2024 Orange Bowl Basketball Classic: Over 8,000 fans in attendance for this year’s Classic

Sunrise, Florida - The 2024 Orange Bowl Basketball Classic took place today at the FLA Live Arena, featuring a doubleheader of exciting college basketball action. While the event saw a total attendance of just over 8,000 fans across both games, it’s clear that the energy in the building more than made up for any empty seats. Though the crowd didn’t reach the sell-out mark, those in attendance were vocal, engaged, and provided an electric atmosphere for the teams on the court.

A unique part of this showcase is the different fan bases who make their way from different states with passionate supporters showing up not just for the local teams, but for the overall experience of the event.  The afternoon was a great way for basketball fans in Broward County to get a look at four major Division 1 basketball schools all in one place - a venue that will only be hosting two basketball games all year. 

Despite the less-than-capacity turnout, the crowd’s enthusiasm was a testament to the growing popularity of the event in the Miami-Ft. Lauderdale area. In a market where basketball is constantly competing for attention against other major sports, the Orange Bowl Basketballl Classic stands out as a key fixture on the college hoops calendar.  The atmosphere inside the Amerant Bank Arena for this year’s showcase proved that the passion for basketball in South Florida remains strong and vibrant.

2024 Orange Bowl Basketball Classic: ESPN TV audience to get a double-header of basketball action

Sunrise, Florida - The 2024 Orange Bowl Basketball Classic is getting exceptional live television coverage, with both games broadcasted across the ESPN family of networks. This highly anticipated event is taking place at the Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida, home of the NHL's Florida Panthers. As South Florida's premier one-day NCAA basketball showcase, the Orange Bowl Classic brings together four top-tier NCAA Division 1 programs for a thrilling afternoon of basketball action.

The event will feature two exciting matchups. The first game at 2:00 PM will saw the UCF Knights square off against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane. The seven matchup which began at 4:30 PM has Florida State taking on Tulane in a showcase of four major Division 1 schools. Both games are broadcast live, with UCF vs. Tulsa available on ESPNU and Florida State vs. Tulane airing on the ACC Network, ensuring that basketball fans across the country can tune in and enjoy the high-level competition.

In addition to the traditional television broadcasts, the games will also be available for streaming on the ESPN App and ESPN.com. This offers fans the flexibility to watch live from virtually anywhere, as long as they have a subscription to the relevant ESPN networks. With the convenience of digital streaming and wide-reaching television coverage, the Orange Bowl Basketball Classic ensures that fans worldwide will stay connected to this exciting event.

With top-tier television broadcasts and widespread accessibility through digital streaming, the 2024 Orange Bowl Basketball Classic is set to captivate basketball fans across the ESPN audience. The event stands as a highlight of South Florida's sports calendar, offering a first-class showcase for basketball fans across the nation.

2024 Orange Bowl Basketball Classic: Showcase brings top-tier college basketball to Broward County for 2024 event

Sunrise, Florida - The 2024 Orange Bowl Basketball Classic is one of the most unique college basketball events of the season in South Florida, showcasing the region's growing prominence in the world of college basketball. Held annually as a part of the broader Orange Bowl festivities, this event brings together top-tier men’s college teams for an exciting day of basketball in Sunrise. While Miami has long been associated with football, the inclusion of basketball in the Orange Bowl series of events emphasizes the area's expanding role as a hub for collegiate sports. The game’s timing, right in the midst of the college basketball season, makes it an essential stop for teams aiming to build momentum ahead of their conference schedules.

For South Florida, the Orange Bowl Basketball Classic is much more than just a one-off event. It has become a key fixture in the local sports calendar, drawing thousands of basketball fans and tourists to the region each December. With South Florida’s diverse population and growing sports culture, the event is an excellent opportunity for college programs to tap into new recruiting grounds. Broward County, in particular, benefits greatly from hosting the event, as it allows the region to showcase its world-class facilities, vibrant fanbase, and its status as a global sports destination. The Classic's appeal extends beyond just the teams involved - local businesses, hotels, and restaurants all thrive on the influx of visitors, making it an important economic driver for the region.

The Orange Bowl Basketball Classic also holds special significance when tied to the larger Orange Bowl football game. Traditionally, both events occur around the same time, creating a dynamic sports weekend that unites college football and basketball fans. This alignment not only boosts the profile of both events but also creates a shared experience that brings together supporters of different sports. The synergy between the football and basketball events enhances the overall Orange Bowl brand, making it a multi-sport celebration that South Florida can take pride in. For basketball, this connection with the iconic football game helps elevate its stature and visibility during a time when college sports fans are highly engaged.

As the 2024 edition of the Orange Bowl Basketball Classic nears an end with the second of two games, its growing significance for college basketball in South Florida cannot be overstated. The event offers an invaluable platform for teams to compete in front of a passionate and diverse crowd, while also serving as a critical piece in the broader celebration of college athletics in the region. By continuing to build on its success, the Classic is poised to further solidify South Florida’s place as a premier destination for college sports, while strengthening the ties between basketball and the storied legacy of the Orange Bowl football game.

Coverage of the 2024 Orange Bowl Basketball Classic

SportsBizAmerica.com is excited to announce our coverage of the 2024 Orange Bowl Basketball Classic.  We will be reporting on-site from the Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida, which is home to the National Hockey League's Florida Panthers.  

The game is a significant basketball game in South Florida as it is one of the only one-day NCAA showcase events in South Florida, and is the only basketball game being played at Amerant Bank Arena in 2024.  The game will feature four NCAA Division 1 basketball programs facing off in a one-day showcase: UCF will face Tulsa in the first game at 2:00, while Florida State will take on Tulane in the second of two games at 4:30.

Both games will be televised live, with UCF vs. Tulsa live on ESPNU, and Florida St. vs. Tulane will be live on the ACC Network.  Both games can also be streamed live on the ESPN App and ESPN.com with a TV subscription to each network.  

Check back on SportsBizAmerica.com for our coverage from Sunrise, Florida, marking the very first time we will be covering an event on-site from the venue since the site's launch in 2020.  Coverage will focus on all things sports business from the Orange Bowl Basketball Classic, covering the off-court side of this unique NCAA showcase event.