Below, you'll find a complete breakdown of the 2009 FedEx BCS National Championship, including ticket-buying options, Miami accommodations and travel tips as well as an in-depth look at the teams.
The Bowl
The Orange Bowl Committee is responsible for the 2009 BCS National Championship, sponsored by FedEx, and the game will be played on Thursday, January 8th, 2009 at Dolphin Stadium in Miami, Florida. Since 2006, the site of the National Championship game rotates each year among the 4 BCS Bowls (Orange, Sugar, Rose and Fiesta), and it is played one week following New Year's Day.
The BCS National Championship game has had its share of controversy wince its creation in 1998. Last year, a 2-loss LSU Tigers team made the game over a number of other 2-loss, major-conference teams. In 2004, an undefeated Auburn team was left out, and USC was not selected the year before despite being ranked #1 in the polls. After winning their bowl game convincingly, USC was named the National Champion by the Associated Press.
This will be Oklahoma's 4th BCS National Championship game appearance after making the game following the 2000, 2003 and 2004 seasons. Florida will make its 2nd appearance. The Gators won the 2007 game over Ohio State. One of the game's two head coaches (Bob Stoops or Urban Meyer) will become the 1st to win two BCS National Championships.
The Site
Dolphins Stadium first opened in 1987 and was originally known as Joe Robbie Stadium. With a natural grass playing surface, it is home to the NFL's Miami Dolphins, MLB's Florida Marlins and the University of Miami football team, and it has hosted the Orange Bowl since 1996. For football games, the stadium seats over 76,000 and includes executive suites, a club level, 40 concession areas and 2 hi-definition video boards.
The stadium is located in the northern part of the city, just west and south of Florida's Turnpike. Here are driving directions for each possible entry detailed by the Orange Bowl's website:
- From points north:
* Florida Turnpike South to Exit # 2X (Dolphin Stadium Toll Plaza) to the east side of Dolphin Stadium.
* Florida Turnpike South to Exit # 47 (27th Avenue/University Drive); south on 27th Avenue/University Drive to the west side of Dolphin Stadium.
* I-95 South to Ives Dairy Road, head west (right) for 5 miles; Dolphin Stadium will be on your right hand side. - From west coast:
* I-75 East to I-595 East, to South on Florida Turnpike, to exit # 2X (Dolphin Toll Plaza), to the East side of Dolphin Stadium.
* I-75 East to I-595 East, to South on Florida Turnpike, to exit # 47 (27th Avenue/University Drive), south on 27th Avenue/University Drive to the west side of the Stadium. - From points south:
* I-95 North, to North on the Florida Turnpike, to Exit # 2X (Dolphin Toll Plaza), to Dolphin Stadium.
* I-95 North to Ives Dairy Road, West on Ives Dairy Road for approximately 5 miles, Dolphin Stadium will be on your right.
* North on the Palmetto Expressway (Route 826) to NW 27th Avenue (Route 817), proceed North on NW 27th Avenue to NW 199th Street (Dan Marino Boulevard), turn right at NW 199th Street to Dolphin Stadium.
Parking fills up quickly and costs $40 for cars, $100 for RV, Limo, & Bus Parking.
Tickets
At this point, tickets to the 2009 BCS National Championship game are primarily available only through 3rd party ticket brokers. Places to purchase tickets include Ticketmaster, StubHub, Ebay and RazorGator.
Tickets are going for upwards of $400.
Proceed to Page 2 for information on travel to Miami, accommodations and things to see and do...
