FBC Mortgage Stadium – UCF Knights

FBC Mortgage Stadium, UCF Knights Student Section

Fanfare Score

Total Score
4.43

Crowd Score

Total Score
3.14

 

 

Football at Space U

A championship parade down Main Street USA in Disney’s Magic Kingdom. Two back-to-back undefeated regular seasons. Multiple conference titles and New Year’s Bowl bids, and now a top-tier head coach in Gus Malzan. The Knights and their fans are on the highest of highs in the last half decade. Arguably the most visible and fastest growing program in NCAA Football, UCF has long been a hidden gem among college game-day experiences. However, the latest round of popularity has only helped this notoriety grow even further into the mainstream.

A trip to a Knights football game at FBC Mortgage Stadium reveals that the college football experience is alive and well on the campus of UCF. From the tailgating all across campus to the in-game fan interaction, the average uninitiated fan who isn’t familiar with the Knights will be surprised by this atmosphere.

Food & Beverage   5

After having average food options for many years, UCF invested in local businesses and upgraded their options. By far the star of the concessions at FBC Mortgage Stadium is Four Rivers BBQ; this central Florida BBQ restaurant has become a local favorite and can now be found at UCF football games. Other popular options at the stadium are the $8 Knights Dog (featuring an all-beef hot dog topped with shredded pork, queso blanco, onions, and salsa), nachos ($6), chicken Caesar wraps ($9), and mixed greens house salads ($9). Drink options include souvenir sodas ($6 with $3 refills), SmartWater ($6), and bottled water and soft drinks ($4-$4.50). In addition, students get discounts on certain food and drink items with their student id, including $2 hot dogs and $2 bottled water.

Atmosphere   5

There is a reason they call UCF’s home stadium the Bounce House – the fans keep this facility rocking all game, and the stands can be felt bouncing along as the fans hype up the players on the field. Holding approximately 45,000, the stadium gets very loud as well. The pre-game tailgating is incredibly vast, covering nearly every open lot and green space on campus for hours before the game even starts, reaching from the lots at the stadium itself all the way across campus to the far corners of the academic buildings. The facilities at the Bounce House are immaculate as well, and during the game everything one expects from a college football game is here, from the band performances to the Golden Knight riding onto the field on horseback before kickoff.

The fans are sport-knowledgeable and know their favorite players well. Unlike some Florida colleges where fans go to be part of a fad or part of the scene, the fans at the Bounce House go out of pure loyalty. UCF games are truly a sight to behold for a college many have dismissed as just another mid-major team. Packed and sold-out games are a frequent occurrence in Orlando, and it is easy to see why.

Neighborhood   4

FBC Mortgage Stadium is located on the campus of UCF; both the immediate area around the stadium and the campus itself are chock full of places to find food and shopping. Just outside the stadium’s main gate are Addition Financial Arena and UCF’s baseball stadium. Here, you can also find the UCF campus bookstore and associated Starbucks, as well as Burger U, the campus bar and burger/wings joint frequented by fans and students. Outside of campus you can find Blaze Pizza, Tijuana Flats, and countless more restaurants.

For somewhere to stay, the closest options are Hilton Garden Inn and DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando East. Fans in the area are also less than an hour from Cocoa Beach and Kennedy Space Center to the east, while to the west they can find downtown Orlando and Lake Eola Park.

Fans   5

The fans at UCF are among some of the best in college football. The stadium is frequently sold out for season tickets, thanks to the team’s recent successes, and when FBC Mortgage Stadium is full to the gills with upwards of 45,000 fans, the noise level gets really loud!

Before the game starts the parking lots and garages all over campus are packed full of tailgating fans. Most of all, the experience at the Bounce House is extremely family friendly – you will see the full range of fans from older generations who have been long-time Central Florida residents, to the youngest fans with growing families.

Access   3

The biggest difficulty of game day at FBC Mortgage Stadium is the parking and traffic in and around the stadium. Being that the stadium is located on campus, the roads in and out of the facility are small and get clogged quickly. Parking lots and garages fill up fast, so getting to the stadium early helps avoid a longer walk from across campus to the stadium’s gates in the hot Florida sun. Thankfully the school has done a great job of managing the traffic flow in and out of campus. Additionally, new updates to FBC Mortgage Stadium’s ingress and egress means no longer having to enter one gate and navigating the entire rest of the concourse to find your seat.

Return on Investment   5

Tickets to UCF games start at $14 and go up from there. Students can also purchase student-guest tickets for $25-$28 on the day of the game on a first-come first-serve basis, for guests to sit in the student section with them. With ticket prices for top-level college football in Florida’s great weather, it won’t break the bank to take the family or friends to a game on a given Saturday. In addition, with concessions prices also low and with top quality food, you can also feel comfortable knowing getting a bite to eat won’t cost an arm and a leg.

Extras   4

Outside the main entrance to FBC Mortgage Stadium stands a statue of former head coach George O’Leary; it is a popular photo spot for fans. The team also features a horse-riding knight clad in golden armor who rides into the stadium before kickoff, with the marching band in full parade behind him. This march starts in the tailgating areas and proceeds into the stadium after marching past the fans outside.

In addition, there are the upper suites on the north side of the stadium, with the Black and Gold Cabana, and finally, the end zone seating bungalows offer suites for VIPs and groups that give you an unparalleled view of the field during the game.

Final Thoughts

While many may not have once thought of UCF when it comes to the best college experiences in Florida, the team has quickly turned that opinion around for fans who have entered the gates at FBC Mortgage Stadium. A growing and expanding program like UCF warrants increased interest from fans, and it is easy to see why they are flocking to Orlando. A visit to Orlando’s hometown team is now almost a must-see for any sports fan traveling through the state of Florida.

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Food and Drink Recommendations

 

Burger U

Tower 3, 4233 E Plaza Dr

Orlando, FL 32816

(407) 882-0450

http://www.burgeruucf.com/


 

Tijuana Flats

11551 University Blvd #6

Orlando, FL 32817

(407) 601-4935

https://tijuanaflats.com/stores/ucf/


 
 

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Entertainment Recommendations

 

Kennedy Space Center

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Space Commerce Way

Merritt Island, FL 32953

(855) 433-4210

https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/


 

Cocoa Beach

Cocoa Beach, FL 32931

http://www.cityofcocoabeach.com/


 

 

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Lodging Recommendations

 

Hilton Garden Inn Orlando East

1959 N Alafaya Trl

Orlando, FL 32826

(407) 992-5000

https://hiltongardeninn3.hilton.com/en/hotels/florida/hilton-garden-inn-orlando-east/


 

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Orlando East

12125 High Tech Ave

Orlando, FL 32817

(407) 275-9000

http://doubletree3.hilton.com/en/hotels/florida/doubletree-by-hilton-hotel-orlando-east/


 
 
 

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Crowd Reviews

Latest Crowd Reviews

Date: 2018-10-09 19:10:27
By: Legacy Review

Total Score
3.14

The stadium experience at the Bounce House is not what it used to be, but it’s also about to grow into something better than it was. This program will continue to build under the new leadership of Head Coach Scott Frost. There is a lot of excitement in visiting some of the best traditions in college football, but it’s also special to visit a campus that continues to build a legacy. The area around the stadium continues to grow with new businesses and opportunities. There will continue to be a demand for quality football in Orlando and with that success brings 44,000 jumping fans into the stadium. Once this is accomplished, there will be no stopping these Knights.

Stadium Info

FBC Mortgage Stadium
4465 Knights Victory Way
Orlando, FL 32816

UCF Knights website

FBC Mortgage Stadium website

Year Opened: 2007

Capacity: 44,206

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