When the Buccaneers took the field at Raymond James Stadium in 1998, Tampa Bay’s football fans enjoyed watching the game in a modern stadium soon to be recognized as one of the best facilities in the NFL. The facility, home to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, University of South Florida Bulls and the New Year’s Day Outback Bowl, incorporates groundbreaking innovations and modern stadium design concepts for the finest guest experience. Located an arms throw from the original Tampa Stadium, the newly opened venue quickly became a popular choice for concerts and special events.

Members of the NFL Players Association have consistently rated Raymond James Stadium’s field as the best in the league and league insiders refer to the stadium as the “crown jewel” of the NFL. Raymond James Stadium hosted Super Bowl XXXV on January 28, 2001, in which the Baltimore Ravens defeated the New York Giants 34 to 7, and will host Super Bowl XLIII on February 1, 2009.

Raymond James Stadium is publically owned and managed by the Tampa Sports Authority. The naming rights are owned by Raymond James Financial, Inc., a financial services firm based in St.Petersburg, Florida.

In the very first regular season home game ever played at Raymond James Stadium (September 20, 1998), the Bucs won a dramatic victory against the Chicago Bears with a 27-point rally to defeat the Bears 27 to 15.

In a survey conducted by the NFL Players Association in 2006, players rated Raymond James Stadium as the best NFL playing field.

The same company that produces props for Walt Disney World created the mighty pirate ship that is permanently harbored in Buccaneer Cove. The pirate ship comes to life after the Buccaneers score a field goal or touchdown. Its loud cannons fire seven times to signal a touchdown and three to announce a field goal.

The pirate ship is an authentic replica of an early 1800s pirate ship, arguably one of the most recognizable stadium features in the world. It is 103 feet long with huge 32x50 foot sails.

• Ship Length 103’
• Ship Weight 43 tons
• Ship Height 78’
• Bow Detail 9’x7’
• Ship Width 32’
• Swords 16’ each

The ship was constructed over a two-month period using, among others, the following materials:

• 5.5 tons of concrete
• 14 tons of steel
• 700 yards of sails
• 1 mile of rigging
• 300 feet of rope
• 60 gallons of paint
• 64,000 linear feet of wood trim

The sound of a crow cawing is piped through the stadium sound system when the stadium is empty to prevent pigeons from roosting in the rafters.

At Buccaneers games, an animatronic parrot perched on the stern of the pirate ship frequently talks to those passing beneath. Controlled by radio and remote, it often picks fans out of the crowd.

Raymond James Stadium has a program called Tag-A-Kid which gives parents the option of placing wristbands on their children so that if they become lost, stadium staff can return them safely to their seats.

Operated by more than 30 technicians at Raymond James Stadium, BucVision allowed Tampa Bay to become the first professional team in any sport to show images through high-definition television (HDTV). The main attraction of BucVision is the sheer size of the two videoboards, each measuring 24 feet high by 92 feet wide, which is significantly larger than conventional NFL scoring systems.

Raymond James Stadium is named after a diversified financial services firm headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida, Raymond James Financial, Inc.

Your cooperation and patience are requested to ensure the game is played without any interference. For everyone’s safety, all fans, players, coaches, media personnel, entertainers, employees and guests should expect a mandatory pat-down search as they enter the facility. No exceptions. In addition, stadium personnel will search each bag and purse prior to granting entrance to the facility.

All coolers, hard containers, large bags and backpacks are prohibited. If you arrive at the gate with the items and are denied entry, they will not be stored at the gate so expect to return them to your vehicle. The Tampa Sports Authority and Raymond James Stadium are not responsible for items left behind, stolen or damaged. You may be asked to leave the stadium if you are found in possession of the prohibited items listed below as they cannot be stored at the gate.

You are strongly encouraged to arrive at the stadium gates to Raymond James Stadium earlier than usual to help facilitate these security measures. Inspection points will be located at all entry gates. In a continuing effort to ensure the safety of fans in response to the tragic events that occurred in our nation on September 11, 2001, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers encourage all fans to arrive early for all home games. Pat-downs of all people entering NFL stadiums have been implemented on a frequent basis in recent years.

We thank you in advance for your respect and adherence to these necessary policies and procedures.

Possession of prohibited items is grounds for ejection and your game tickets will be forfeited.

Items Prohibited in Raymond James Stadium

• Backpacks, duffel bags or large bags
• Food, drinks, cans, bottles, glass
• Seat cushions
• Banners/flags with sticks or poles
• Video cameras
• Umbrellas or anything that would obstruct a fan’s view
• Coolers
• Horns/air horns (artificial noisemakers)
• Lasers
• Weapons/fireworks
• Items that could be missiles or projectiles
• Cameras with lenses longer than 12"
• Chucky dolls
• Thunder sticks
• Footballs
• Strollers
• Large bags
• Pets (except assistive animals)
• Skates, skateboards, skate-shoes, all cycles and segways.

Stadium staff will not store any items at the gates. Guests may either return the items to their cars or throw them away.