Check out our South Carolina Gamecocks and Illinois Fighting Illini fan guide and plan your visit to maximize your bowl week experience.
The South Carolina Gamecocks and Illinois Fighting Illini will square off in this season’s Cheez-It Citrus Bowl. The game will kick off at 3 pm on Tuesday, December 31, at Camping World Stadium and will air live on ABC.
No. 15 South Carolina (9-3, 5-3 SEC) will be making its fourth all-time appearance in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, and its first since a 34-24 win over Wisconsin to close the 2013-14 season. The Gamecocks also appeared in the Jan. 2, 2012 Citrus Bowl, a 30-13 win over Nebraska, and the 1975 game, a 20-7 defeat to Miami (Ohio).
No. 20 Illinois (9-3, 6-3 Big Ten) will be appearing in the game for the second time and first since quarterback and game MVP Jeff George led the team to a 31-21 win over Virginia on New Year’s Day 1990.
The Gamecocks and Illini have never met on the gridiron.
This season’s Cheez-It Citrus Bowl will be the 79th edition of the game, an annual matchup of top SEC and Big Ten teams since 1993.
Last season, Tennessee defeated Iowa 35-0 in the second edition of the Citrus Bowl to feature Cheez-It as a title sponsor.
Tickets are still available, get yours now!
Read on for our fan guide to help South Carolina Gamecocks and Illinois Fighting Illini fans enjoy the experience in Orlando.
GAME DAY INFORMATION
Game Day Schedule
8 am – RV Parking Lot (Lot 4) Opens
10 am – General Parking Lots Open
10 am – FREE Stadium Shuttle Starts
11 am – FanFest Opens
12 pm – Pregame Hospitality Opens
1 pm – Stadium Gates Open
3 pm – Kickoff
ANIMALS
Camping World Stadium welcomes guide or assistance dogs utilized by the disabled or
visually impaired. All other animals are prohibited.
ALCOHOL
Alcoholic beverages are sold in the stadium until the end of the third quarter. Proper age identification will be requested.
CAMERAS AND VIDEO EQUIPMENT
Cameras with detachable lenses and/or lenses 3 in. or longer are not permitted in
the stadium.
CHILD TICKET POLICY
All children who have reached their second birthday by the date of the event must have a ticket for entry.
CLEAR BAG
Florida Citrus Sports has implemented a clear bag policy that limits the size and type of bags that may be brought into Camping World Stadium.
Fans will be able to carry the following style and size bag, package or container at stadium plaza areas, stadium gates or when approaching queue lines of fans awaiting entry into the stadium:
Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 14” x 14” x 6”.
One-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc bag or similar)
Small clutch bags that do not exceed 4.5” x 6.5” (pictured to the right) can be taken into the stadium in addition to one of the clear plastic bags.
An exception will be made for medically necessary items after proper inspection at a gate designated for this purpose.
MOBILE TICKETING
Mobile ticketing greatly improves the fan experience at Camping World Stadium by making stadium entry quick and easy. The ability to manage your tickets from your smartphone will provide a more convenient experience, while drastically prohibiting the risk of counterfeit tickets.
Please visit the Mobile Ticketing Guide for full step-by-step instructions on how to access, sell and transfer your mobile tickets for Florida Citrus Sports events at Camping World Stadium.
Fans are encouraged to download their tickets to their mobile devices
before arriving to the stadium on game day.
To view the mobile ticketing guide, visit floridacitrussports.com/mobile-ticketing.
NO RE-ENTRY POLICY
Once admitted, patrons may not leave and re-enter the stadium.
PARKING OPERATIONS
On game day, all stadium parking lots are staffed and reserved for permit parking, recreational vehicles, chartered buses and disabled parking.
Parking lots open at 8:00 am on game day. Public parking permits can be purchased in advance at cheezitcitrusbowl.com/game-day.
Fans are encouraged to use the City of Orlando’s downtown shuttle service on game day if they do not have a parking permit.
SMOKING
Smoking is prohibited within Camping World Stadium except in designated smoking areas. Designated smoking areas outside of the seating area are available and are subject to change.
Field Level – Near East Breezeway by 119; North Concourse by outer wall across from Sec.145
Plaza Level - North and South of elevator landings
Terrace Level – Sections 208 & 234 (behind center stairwells, between inner and outer walls)
STADIUM SHUTTLE
The City of Orlando will offer FREE downtown Orlando shuttle service to and from Camping World Stadium.
Pick-Up Location: Central Boulevard between Garland & Hughey Avenues
Drop-Off Location: Nashville Avenue & Church Street
Time: Buses will run to and from the stadium throughout the day from 8 a.m. until 1 hour after the game.
Please note that shuttle information is subject to change. The most up-to-date information can be found at cheezitcitrusbowl.com/game-day. Maps and links for other downtown surface lots and garages are available at Orlando.gov.
STROLLERS
Strollers are permitted into the stadium but must be checked into guest services near
section 148 (north box office).
Tailgating Policies
Tailgating is allowed in all Camping World Stadium lots EXCEPT Bus Lot 3 and Jones High School. View Camping World Stadium’s full Tailgating Policy at cheezitcitrusbowl.com/game-day.
WIFI
Complimentary WiFi is available to our patrons attending events. Simply connect to CWSGuestWiFi. No password required. Agree to terms and conditions and click ‘continue.’
PROHIBITED ITEMS
To ensure the safest environment possible, the City of Orlando and Camping World Stadium prohibit the following items from being brought through the gates of the stadium:
Air horns
Backpacks
Bottles: Guests may bring one commercially-branded (ie. Aquafina) empty plastic water bottles, no larger than 20 fluid ounces.
Cameras with detachable lenses and/or lenses 3 in. or longer
Cans
Carts
Coolers
Cycles
Drones
Fireworks
Hard containers
Illegal drugs
iPads
Laptops
Large bags
Laser pointers
Masks
Megaphones
Outside food & beverage
Pets (except service dogs)
Poles longer than 12”
Seat cushions with pockets, zippers, compartments or covers are not permitted. Seat cushions that have rigid frames are not permitted. Soft, flexible seat cushions without pockets may be carried into the stadium.
Selfie-Sticks
Signs with indecent or derogatory comments/images, political statements, and commercial references
Signs larger than 11” x 17”
Skates
Skateboards
Tablets
Unauthorized solicitation, handbills, giveaways, or sampling
Umbrellas
Video or audio recorders
Weapons of any kind
There are no provisions to check items at the gates or in the stadium. Fans will be asked to either return prohibited items to their car if they have not entered the stadium, or dispose of prohibited items at the entrance of the stadium.
The City of Orlando/Camping World Stadium is not responsible for items left behind, lost, stolen or damaged. Possession of prohibited items is grounds for ejection from the stadium. Game tickets will be forfeited.
Security personnel reserve the right to inspect any item at any time and prohibit any item deemed inappropriate for crowd safety or detrimental to others enjoying the event.
To view Camping World Stadium’s full Prohibited Items Policy, visit cheezitcitrusbowl.com/game-day.
For a complete A-Z guide of game day policies and procedures visit:
Gotta Go Orlando offers the latest entertainment news, together with all the latest events and things to do throughout Central Florida. We feature concerts, theater, culture, nightlife, food & drink. theme parks, attractions, festivals, events, and more.
With news and information being released on a daily basis, we encourage you to sign up for our newsletter and stay in the loop with all the latest exciting news from our local community. You can also join the local conversation on X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Contact Us
Got a story to tell Orlando? Contact us now. To advertise with us, click here, and to list your upcoming event with us, submit it here.