Why is Boise State vs. South Florida Being Played at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Raymond James Stadium?

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College football fans tuning in for Thursday’s season-opening clash between the No. 25 Boise State Broncos and the USF Bulls might be wondering why the game is being played at Raymond James Stadium, home of the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

After all, most college programs take pride in playing on campus or in stadiums built specifically for their teams. For South Florida, however, the story is a little different.

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USF’s On-Campus Stadium Still Under Construction

Since its inception in 1997, the USF football program has always called Tampa home, but it has never had a stadium of its own.

Instead, the Bulls have played all of their home games at Raymond James Stadium, which has provided a big-league feel but often lacked the college atmosphere that many programs thrive on.

That is finally changing. In June 2023, the university’s Board of Trustees officially approved plans for a new on-campus stadium, and in April 2025, they reapproved the project at a revised cost of $348.5 million. The stadium, expected to seat 35,000 fans, is projected to open in 2027.

Until then, USF continues to play at Raymond James Stadium. This means that marquee non-conference matchups like Week 1’s Boise State vs. USF remain tied to the NFL venue until construction is complete.

What Raymond James Stadium Brings to USF Games

Though not their permanent home, Raymond James has provided a strong foundation for USF football. Since 1998, the Bulls have compiled 101 wins inside the venue, compared to just 65 losses. The stadium has also hosted some of the program’s most memorable moments, including upsets over ranked opponents.

With a seating capacity of over 65,000, Raymond James allows USF to schedule major non-conference opponents that might not otherwise travel to a smaller stadium. This has been crucial in building the Bulls’ profile.

Even though average attendance has fluctuated depending on team performance, from highs of over 37,000 fans in 2023 to lows of over 29,000 in 2022, the venue ensures that USF games remain accessible to large crowds in the heart of Tampa.

Boise State vs. South Florida: A High-Tempo Clash

Thursday’s matchup adds another chapter to the history of Raymond James Stadium. The game pits a Mountain West power against one of the fastest offenses in the American Conference.

  • Boise State Broncos (0-0): Led by head coach Spencer Danielson, now in his second full year, the Broncos enter fresh off a 2024 season that saw them retool despite losing key stars like RB Ashton Jeanty and EDGE Ahmed Hassanein to the NFL. Returning four of five offensive line starters gives Boise State stability up front.
  • South Florida Bulls (0-0): Head coach Alex Golesh enters his third season with a reputation for pushing the pace. In 2024, the Bulls ran the second-fastest offensive tempo in the FBS, and with QB Byrum Brown back healthy, they’ll look to test Boise State’s endurance early and often.

Kickoff is set for Thursday, August 28, at 5:30 p.m. ET. It will air nationally on ESPN and stream on the ESPN App.

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While Raymond James Stadium continues to serve as the Bulls’ home for now, fans can already look forward to the debut of the on-campus USF stadium in 2027, where marquee games against Louisville and Notre Dame are already scheduled.

Until then, high-profile clashes like Boise State vs. USF will keep Raymond James buzzing with college football energy.

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