Since their inaugural season in 1995, the Jacksonville Jaguars have called Duval County home, playing every game at what’s now known as EverBank Stadium—though it’s gone by various names over the years. The franchise has yet to win a Super Bowl, but it’s had its share of memorable moments, from Tom Coughlin and Jimmy Smith leading playoff runs in the late 1990s to Blake Bortles nearly securing a Super Bowl berth in the 2017 AFC Championship Game. Those highs have all unfolded in Jacksonville, a city that fiercely supports its team. But in 2027, the Jaguars will be on the move—temporarily—due to a massive $1.4 billion renovation project dubbed “The Stadium of the Future,” and Orlando is emerging as a leading candidate to host them.
The renovation, approved by NFL owners in October 2024, will transform EverBank Stadium into a modern marvel, with features like a partial roof, expanded concourses, and a reflective outer coating to reduce heat. The project, set to finish by August 2028, requires the Jaguars to play elsewhere for the 2027 season, though they’ll remain in Jacksonville with reduced capacity in 2025 (60,000) and 2026 (43,500). Orlando’s Camping World Stadium, about 140 miles from Jacksonville, has taken a big step toward becoming the team’s temporary home. On March 25, 2025, Orange County approved at least $10 million in funding to lure the Jaguars, a move backed by Florida Citrus Sports, which estimates each of the eight home games could generate $20 million in economic impact—potentially $160 million total for the local economy.
Orlando isn’t the only contender. The University of Florida’s Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, known as “The Swamp,” is also in the running. Located just 72 miles from Jacksonville—half the distance to Orlando—The Swamp can hold 88,548 fans, compared to Camping World’s 60,219, and boasts the state-of-the-art communication tech the NFL demands. However, Gainesville faces logistical challenges like parking and lodging in a smaller college town, and the stadium may need upgrades, such as new visitors’ locker rooms, to meet NFL standards. Jaguars president Mark Lamping has called both venues “very good candidates,” noting Orlando’s edge in logistics for visiting teams and its history of hosting NFL events, including five of the last seven Pro Bowls.
A bidding war could be brewing. Posts on X show Orlando’s push has sparked excitement, with some fans calling it a “no-brainer” due to Camping World’s NFL readiness and proximity to Duval County. Others note Gainesville’s closer distance and ties to the Jaguars through the annual Florida-Georgia game, though that rivalry will move to Atlanta in 2026 and Tampa in 2027 due to the renovations. The Jaguars also have the option to play up to three home games in London in 2027, a provision in their agreement with the city, which could reduce the number of games at a temporary U.S. venue.
A decision is expected this summer, likely at the NFL owners’ meeting in May, where the team will submit a recommendation after months of surveys with fans, sponsors, and football operations. For now, the Jaguars aren’t leaving Jacksonville for good—the renovation deal includes a 30-year lease and a non-relocation agreement, securing their future in Duval County. But for 2027, Orlando’s $10 million incentive might just tip the scales, bringing the Jags to Central Florida for a season—unless Gainesville makes a stronger play. Either way, Jaguars fans will have a new, albeit temporary, game-day destination to cheer on their team.
