The Jacksonville Jaguars’ planned stadium renovation could temporarily move the team’s home games to one of motorsports’ most famous venues.
The Jags are set to meet soon with Daytona International Speedway officials about potentially playing there.
The NFL team’s proposed overhaul of TIAA Bank Stadium — an effort dubbed “the Stadium of the Future” and projected to cost more than $2 billion after related development — hasn’t clarified where the team will play during a construction period that could last between two and four years.
Initial candidates for a temporary venue include Orlando’s Camping World Stadium and Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville — the Florida Gators’ home better known as “The Swamp.”
Now, the site of the Daytona 500 is joining the list. The 101,500-seat venue’s existing schedule and layout for racing each present challenges, but both sides remain intrigued with the possibility.
“If the stars align where we could host one game or multiple games, we would be very proud,” said Frank Kelleher, DIS president, to the Daytona Beach News-Journal.
Orlando Stadium Push
Camping World Stadium’s bid to land the Jaguars could receive a boost if Florida Citrus Sports lands $800 million in public funds for facility renovations.
The nonprofit organization that stages several college football games and other events at the stadium has made a new pitch for tourism tax funds to complete venue upgrades started in 2014.
The facility also currently hosts the Orlando Guardians of the revamped but struggling XFL.
