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UCF could move 2017 football game to Camping World Stadium

On Saturday, UCF will make the short trip across town to play in Orlando's Camping World Stadium, site of their Cure Bowl matchup against Arkansas State.

It may not be long until they return again.

UCF athletic director Danny White confirmed Tuesday the school is in discussions with Florida Citrus Sports to move one of their 2017 home games to the venue formerly known as the Florida Citrus Bowl, which served as UCF's home stadium from the program's inception in 1979 all the way until 2006.

Every home game since has been played on campus at Bright House Networks Stadium, which opened in 2007.

Typically, UCF hosts six home games per year - four within conference and two non-conference. But a recent schedule change - postponing the Texas road game and scheduling FCS Maine in their place - means UCF currently has seven home games on the 2017 docket.

Rumors have swirled in recent weeks that White was mulling an offer from Florida Citrus Sports to move one of next season's games downtown, possibly Memphis, which could be played on a Friday night.

White addressed those rumors during a "Live Q&A" video the school aired on Facebook and Periscope.

"We're having great conversations with Florida Citrus Sports," White said. (Florida Citrus Sports CEO) Steve Hogan is a UCF alum. We have some great partners down there. I think that venue has really improved with the recent renovations. We want to do our best to explore every asset we have here in Central Florida and I think that's one of them. That doesn't necessarily mean we're going to play a game there or not, but we're exploring. There's a lot of complexities to that decision, but if financially it makes sense then it's something we'd like to explore. We're certainly aware we're opening a downtown campus. The more we can reach out to Orlando... we're already Orlando's hometown university and we want to grow to become Orlando's downtown team."

UCF's 2017 home slate currently includes non-conference teams FIU, Georgia Tech and Maine. UConn, East Carolina, Memphis and USF make up the home American Athletic Conference schedule.

Maryland is the only road non-conference game. Road conference games include Cincinnati, Navy, SMU and Temple.

A final decision is expected within the next several weeks.


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