Below, you'll find a complete breakdown of the 2008 Holiday Bowl, including ticket-buying options, San Diego accommodations and travel tips as well as an in-depth look at the teams.
The Bowl
The Holiday Bowl, sponsored by Pacific Life, is played on Tuesday, December 30th, 2008 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego California. Considered a top bowl destination outside of the BCS bowls, the Holiday Bowl matches up the #2 Pac-10 team against the #3 Big 12 team.
Initially conceived to feature the WAC Champion against a nationally ranked opponent, the Holiday Bowl came to the current agreement in 1995. 2004's match-up between Texas Tech and Cal was one of the better games of the bowl season, coming down to the wire in an upset Red Raiders victory over the Golden Bears, and the Oklahoma Sooners made a Holiday Bowl appearance in 2005 against Oregon.
The Site
Qualcomm Stadium has been around since the late 1960's (when it was San Diego Stadium) but was extensively expanded in 1984 and again in 1997, when it was renamed Qualcomm. It seats just over 70,000 and includes over 100 suites, 4 lounges, 3 restaurants and 2 state of the art video screens.
The stadium is located in the heart of San Diego, easily accessible from any of four freeways: 805, 163, 15 and 8. Here are driving directions for each possible entry detailed by the Holiday Bowl's website:
- From the north:
* On I-5: Turn east on I-8, exit north on Qualcomm Way and turn east on Friars Road to the stadium entrance.
* On I-15: Exit west on Friars Road and be prepared to turn left into the western-most stadium parking lot. - From the south:
* On Route 163: Exit at Friars Road and head east to the first stadium parking lot entrance.
* On I-5 or 805: Turn east on I-8, exit north on Qualcomm Way and turn east on Friars Road to the stadium entrance. - From the east:
* On I-8: Exit at Mission Gorge off-ramp, turn north on Mission Gorge, then west on San Diego Mission Road to the stadium entrance. - From the west:
* On I-8: Exit north on Qualcomm Way and turn east on Friars Road to the stadium entrance.
Parking fills up quickly and costs $15 for cars, $45 for vehicles over 20 feet long such as RV's.
Tickets
Tickets are selling fast. Oklahoma State Cowboys fans may be able to purchase tickets from the OSU online ticket office or from Ticketmaster.
Prices range from $70-85 for single tickets.
Proceed to Page 2 for information on travel to San Diego, accommodations and things to see and do...
