The 2011 Champs Sports Bowl, the first cornerstone game of Orlando Bowl Week, will take place on Thursday, December 29, at the Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium.  The game will kick off at 5:30 p.m. and be televised nationally on ESPN.

This year will mark the Champs Sports Bowl???s second year of pairing upper-tier teams from the Atlantic Coast and the Big East conferences.  The 2011 Champs Sports Bowl, which will be played on Dec. 29th for the fifth time in its 22-year history, will again feature the second post-BCS selection from the ACC and the first post-BCS pick in the Big East, as well as the opportunity to select Notre Dame.

???Orlando Bowl Week has traditionally been a boon for local businesses and we look forward to playing host to fans from our four great conference partners again in 2011-12,??? said FCSports President Ruffin. ???Orlando has the best infrastructure of all bowl cities in terms of travel and entertainment and our matchups of top-flight teams make the week second-to-none.???

The Champs Sports Bowl has continued to make great progress since moving to Orlando.  Last year was the first time in nine years that attendance dipped, an eight-year trend that was unmatched in the bowl industry. The 2011 payout of $4.55 million is also among the industry???s best for non-BCS games. 

The Champs Sports Bowl has existed in name since 2004, but the game???s history extends for over 20 years now.  Originating as the Blockbuster Bowl in 1990 and played in Miami, the game was played under a number of titles before moving to Orlando in 2001 and serving as a reincarnation of the old Tangerine Bowl.  

Champs Sports bowl tickets can be purchased for as little as $30 ($30-70) and Uprights Club seats at $200. Prices do not include facility or convenience charges. Tickets go on sale to the general public September 1, but tickets to both Orlando Bowl Week games are available by purchasing a 2011-12 Florida Citrus Sports Membership.