Orlando Emerges as Possible Temporary Home for Jaguars During Stadium Renovation
A potential suitor has emerged in the growing discussion regarding where the Jaguars could relocate ahead of the start of extensive renovations to their home stadium beginning in 2025.
On Friday, Steve Hogan, the CEO of Florida Citrus Sports, joined the conversation on possible host cities by casting Orlando as a destination with the Jags’ temporary move seemingly on the horizon. Hogan oversees a nonprofit event management company that operates various events, such as the Citrus Bowl, from Orlando’s Camping World Stadium.
“I’ve been telling just about anybody who will listen to me that NFL regular-season football needs to be in Orlando,” Hogan told the Orlando Sentinel. “If we can’t have our own team, then I think Orlando is the perfect market to help build your brand in. We’d love to have the Jags come down here and play.”
TIAA Bank Field, the Jaguars’ home since 1995, has been a topic of interest since Jacksonville mayor Lenny Curry recently addressed upcoming plans to renovate the stadium. Curry told the media Wednesday that the process could take at least two years, which would likely force the Jaguars to play their 2025 and ’26 home games elsewhere.
Orlando, which is located roughly 140 miles from Jacksonville, may end up on a future list of host cities, although it may take some time for the Jaguars to settle on a temporary home.
In addition to impacting the Jaguars, the TIAA Bank Field renovations are expected to affect the future of the annual Georgia–Florida rivalry game that also takes place in the stadium. Curry said the schools may end up alternating home games at their respective stadiums over the course of the renovations.
