ORLANDO, Fla. — The NFL has approved a plan that will allow the Jacksonville Jaguars to temporarily relocate their home games to Camping World Stadium in Orlando for the 2027 season as renovations to Jacksonville’s home stadium progress.
The decision marks a temporary but significant change for one of Florida’s three NFL franchises, positioning Orlando as the primary host city for pro football during the renovation period.
Temporary move during major upgrade
The Jaguars’ current home, Everbank Stadium, will undergo a comprehensive renovation aimed at modernizing the facility, improving fan amenities, and ensuring its long-term viability as an NFL venue. With construction expected to disrupt the 2027 season, league owners agreed to the relocation plan to maintain schedule continuity.
Team owner Shahid Khan is the driving force behind the stadium renovations, which are widely seen as critical to keeping the franchise competitive on and off the field.
Orlando is in the spotlight
Hosting a full NFL season would be a huge opportunity for Orlando, a city known more for its tourism and college football events than its professional franchises. Camping World Stadium, which has hosted bowl games, neutral college games and international soccer events, will undergo some adjustments to meet NFL standards.
Local officials and tourism industry leaders are already hoping for a significant economic boost from the temporary measures, including increased hotel bookings, restaurant traffic and increased national exposure.
Impact on communities across Florida
The move will likely draw fans from across Central Florida and beyond, including those who don’t normally travel to Jacksonville for games. It also creates a unique moment in time as Florida effectively spreads NFL games across multiple major metropolitan areas, including Tampa, Miami, and now Orlando.
The move poses a logistical challenge for Jaguars fans in North Florida, but the organization is expected to develop transportation options and fan engagement efforts to maintain support during the transition year.
what happens next
Ultimately, the construction schedule will determine whether the Jaguars return to Jacksonville for the 2028 season as planned. Team officials have emphasized that the move to Orlando is only temporary and that Jacksonville remains the team’s long-term home.
Still, the 2027 season could serve as a testing ground for whether Orlando could host an NFL team, even for one year, and could prompt future discussions about the city’s role in expanding professional sports.
