Florida Gators football to play Miami in Orlando

The Gators and Canes’ rivalry will be renewed, if only for a year.

The Florida Gators and Miami Hurricanes will open the 2019 season against each other, in the Camping World Kickoff at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. This is the first meeting between the two schools since 2013. At this time no official date has been set for the game.

“We are pleased to have partnered with Florida Citrus Sports and ESPN events to kick off the 2019 season against Miami” UF Athletics Director Jeremy Foley said in a school release. “Orlando is a great Gator city and we look forward to playing in front of our fans from all over the state of Florida and beyond.”

The newly renovated Citrus Bowl came to a multi-year agreement with Camping World, Florida Citrus Sports and ESPN Events to host major sporting events

“Florida Citrus Sports is proud to announce yet another big-time college football game for Orlando,” said FCSports Chief Executive Officer Steve Hogan. “We’re excited to pair two in-state teams for a match-up with tremendous appeal locally and nationally at the top of the 2019 season.”

The history between the two schools dates back to 1938 with Miami holding a 29-26 all-time lead. The meeting in 2019 will be the second between the schools in Orlando. Florida bested Miami 19-10 in the 1976 Tangerine Bowl. In six neutral site games Florida and Miami are knotted at 3-3.

“I am thrilled that a Florida and Miami matchup is on the schedule,” said Marcus Lemonis, Chairman and CEO of Camping World and Good Sam Enterprises and host of CNBC’s The Profit. “This is the type of high quality matchup that will drive fans to Camping World Stadium. This matchup will be a throw down at the 50-yard line!”

Nick de la Torre
A South Florida native, Nick developed a passion for all things sports at a very young age. His love for baseball was solidified when he saw Al Leiter’s no-hitter for the Marlins live in May of 1996. He was able to play baseball in college but quickly realized there isn’t much of a market for short, slow outfielders that hit around the Mendoza line. Wanting to continue with sports in some capacity he studied journalism at the University of Central Florida. Nick got his first start in the business as an intern for a website covering all things related to the NFL draft before spending two seasons covering the Florida football team at Bleacher Report. That job led him to GatorCountry. When he isn’t covering Gator sports, Nick enjoys hitting way too many shots on the golf course, attempting to keep up with his favorite t.v. shows and watching the Heat, Dolphins and Marlins. Follow him on twitter @NickdelatorreGC