Preview Of The Orange Bowl

The Orange Bowl is one of six highly anticipated games in the Bowl Championship series of college football. For nearly 80 years, South Floridians have rung in the new year with the big game as it takes place on New Year's Day. There's been some significant changes to the Orange Bowl in recent years, such as the location of the game (from Miami Orange Bowl to Sun Life Stadium), headlining sponsor (FedEx to Discover Financial) and network with broadcasting rights (FOX to ESPN). What's remained unchanged is the enthusiasm from fans, locally and nationally, and the thousands of attendees that flock to South Florida to say Happy New Year in a football state of mind.

2013 Discover Orange Bowl

Sun Life Stadium
347 Don Shula Drive
Miami Gardens, FL 33056
(305) 341-4700
www.orangebowl.org

Date: Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Click here for tickets.

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Getting There

Sun Life Stadium is the location for the Discover Orange Bowl and is conveniently located near the Florida Turnpike in Miami Gardens.

If you're heading south from cities like Deerfield Beach, Ft. Lauderdale or Hollywood, you can access the Turnpike going south and choose one of two exits. The first is Exit 2X, also known as the Dolphin Toll Plaza. It puts you right next to the stadium. You can also exit at 27th Avenue/University Drive. The drive from this exit to the stadium is only about five minutes.

Fans driving north to the stadium from places like Miami, Coral Gables or Kendall can access Interstate 95 northbound. If you know your way around Miami-Dade County and want to avoid paying a toll, you can stay on I-95, exiting at Ives Dairy Road. Then, head east for about 10-12 minutes until you see the stadium on your left. For a faster route, or for those not familiar with the local roads, take the Florida Turnpike from I-95 and exit at the Dolphin Toll Plaza.

If you're traveling from Miami Beach, North Miami Beach or Miami Lakes, take State Road 826 also known as the Palmetto Expressway. Exit at Northwest 27th Avenue (which is accessible going east or west). Drive north on Northwest 27th Avenue and you'll arrive at Sun Life Stadium in less than 10 minutes.

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Experiencing The Game At The Stadium

Arguably, the greatest way to have a complete experience at a football game is to partake in some tailgating. It's a time-honored tradition that builds camaraderie, bolsters excitement for the team you're rooting for and breathes life into friendly competition with fans of the opposing team. It's also a fantastic opportunity to try some awesome food. Sun Life Stadium encourages tailgating for the Discover Orange Bowl and has a list of guidelines for patrons. Some of the rules include:

• Tailgaters are permitted one (1) parking space per vehicle
• Each parking space has a designated space for tailgating, measuring 8 feet by 10 feet
• Patrons are not allowed to bring in outside catering sources or kegs

For the complete list of tailgating rules, visit www.sunlifestadium.com.

The fan-focused event, Orange Bowl Game Day Fan Zone, is another excellent option to enhance your game-day experience. It's an event within an event, offering an abundance of festive activities including fun interactive games and live musical performances. The gates to the stadium open at 1:30 p.m. for this event. Since the game starts at 8 p.m., you can truly make a day of it at the stadium.

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Experiencing The Game Away From The Stadium

This scenario is typical for thousands of college football fans: you want to watch the game but prefer not to be among the large crowds at the stadium. Alternatively, the tickets were sold out. Or you wanted to be in the comfort of your own home or hang out with friends at a local gathering spot. Enjoying the Orange Bowl away from the stadium is equally easy. With today's technology, the visuals will make you feel like you're actually there.

ESPN knows sports and serves as the new broadcast home of the Discover Orange Bowl. Plan a game party at your home or at a friend's. The network will provide every exciting second of field play and commentary from experts. For a rich and realistic viewing experience, watch the game in high definition on ESPN HD. The crisp, clear resolution of HD quality will illuminate the game into a real-life form.

If you're looking to hang out with friends and family, or other football enthusiasts in a casual setting, local eateries aptly fit the bill. Area restaurants and sports bars regularly air games from different sports in their establishments, bowl games especially. These places see an increase in patrons and revenue and patrons can enjoy good grub while watching the big game. It's a win-win for both parties.

Miller's Ale House and Duffy's Sports Grill (various locations across South Florida) are two of the most popular options. Miller's Ale House provides an experience typical of the big game day: quality pub-style food and an abundance of beer. The menu includes staples like burgers and wings. In addition, there are 75 beers available on tap.

Duffy's Sports Grill has become a local institution in South Florida. As a sponsor for the professional sports teams in the area, including the Miami Dolphins and Florida Panthers, the establishment is all about sports, from the décor to the memorabilia. The great selection of dishes from the grill provides your taste buds with the tailgating experience without being outdoors.

For nearly 20 years, Shawanda James has been actively involved in creative writing in Miami, Florida. In addition to her work as a freelance writer, she is actively seeking publication for her debut novel and collection of poetry. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.