Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29
EverBank Stadium 1 Everbank Stadium Dr. Jacksonville, FL 32202
Year Opened: 1995
Capacity: 67,814
80 Years of Gator Bowl
Of the plethora of end of the season NCAA College Football Bowl Games, the Gator Bowl stands out as one of the longest tenured. Established in 1946, the Gator Bowl enjoyed its 80th edition in 2025. Normally played after the hustle and bustle of the New Year's Day games, the Gator Bowl has been a staple in Jacksonville, Florida and is among the most prestigious of the second tier Bowl games. Since 2012 the title sponsor for the game has been TaxSlayer.com and there was even a short tenure when the bowl was titled the TaxSlayer Bowl. The game currently features teams from the SEC, Big Ten and/or ACC. The 2025 edition pitted the Duke Blue Devils against the Ole Miss Rebels.
Home for the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl is EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, home of the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars. Built in 1995, EverBank Stadium replaced Gator Bowl Stadium and was built for the NFL. EverBank Stadium is due for a $1.4 billion renovation and should be ready for the 2028 NFL season. For the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl, the field is renamed the Bill Gay Grounds, making the official home of the Gator Bowl, Bill Gay Grounds @ EverBank Stadium. Bill Gay was the founder of W.W. Gay Mechanical Contractors Inc. and the former chair of the Gator Bowl Association.
Food & Beverage 3
The concession selections at EverBank Stadium are okay, but not over the top for an NFL facility. The majority of items fans will find on the menus are typical stadium fare including burgers, hot dogs, popcorn, chicken tenders, pizza and fries. There are a number of stands in the main concourse that serve alcoholic beverages and the beer selection is focused on major domestic brands. Coca-Cola products are the soft drink of choice here and there are a few spots with self serve options.
Atmosphere 3
The main entrances for EverBank Stadium are from the east and west. The west entrance is the most significant as it has the largest gathering area in front and the statue of the Jaguar for the NFL team. The exterior definitely gives off 1990s era vibes with huge ramps visible from the outside. It is not unattractive and there is some glass at the main west entrance. Before heading in the stadium, checking out the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Wall on the west side is a good plan. The Gator Bowl makes good use of the facilities in the area. Flex Field is the practice facility for the Jags and hosts the pregame tailgate, which is free for fans to enter. Once inside, fans can head to Daisy’s Place, the covered pavilion which is home to the pre-game pep rallies for each team. There is little in the way of markings for the Gator Bowl inside the stadium and it is clear to fans that this is the home of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Inside the seating bowl, fans will find two tiers of seating, with a massive lower level. For the 2025 edition of the Gator Bowl, the upper deck was closed off. The field runs from south to north and the best spot for the 50 yard line logo photo is from the west. However, when choosing seats, fans will want to do some research and ensure that they are on the side for the team that they are supporting. It is not critical, but will aid in the enjoyment of the game for fans who have a horse in the race. At the north and south ends, there are massive video boards, which are used well throughout the game and are crystal clear. There is a small pool that is glassed in at the upper level of the north end, but it was not in use for the 2025 game. The seats are definitely ready for replacement as they are faded and from a vintage where making seats smaller and cramming more in was the order of the day.
The gameday atmosphere at the Gator Bowl is solid. The pregame tailgate is in the Flex Field practice facility across the parking lot. Fans who enjoy the school bands will love this game as the bands perform three times, once each at the pep rally in Daisy’s Place, pre-game and halftime. There are other events that take place during the week that are part of the Gator Bowl festivities. A 5K race and pep rallies at Jacksonville Beach are highlights of the week’s events.
Neighborhood 4
EverBank Stadium is located in Downtown Jacksonville. There are a number of spots for fans who want some pre or post game food or drink. Intuition Ale Works, Tailgate Bar & Grill, Flavorikan, All American JAX, Chart House, Southern Grill and Avenue Gril are all options. There are other sporting options in Jacksonville and some may even coincide with the Gator Bowl. EverBank Stadium is also the home of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Just west on Adams Street are VyStar Ballpark and VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, homes of the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp and Jacksonville Icemen respectively. UNF Ospreys basketball or JU Dolphins basketball may also be of interest for fans. Other tourist attractions in Jacksonville include the Fairgrounds, USS Orleck Naval Museum, MOSH museum and Southbank Riverwalk. Jacksonville Beach is also a good option. For fans wishing to stay near the stadium, the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville is a good option.
Fans 3
Second tier bowl games are often dependent on the matchup that they can secure. The Gator Bowl is no different. The 2025 version of the game featured the Duke Blue Devils and the Ole Miss Rebels. The attendance for the game was just over 31,000. This was well below what would be considered a normal Gator Bowl crowd. This lead to the upper deck being completely empty.
Access 4
EverBank Stadium is located in Downtown Jacksonville, just north of St. John’s River and encircled by Gator Bowl Blvd. The junction of Highway 115 and Highway 1 is just north of the area and I-95 is about 3.5 km to the west. Getting to the area, therefore, is not that difficult. There are a number of surface parking lots in the area. Pre-Purchasing parking using a parking app is a good idea, especially for fans from out of town. For fans who wish to take public transit, there are buses on AP Randolph Blvd. Fans should consult the Jacksonville Transit Authority website for fares, schedules and maps. Getting around the stadium is not terribly difficult, although the concourses are a bit on the narrow side. The washroom facilities are adequate at the stadium.
Return on Investment 3
Tickets for the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl start at $50 and go up to $165. When purchasing bowl game tickets, patience is a virtue and the secondary market can offer good deals closer to the game, especially if the matchup is not involving high demand teams. Concession prices are what one would expect and parking will cost some money. The gameday atmosphere at the Gator Bowl is great and fans will definitely enjoy the experience.
Extras 3
An extra mark for the longevity of the Gator Bowl, with the 2025 edition marking the 80th Anniversary of the game.
An extra mark for the charities that the Gator Bowl foundation has donated money to.
An extra mark for the 2010 edition of the Gator Bowl, which marked the final game in iconic Florida State Coach Bobby Bowden’s career.
Final Thoughts
The longevity of the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl shows that the organizers must be doing something right. Although a second tier bowl game, fans will still enjoy the atmosphere at Bill Gay Grounds @ EverBank Stadium. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for the Gator Bowl once the renovation of EverBank Stadium commences. The game will temporarily be bumped to a different site and will definitely offer a different atmosphere upon its return to Jacksonville.
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