Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, Florida)

USA / Florida / Tampa / Tampa, Florida / North Dale Mabry Highway (US 92), 4201
 american football stadium  Add category

Raymond James Stadium is a football stadium located in Tampa, Florida. It is the home stadium of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the NFL as well as the University of South Florida Bulls football team of the NCAA's Big East Conference and was formerly home of MLS's Tampa Bay Mutiny. It is also the host stadium of the annual Outback Bowl. The stadium has a capacity of 65,857 with 195 luxury boxes and 12,232 club seats. It can be expanded to 75,000 for special events.

The stadium was built primarily to replace Tampa Stadium. It was designed by HOK Sport and was constructed from 1996 to 1998 at a cost of $168,500,000. During the construction phase, the stadium was referred to as Tampa Community Stadium. The naming rights were purchased by Raymond James Financial for 13 years at a cost of $32,500,000. An extension was signed in 2006 to maintain the naming rights through 2026.

Located beyond the stadium's north endzone is Buccaneer Cove, which is modelled after a 19th century fishing village. The main attraction is a 103-ft, 43-ton steel-and-concrete replica pirate ship which serves as an entertainment area for fans. Other features of the Cove include a weathered, 2-story fishing village facade from which a wide variety of stadium concessions. Also located throughout the area are a variety of beach hut kiosks offering additional concessions, a 9 ft x 7 ft skull, and other game enhancements. From the ship, eight cannons fires six times for a touchdown, once for an extra point, twice for a safety or two point conversion, and three times for a field goal. An animated parrot sits at the stern of the pirate ship.

Among the events Raymond James Stadium hosted were Super Bowl XXXV in 2001, Super Bowl XLIII in 2009, and the Super Bowl LV in 2021, being the first time a team will play a Super Bowl in its own stadium. Also the 2008 and 2009 ACC Championship Games has been hosted here.
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   27°58'33"N   82°30'12"W
This article was last modified 5 years ago