How much money does the Orange Bowl pay?

The Orange Bowl is one of the oldest and most prestigious collegiate football bowl games in the United States. It is held annually in the Miami metropolitan area since its inception on January 1, 1935. The first event resembling a bowl game was the Festival of Palms Bowl in 1932, which aimed to boost Miami's economy during the Great Depression. However, it was not until 1935 that the Orange Bowl was officially recognized by the NCAA, marking a turning point in its history. The inaugural game featured Bucknell defeating Miami (Florida), setting the stage for future competitions. Initially played at Miami Field, the Orange Bowl moved to the Miami Orange Bowl stadium in 1938. This venue served as its home until 1996, when the game relocated to Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, which boasts a capacity of 64,767. It also serves as the home field for both the Miami Dolphins and the University of Miami Hurricanes.

Throughout its history, the Orange Bowl has evolved significantly. It was a vital part of various college football championship systems, including the Bowl Championship Series (BCS), and later the College Football Playoff (CFP). The game typically features teams from prominent conferences, with a strong affiliation to the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). This association ensures that the ACC champion often participates unless they are involved in a national championship semifinal. The Orange Bowl has also been instrumental in broadcasting history, as it was one of the first bowl games to be televised live in prime time during the classic matchup between Texas and Alabama in 1965. This event marked a significant milestone in bringing college football into homes across America.

How much money does the Orange Bowl pay?

According to reports from Forbes and Washington Post, the payouts for teams participating in the 2025 Orange Bowl have been approximately $6 million per team. This figure is part of a broader financial arrangement associated with bowl games and the College Football Playoff (CFP) system. According to the 2024/25 CFP system, the Orange Bowl would serve as one of the semi-finals of CFP, which would be the winners of Fiesta and Sugar Bowls. The Orange Bowl is affiliated with the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), which plays a significant role in determining how payouts are distributed. Each conference receives a base payout from bowl games, which is then allocated among its member institutions. For instance, conferences with contracts for their champions to participate in major bowls like the Orange Bowl typically see higher distributions compared to those without such agreements. The Orange Bowl Committee operates as a nonprofit organization, which means that its financial dealings are subject to public scrutiny.