As the Jags looks for a place to setup shop when TIAA Bank goes under renovations in a couple years, Daytona has emerged as a possible home. Let's check out the logistics.
TIAA Bank is hoping to renovate by the tune of about a billion dollars and if this plan goes through, the Jags will need a new home for the 2025 and 2026 NFL seasons.
Safe to say, the Jags are keeping their options open. The Swamp is being strongly considered. Camping World Stadium is being strongly considered. And now the latest...
The president of the Daytona International Speedway will meet this week with Jacksonville Jaguars officials to discuss the possibility of the racing complex hosting the team's home games during a potential two-year stadium reconstruction. (more on that, here)
As much as I would love to see the Jags play their home games in our backyard, it honestly makes more sense to do it Daytona. Even more so than Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The Swamp will be used on Saturday's, that can't be an easy or safe turnaround when you talk about hosting a home game the very next day. Camping World would be a great home for them in a temporary capacity, but Daytona is far more unique, it seats more fans, and its closer to Jacksonville.
For Jaguar fans who live in Duval, they'd be cutting out at least 45 minutes from their drive going to Daytona vs Downtown Orlando. Plus, they avoid the variable that is I4. This is a win, win all around. NFL action gets closer to Orlando and the Jags find a perfect home.
Here's another interesting snippet from the Daytona Beach News-Journal:
Another plus for the Speedway is the fact that its grandstands already have plenty of food venues, restrooms, and other amenities as well as ample parking.
In addition to cost considerations, Kelleher said the Speedway would also need to consider how to fit NFL games into its schedule. The motorsports stadium hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including the recent four-day Welcome to Rockville heavy metal music festival that drew 170,000 people.
Of course, there are also the races to consider including the Daytona 500 in February, the Coke Zero Sugar 400 in late August, and the Rolex 24 in late January.
"If the stars align where we could host one (Jaguars) game or multiple games, we would be very proud," said Kelleher.
Photo: Getty Images