Outback Steakhouse Extends Title Sponsorship of Outback Bowl Through 2026

Outback Bowl to contribute $45 million to universities & $3.5 million to charities

Tampa, FL — Outback Bowl officials announced today that long-time Title Sponsor Outback Steakhouse has agreed to extend its contract with the New Year’s Day Bowl for six additional years through the January 2026 game. Officials also announced that over the next seven games the Outback Bowl will contribute $45 million to universities and donate at least $3.5 million to charities through its Charitable Giving Initiative.

As the longest college bowl game title sponsor in history, the Tampa-based company’s extension will place its name sponsorship of the bowl out to a total of 31 years. 

“Outback has a special history with Tampa Bay and college football,” said Gregg Scarlett, President of Outback Steakhouse. “As we head into our 25th years as the Outback Bowl title sponsor, we are excited to carry on this hometown tradition for another six years.”

“We are proud to announce the continuation of our long-term relationship with Outback Steakhouse,” said Outback Bowl President/CEO Jim McVay. “With Outback Steakhouse’s continued commitment, the Outback Bowl will be able to grow the more than $1 billion economic impact it has generated to date, allow us to continue to positively showcase the Tampa Bay region both nationally and internationally, add to the almost $150 million generated for universities and expand our Charitable Giving Initiative program which has already benefited over ninety non-profits. 

The Bowl is celebrating its 34th game in January attracting tens-of-thousands of out-of-market visitors to the area each year from typically more than forty states. 

Over its history, the game has generated an estimated $1 billion in economic impact for the Tampa Bay community, hundreds-of-millions of dollars in exposure for the region and contributed $149 million in payouts to universities. In 2016 the bowl also began a Charitable Giving Initiative which has already donated over $1 million to ninety charities.

The Outback Bowl is currently in negotiations with network partner ESPN and officials from the Big Ten and Southeastern Conferences about extending those relationships as well. 

The 2020 Outback Bowl will be played on January 1st. Special priority seating membership packages can be purchased directly through the Outback Bowl office by calling (813) 874-BOWL. Non-membership tickets will go on sale through Ticketmaster in August. For more information go to www.outbackbowl.com 

About the Outback Bowl:

The Outback Bowl, featuring teams from the Big Ten Conference and Southeastern Conference, is played in Raymond James Stadium and will celebrate its 34th game on January 1, 2020. Over its history it has brought more than a million out of market visitors to the region while creating an estimated $1 billion in economic impact and distributing $149 million to universities. It has also contributed more than $1 million to charities since 2016. For information on the bowl go to www.OutbackBowl.com or call 813-874-BOWL.

About Outback Steakhouse:

Outback Steakhouse starts fresh every day to create the flavors that our customers crave. Best known for grilled steaks, chicken and seafood, Outback also offers a wide variety of crisp salads and freshly made soups and sides. New creations and grilled classics are made from scratch daily using only the highest quality ingredients sourced from around the world. For more information, please visit www.outback.com or www.facebook.com/outback.