Inc.
4419 N Hubert Ave
Tampa, FL 33614
Tel: 813.879.2914
The Gorilla Theatre is the perfect place to see a thrilling theatrical performance away from Broadway. The theatre initially started as a theatre company, producing plays at various theatres around the Tampa area. Co-founders Aubrey Hampton and Susan Hussey, both playwrights for the theatre, opened a space in Drew Park, and since has become one of the best performance spaces in the entire area, with intimate seating and superb acoustics. Also, this theatre is the only theatre governed by a theatre union, which ensure artists and actors are treated well and paid decently). Grab some tickets and stop by this gem of a theatre! You can visit their web site at www.gorillatheatre.com.
Busch Gardens
3000 E Busch Blvd
Tampa, FL 33612
Phone: (813) 987-5000
Once a brewery with colorful aviary and plants, Busch Gardens has become one of the biggest attractions in mid-state Florida. For the extreme adventurer, there are four roller coasters and a plethora of water rides to keep your attention piqued. For the family, there is and Edge of Africa safari featuring about 2,700 animals, including gorillas. If you just need to cool off, especially in the hot summer months, you can sit in the shade of the various amphitheatres and enjoy a show, or shop at the many African-themed shops. Don't forget to bring some cash for food. Park hours are 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Centro Ybor
1600 E 8th Ave A-100
Tampa, FL 33605
Phone: (813) 242-4660
This is a 210,000 square foot entertainment and shopping complex that is sure to please the entire crew. The $45 million dollar development occupies most of the 1500 and 1600 block of Seventh Avenue, and features a GameWorks, Muvico 20 Theater and an Improv Comedy Club and restaurant. Some of the shopping venues at the complex are American Eagle Outfitters, Urban Outfitters, Afterthoughts, Eyetems, GBX Shoes, Silver Edge, Metropolitan Deluxe and many others. There are plenty of Restaurants and watering holes in the complex, so get ready to shop-til-you-drop, game-til-you're-lame, and eat, eat, eat!
Pre-game Eats:
La Teresita:
3246 W Columbus Dr
Tampa, FL 33607
(813) 879-9704
Looking for some excellent Cuban food? Even if you're not, you need to try this lunch counter specialty. Located in a local Spanish neighborhood, this restaurant serves up traditional Spanish and Cuban cuisine at the counter with lightning quick speed, and there's a sit-down dining room for those who are looking to eat in leisure. The portions are huge, and the Cuban bread will have you coming back for more. Finish it off with a cup of Cuban coffee and you'll be rubbing your stomach all day. Make sure and try this local gem, and you won't be disappointed.
Pelagia Trattoria:
4200 Jim Walter Blvd
Tampa, FL 33607
(813) 313-3235
This eclectic cuisine restaurant, located in The Renaissance Tampa International Plaza, is absolutely awe-inspiring. The interior and exterior décor, the staff and the clientele offer an eclectic atmosphere to compliment the intimate environment. The open-air courtyard and luxurious demonstration kitchen also season the experience. Chef Fabrizio Schenardi's gourmet Italian cuisine delivers the finest dining experience on this side of Raymond James Stadium. Dishes including lemon soufflé pancakes, crunchy fried olives stuffed with three meats, and the cinnamon and juniper berry marinated quail. Make sure to make reservations, and you will not be disappointed with your dining experience at this local gourmet rave.
Mom's Place:
4816 N Dale Mabry Hwy
Tampa, FL 33614-6510
Phone: (813) 875-2670
Eating at this local comfort food spot is just like visiting mom. Mom's Place, located very close to Raymond James Stadium, is an excellent place to grab a bite before the game. With breakfast served all day long, you can have breakfast even for lunch. The food here is diner-style, with a few Greek standards including tasty Gyros. Make sure to make this your lunch stop, and you will save some cash without missing-out on quality.
Post-game Drinks:
The Hub:
719 N Franklin St
Tampa, FL 33602-4411
(813) 229-1553
This watering hole is heralded as a trashy dive bar with a fabulous feel. Touting themselves as serving up some of the stiffest drinks in town, The Hub attracts everyone from politicians to hip blue-collar types at night. The jukebox is full of CD's you thought you would never enjoy – but just one night and a few drinks at The Hub and you will be singing along to all your favorite one-hit wonders. Come stop out for a nightcap at the trendiest hole-in-the-wall in town.
Champions Sports Bar:
700 S Florida Ave
Tampa, FL 33602-5404
Phone: (813) 221-4900
This is the granddaddy of all sports bars, complete with penalty box, basketball rim, volleyball net and even a pole-vault pit for that true sports bar distinction. The atmosphere rings with memorabilia, and the spacious bar serves excellent beers and drinks. The food is better than your average sports bar, so make sure to try the sliders or wings for a real treat. The house is flooded with big screens and televisions to make sure you keep up to date on all the real-time sports action. There's also two pool tables, just in case you are looking for a more interactive experience.
Tampa Bay Brewing Company:
1812 N 15th St
Tampa, FL 33605-3642
Phone: (813) 247-1422
This is the ultimate beer lover's hang out, as almost everything on the menu contains beer in one form or another. The home brewed beers here are delicious, so kick back and try an IPA, Stout, Porter, Hefe, Redeye Ale or a Barley Wine – all are bound to knock your socks off. There are vegetarian selections from the food menu, as well as more traditional pub food including bangers and mash and fish-and-chips. For the beer lover in your party, stop by and try a taste of this local brewpub's selections.