2018 Outback Bowl Events: What To Know Before You Go

CLEARWATER, FL – For more than 30 years, the Outback Bowl has been a staple of celebrating the New Year in Tampa. However, the party will start a week before the big game with events celebrating the 2018 Outback Bowl.

From a trip to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay to a party on the beach, the Outback Bowl will host a week of pageantry and parties to welcome the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Michigan Wolverines to the Bay area. Both teams are scheduled to arrive at their hotels on Tuesday, Dec. 26.

Here’s what fans and residents need to know before you go to the 208 Outback Bowl Events that are open to the public:

Players Night at Splitsville

Before they meet face to face at Raymond James Stadium, the Gamecocks and Wolverines will face off on the lanes of Splitsville, 615 Channelside Drive in Tampa on Wednesday, Dec. 27. Fans can join the teams as they participate in an evening of fun and games. Splitsville will be open to the teams only from 6 to 7:15 p.m. The doors open to the public at 7:15.

Busch Gardens Team Outing

The Gamecocks and the Wolverines will head to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, 10165 N. McKinley Drive in Tampa, to enjoy the theme park on Thursday, Dec. 28. The event is open to the public, but general admission tickets are required to attend. For tickets and more information, visit https://seaworldparks.com/en/buschgardens-tampa/.

Team Night with the Tampa Bay Lightning

The next sports-themed night for the Gamecocks and Wolverines before the 2018 Outback Bowl will be attending the Friday, Dec. 29 Tampa Bay Lightning game against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Drive in Tampa. For more information or to purchase tickets, call (813) 301-6600 or visit https://www.nhl.com/lightning.

Clearwater Beach Day

Clearwater’s white sand beaches will create the backdrop for the 2018 Outback Bowl Clearwater Beach Day on Saturday, Dec. 30. South Carolina’s and Michigan’s football teams, cheerleaders and marching bands will appear at the event on the beach at the Hilton Clearwater Beach, 400 Mandalay Ave., next to Pier 60. Activities include live music, skydivers, a tug-of-war and other contests from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Participants are invited to stay to watch the spectacular sunset at approximately 5:46 p.m. at Pier 60.

Battle of the Bands

The University of South Carolina Marching Band, “The Mighty Sound of the Southeast,” and the University of Michigan Marching Band will have their share of the action when the two bands face off at the Busch Gardens Battle of the Bands on Sunday, Dec. 31. The time has yet to be announced. The event is open to the public, but general admission tickets are required to attend. For tickets and more information, visit https://seaworldparks.com/en/buschgardens-tampa/.

Outback Bowl New Year’s Eve Parade

Celebrate the New Year and college football with the 2018 Outback Bowl New Year’s Eve Parade and pep rally on Sunday, Dec. 31 starting at 5:30 p.m. along Seventh Avenue in Ybor City, which neighbors downtown Tampa. The parade will feature about 20 marching bands, including both the Gamecocks’ and Wolverines’ marching bands. The pep rally will feature a battle of the bands and cheerleaders from the two universities. No coolers, glass containers or open alcohol are allowed on the streets.

Tampa New Year’s Eve Celebrations

After the 2018 Outback Bowl New Year’s Eve Parade, fans in town can hit New Year’s Aqua Eve at The Florida Aquarium, 701 Channelside Drive, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. The event features complimentary food, beer and wine along with a champagne toast with a great view of Tampa’s fireworks display at midnight. Taylor Reed and Trae Pierce & the T-Stones are the scheduled entertainment. The event is restricted to ages 21 and older. General admission is $130. VIP ticket packages are also available. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit http://www.flaquarium.org/.

Pregame Bowl Bash

The 2018 Outback Bowl will begin with the annual Pregame Bowl Bash outside of Raymond James Stadium on Monday, Jan. 1 at 9 a.m. The event will feature live music, a pep rally, various displays from Busch Gardens, GEICO, Florida Blue, the U.S. Airforce, Visit St. Pete/Clearwater, Outback Steakhouse and more. Refreshments will be available for purchase.

For more information, visit http://www.outbackbowl.com/.

Image and video via TheOutbackBowl YouTube channel