The FHSAA is preparing to accept bids for a new host to the 2016, 2017 and 2018 football state championships, likely meaning an end to Orlando’s hosting of the state finals.
FHSAA has officially put out that they will be seeking bids for a potential new host for the 2016, 2017 & 2018 State football finals #flhsfb
— Florida HS Football (@FlaHSFootball) February 12, 2016
Orlando has hosted the state championship games since the mid-2000s at the Citrus Bowl, taking over for Florida Field in Gainesville.
The FHSAA is looking for a big stadium like the Citrus Bowl that can house media and at least 10,000 fans, according to Florida High School Football. That limits some where the game could be played, but also opens the door to a smaller venue.
The decision does not completely eliminate an Orlando location or the Orlando Citrus Bowl, but in all likelihood the FHSAA is looking to get a little more space in the schedule.
@orlsportsdaily They can submit a bid, but I have heard rumblings that with all the college/pro events it may prevent them from bidding.
— Florida HS Football (@FlaHSFootball) February 12, 2016
Almost immediately after the end of the second weekend of the state championship games, the stadium had to be turned around for the AutoNation Cure Bowl and the bowl games following it — the Russell Athletic Bowl occurred 10 days later and the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl a few days after that. The schedule at the stadium got very busy and there had to be a quick turnaround.
Adding more intrigue too is the potential desire to play the state championship series in one weekend. For whatever reason, that was never done while the state championship games were played in Orlando.
It is a decent loss for the Orlando sports scene. The December calendar gets full of football with the bowl games, and the state championship games serve as a good appetizer for the games to come.
The high school state championships will continue elsewhere. Orlando will still send teams over there. And while Orlando seemed like a good place for the whole state to congregate — it is Central Florida, after all — there are obviously disadvantages.
Or perhaps the FHSAA wants to spread the state championship around and felt ready to make a move.
This part is unclear. It does seem however that the state championship series is leaving the Orlando Citrus Bowl.
