Gator Bowl Stadium
From high school field to NFL home: the Gator Bowl's legacy in Jacksonville.
The Gator Bowl was an American football stadium located in Jacksonville, Florida. Originally built in 1927, all but a small portion of the facility was razed in 1994 in preparation for the inaugural season of the Jacksonville Jaguars, an NFL expansion team that began play in 1995. The reconstructed stadium became Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, now known as EverBank Stadium.
Quick Facts
- Role
- Original Home Stadium (1995-2001)
- Location
- Jacksonville, Florida
- First game date
- September 3, 1995
- First opponent
- Denver Broncos
- Surface type
- Natural Grass
- Status
- Renamed and Reconfigured (Now EverBank Stadium)
Lore & Background
The stadium was originally built as Fairfield Stadium in 1927 and 1928 with a seating capacity of 7,600. It was renamed the Gator Bowl after expansions. The Beatles played a concert there on September 11, 1964, and refused to play unless the audience was desegregated; city officials relented, and the band played to an integrated audience. The concert was held the day after Hurricane Dora struck, and 23,000 fans attended.
Reader's Guide
The stadium hosted the Gator Bowl from 1949 to 1993, the Florida–Georgia game from 1933 to 1993, and the 1950 Senior Bowl. It was home to the Jacksonville Sharks (1974) and Jacksonville Express (1975) of the WFL, the Jacksonville Tea Men (1981–1984) of the NASL, and the Jacksonville Bulls (1984–1985) of the USFL. It also hosted the 1968 and 1969 AFL All-Star Games.
Did You Know?
- The 1994 Gator Bowl was held in Gainesville while the new stadium was being built.
- Almost none of the original infrastructure remains except the west upper deck and ramping system.
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