The Russell Athletic Bowl will host the first available selection after the College Football Playoff system from the ACC, including Notre Dame, beginning with the 2014-15 season.

The Russell Athletic Bowl has historically featured some of college football’s best players and teams since moving to Orlando in 2000. The game has elevated its profile steadily over that time, with nine of the games (out of 12) featuring an attendance increase over the previous year.

“The Russell Athletic Bowl is proud to continue its relationship with the Atlantic Coast Conference,” said Florida Citrus Sports President Tony Massey. “Acquiring the conference’s top selection after the College Football Playoff system, along with the ability to select Notre Dame, demonstrates the progress the bowl has made and firmly establishes it among the nation’s top postseason games. Orlando offers the perfect setting for the student-athlete and fan experience by providing both top flight football and world-class entertainment.”

Since 2001, eight different ACC teams have appeared in Orlando. Notre Dame, which joins the ACC’s bowl lineup in 2014, appeared in the game in 2011.

“We are pleased that our future bowl partnerships include opportunities with the Capital One and Russell Athletic Bowls,” said ACC Commissioner John Swofford. “Orlando is an energetic city that has built two terrific postseason experiences that are highly successful. Our annual presence in the Russell Athletic Bowl, plus occasional appearances in the Capital One Bowl, is a real positive for our ACC teams and fans.”

The 2014 game will also be the first played in a reconstructed Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium. The transformation will be fully complete in 2015.

The 2013 Russell Athletic Bowl will be played on Saturday, December 28 and will be telecast on ESPN. Priority seating is available through Florida Citrus Sports membership packages. For more information, visit www.FloridaCitrusSports.com or call 407.423.2476.