RELIAQUEST BOWL TO KICKOFF AT 12:00 PM ET ON NEW YEAR'S EVE 

Tampa, FL – ESPN and Tampa Bay Bowl Association officials today announced the ReliaQuest Bowl Game will play on Thursday, December 31st, 2026, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.  The game will kick off at 12:00 PM ET and be telecast internationally on ESPN TV.  The bowl will once again be the first game of the day's lineup.  The ReliaQuest Bowl continues to match teams from the SEC and the Big Ten Conference.  Last year's game featured Iowa vs Vanderbilt in a contest that averaged over 4.6 million viewers.  

The 2026 bowl will mark the 41st year of the game which was first played in 1986.  Tickets to the bowl will go on sale to the public in the fall through Ticketmaster with details to come.  Premium ticket packages are available now through the bowl office by calling 813-874-BOWL.  

About the Bowl:
The ReliaQuest Bowl typically attracts tens of thousands of out-of-market visitors each year from more than forty states who join local fans in generating an economic impact that has been estimated at more than $1.3 billion for the community over its history.  The game also generates tens of millions of dollars in exposure for the region each year and has contributed $190 million to universities over its history.  The Bowls Charitable Giving Initiative donates at least $500,000 each year to area non-profits with more than $5 million provided to over 230 area charities since 2016.

-RQB-