How To Watch the Gasparilla Bowl
✦ Edited and fact-checked by Sports Editor Taylor Kujawa, our resident TV expert with over eight years of covering sports.
Get ready for the 2025 Gasparilla Bowl
Few events embrace the messy spirit of college football quite like the Gasparilla Bowl. Held at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, this game has evolved into a cult favorite by leaning into its pirate-themed lore and a loose, fan-centric vibe. It feels less like a stuffy corporate event and more like a massive football party.
You typically get an intriguing on-field clash between the AAC, ACC, or SEC. Set for December 19, it serves as the perfect Friday afternoon appetizer before the heavy hitters take the field later that evening.
Whether you’re tuning in for the potential shootout or just to see the pirate ship fire its cannons, this game justifies taking a half-day off work. I’ve broken down exactly how to watch the 2025 Gasparilla Bowl below, including the kickoff time, channel info, and the best no-contract streaming plans.
What channel shows the Gasparilla Bowl?
You can watch the 2025 Gasparilla Bowl live on ESPN on Friday, December 19. Coverage begins at 3:30 p.m. ET, making it the lead-in game for the College Football Playoff First Round matchups scheduled for later that night.
If you prefer streaming, the ESPN app will have you covered. But you’ll still need a valid TV provider login or ESPN Unlimited subscription to access the live game feed.
Best TV plans for watching the Gasparilla Bowl
Since ESPN holds the rights to this game and the vast majority of bowl season, my top recommendation for most fans is Hulu + Live TV. It provides the most value because it bundles the live ESPN channels you need for the game with ESPN Select, Disney+, and Hulu‘s on-demand library. That means you get the Gasparilla Bowl simulcast and the traditional broadcast in one place, plus endless entertainment for the downtime between games.
If you’re working with a tighter budget, Sling TV is a solid alternative. The Sling Orange plan is one of the cheapest ways to get ESPN in a live TV lineup. It lacks the local channels and massive on-demand library you get with Hulu, but for strictly watching bowl games, it gets the job done without bloating your monthly bill. You can also look into ESPN Unlimited if you want to bypass a live TV package entirely, but you’ll be restricted to only ESPN channels.
How to watch the Gasparilla Bowl FAQ
Can I stream the Gasparilla Bowl on the ESPN app?
Yes, you can catch the game on the ESPN app if you sign in with a valid TV provider or subscribe to ESPN Unlimited.
Where is the Gasparilla Bowl played?
The Gasparilla Bowl takes place at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, which is also the home of the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the USF Bulls.
What conferences play in the Gasparilla Bowl?
The Gasparilla Bowl features tie-ins from the American Athletic Conference (AAC), the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), and the Southeastern Conference (SEC).
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com editorial team researched the Gasparilla Bowl’s official broadcast rights and cross-referenced them with the channel lineups of every major TV provider. We then selected our viewing recommendations based on our hands-on testing, identifying the most cost-effective and straightforward ways for you to watch the game.
To learn more about our methods, check out our How We Rank page.
