TAMPA, Fla. — The matchup is set, and college football fans are descending on Tampa to close out 2025 with a grit-and-grind showdown. The Iowa Hawkeyes will face off against the Vanderbilt Commodores in the 2025 ReliaQuest Bowl, bringing a classic Big Ten vs. SEC battle to Raymond James Stadium on New Year’s Eve.
Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. ET (11:00 a.m. CT) this Wednesday, December 31, with national coverage airing on ESPN.
While the Iowa-Vanderbilt pairing is the headline event, organizers have packed the schedule with enough pageantry to rival the major New Year’s Six bowls.
The halftime show alone promises to be a logistical marvel. Sponsored by Expedient, the mid-game performance will flood the field with over 2,000 entertainers.
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Spectators will see not just the Hawkeye and Commodore marching bands, but a massive collective of high school musicians from across the nation performing alongside an all-star dance troupe.
The game serves as the capstone of a week-long celebration in the Bay Area. Leading up to the Wednesday kickoff, players and supporters from both universities have been touring local staples, including a dedicated day at Busch Gardens. The festivities also spilled into the streets of Ybor City for the ReliaQuest Bowl Parade, bringing floats and fanfare to Tampa’s historic district.
Tickets for the showdown at 4201 N Dale Mabry Hwy have been on sale since November via Ticketmaster. With a prime noon kickoff, the game offers a high-energy start to New Year’s Eve celebrations for thousands of visiting fans before they ring in 2026.
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