The Jacksonville Jaguars' future home is officially set in stone, but for one pivotal season, it won't be in Jacksonville. In a landmark decision that formalizes years of planning, NFL owners voted unanimously on March 31, 2026, to ratify the Jaguars' proposal to temporarily relocate their home games for the 2027 season. The destination? Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.
The vote, conducted during the league's annual meetings, provides the final, league-wide stamp of approval for a complex logistical operation. It confirms that while the massive, transformative renovation of EverBank Stadium proceeds on the banks of the St. Johns River, the Jaguars will operate from a familiar Florida venue 140 miles to the south.
"This unanimous approval is a critical step forward for our franchise and for the city of Jacksonville," said Jaguars owner Shad Khan in a statement following the vote. "Our commitment to Duval County is unwavering, and the new EverBank Stadium will be a crown jewel for our community for generations. For the 2027 season, we are grateful to our neighbors in Orlando and the leadership at Camping World Stadium for partnering with us to ensure our fans have a world-class experience as we navigate this one-year transition."
The decision culminates a thorough evaluation process by the Jaguars' front office, led by General Manager James Gladstone and team president Mark Lamping. Several potential temporary venues were reportedly considered, including options in Gainesville and even sharing facilities with another NFL team. The choice of Camping World Stadium, however, presented a compelling blend of geographic proximity, stadium capacity, and existing infrastructure capable of hosting NFL games.
Camping World Stadium is no stranger to major events. The 65,000-seat venue has hosted multiple Citrus Bowls, Camping World Bowl games, the Pro Bowl, and WrestleMania. It underwent a $207 million renovation completed in 2014, which upgraded fan amenities, suites, and the overall game-day infrastructure. For the Jaguars, it offers a proven, large-scale facility within the state, minimizing travel disruption for the team, its Florida-based fanbase, and opposing clubs.
"The logistics of a temporary relocation are immense, from broadcasting and operations to ticketing and fan travel," explained an NFL operations executive familiar with the planning. "Orlando provides a turnkey solution with an airport that handles massive volume, ample hotel space, and a stadium that has consistently hosted high-profile events. The unanimous vote reflects the league's confidence in this plan."
For the Jaguars' football operations, led by Head Coach Liam Coen and the coaching staff, the move introduces a unique variable. While the team will continue to practice and conduct its day-to-day business at the Miller Electric Center performance complex in Jacksonville, game days will require a new routine. The approximately two-hour bus trip to Orlando will become the standard for home games, a reversal of the typical travel dynamic.
"We're professionals, and our job is to adapt and perform regardless of the circumstances," Coen is expected to address in upcoming team meetings. "The 2027 season will be a unique chapter for this organization. Our focus remains on building a championship team, and that doesn't change based on which stadium we play in on Sundays. If anything, it's an opportunity to galvanize our entire fanbase across the state."
The fan experience is at the heart of the Jaguars' outreach strategy. Team officials have already begun outlining plans for "Duval South" initiatives, aimed at making the Orlando venue feel like a home away from home. Expect Jacksonville-themed branding throughout the stadium, collaborations with Orlando-area businesses, and integrated ticket packages that may include transportation options from Jacksonville. The team has also pledged that season ticket members for EverBank Stadium will have priority access and comparable seating options for the 2027 season in Orlando.
"This isn't about moving the team; it's about temporarily moving the game-day experience," Lamping noted in recent comments. "We have a massive and passionate fanbase in Central Florida. This is a chance to engage with them directly for a season while also serving our loyal Jacksonville fans with a smooth transition plan. We are working on every detail to ensure it feels like a Jaguars home game."
The economic impact of the temporary move is a two-sided equation. While Jacksonville will forego the direct spending from seven regular-season home games (and any preseason or potential playoff games) in 2027, the city avoids the alternative: a season of disjointed, partial-capacity home games amidst construction chaos. The approved plan allows the $1.4 billion-plus EverBank Stadium renovation to proceed on an aggressive, uninterrupted timeline, ensuring the team returns to a state-of-the-art facility in 2028.
Conversely, Orlando stands to gain a significant, if temporary, economic boost. The influx of tens of thousands of fans for multiple weekends will benefit hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues throughout the region. It also serves as a high-profile audition for the city, which has long expressed interest in hosting a permanent NFL team, potentially strengthening its case for future Super Bowl or NFL Draft considerations.
The unanimous approval from the league's ownership group is the final administrative hurdle cleared. All that remains now is the passage of time and the relentless progress of construction cranes in downtown Jacksonville. For the Jaguars, the 2027 season in Orlando is no longer a proposal or a plan--it is the confirmed, league-sanctioned reality.
As the team builds its roster for the future, it now knows the complete landscape of that future. The journey to a new era in Jacksonville will, ironically, detour through Orlando for one season. With the league's full backing, the Jaguars are cleared to make Camping World Stadium a temporary fortress, a one-year southern outpost for Duval pride as the future of EverBank Stadium rises from the ground back home.