In Game
The University of Florida Gators play at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, which is locally and popularly known as “The Swamp.” With their official seating capacity at 88,548, The Swamp is the 12th largest stadium in all of college football meaning you’ll be surrounded by plenty of friends when attending a Gators game. Inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium you’ll enjoy an electric atmosphere as everyone comes prepared to get loud and cheer on the Gators on game day. You’ll also take part in plenty of Gator specific cheers while at a Gators game including everyone’s favorite Orange/Blue Cheer where half the stadium cheers ORANGE! And the other responds with BLUE!
It’s not just the incredibly loud and passionate fans who make taking in a game at The Swamp a must for college football fans, the history, and tradition of Florida Gators football also contributes to the outstanding game day experience found here. When attending a Gators game, you’ll be watching players perform on the same field that all-time greats like Danny Wuerffel and Tim Tebow used to call home. You’ll also get to be a part of many great Gators traditions like Mr. Two Bits and the singing of Florida’s alma mater “The Orange and Blue” after the game.
Despite its large size, The Swamp creates a surprisingly intimate atmosphere. The upper decks are still very close to the action, and you’ll find there are great sight lines all throughout the stadium. You won’t miss a minute of the action at a Gators game as Ben Hill Griffin Stadium is a beautiful stadium that provides a great view no matter where you are sitting.
The Swamp is the pride of the University of Florida and for a good reason; there is so much loyalty and tradition within the walls of the stadium, making it one of the best game-day experiences in all of college football.
Things to check out
Corner Messages
On each corner of the stadium are large and supportive messages for the Gators
“This is...THE SWAMP!”
“This is...GATOR COUNTRY!”
“Home of the...FLORIDA GATORS!”
“It’s Great To Be A Florida Gator”
Ring of Honor
This area in the north end zone facade is dedicated to the greatest players and coaches in Florida Gators history, including Emmitt Smith and Steve Spurrier
Pride of the Sunshine
The University of Florida marching band was the first in Florida and appropriately nicknamed the Pride of the Sunshine. The band performs on the field before kickoff and at halftime. They also play the instrumental version of their fight song The Orange and Blue after every Gator score.
Albert and Alberta
The Gators are unique in the fact that their mascot iss are a couple: Albert and Alberta are designed after American Alligators, a species common in Florida.
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Mr. Two Bits
In 1949, Gator fan George Edmondson wouldn’t stand for the booing inside the stadium from fans, so he took it upon himself to rile up the crowd and got them cheering and hollering for the Gators. Decked out in a yellow oxford shirt, blue seersucker pants, orange and blue tie, and black and white saddle shoes, Mr. Two Bits was an integral part of Florida games. For sixty years, George would lead the crowd in cheering on the Gators, specifically with his trademark phrase “Two-bits, four-bits, six-bits, a dollar. All for the Gators, stand up and holler!’ In his honor, a new tradition was created in the 2013 season to commemorate his spirit and loyalty: Gator Greats are introduced each week as the celebrity two-bits to keep his legacy alive
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We Are the Boys from Florida
At the end of the third quarter, fans sway by rows while singing We Are The Boys From Florida, as the University of Florida was formerly all male.
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Singing After the Game
Fans and players will sing together the University of Florida’s Alma Mater at the end of home games and in 2005 added singing “The Orange and Blue” after victories.
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Fight Songs
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Fight Song
On, brave old Flor-i-da,
Just keep on marching on your way!…
On, brave old Flor-i-da,
And we will cheer you on your play! Rah! Rah! Rah!… And as you march a-long,
We’ll sing our victory song anew…
With all your might Go on and Fight Gators Fight for
Dixie’s rightly proud of you…(Chorus)
So give a cheer for the Orange and Blue,
Waving for-ev-er, forever…
Pride of old Flor-i-da,
May she droop nev-er…
We’ll sing a song for the flag to-day, Cheer for the team at play!
On to the goal we’ll fight our way for Flor-i-da. -
We Are the Boys From Old Florida
We are the boys from old Florida F-L-O-R-I-D-A Where the girls are the fairest,
The boys are the squarest
Of any old state down our way
We are all strong for old Florida
Down where the old Gators play
In all kinds of weather
We’ll all stick together
for F-L-O-R-I-D-A -
Alma Mater
Florida, our Alma Mater,
thy glorious name we praise.
All thy loyal sons and daughters,
a joyous song shall raise.
Where palm and pine are blowing, where southern seas are flowing, Shine forth thy noble gothic walls, thy lovely vine clad halls.
Neath the orange and blue victorious,
our love shall never fail.
There’s no other name so glorious, all hail, Florida, hail! -
Orange/Blue
During the game, there will often be chants of “ORANGE!” from the east and south stands (mostly students), followed up with “BLUE!” from the west and north stands (mostly alumni)
Blue!
Orange!
Blue!
Orange!
Blue!
Orange!
Blue!
Orange!
