Microsoft is sponsoring a college football bowl game, with the first-ever “Xbox Bowl” taking place on Thursday, December 18 with Missouri State taking on Arkansas State. The Xbox Bowl is the replacement for the Bahamas Bowl, which will not happen this year.
In a press statement, broadcaster ESPN–which is carrying the event–said there will be “fun, Xbox-themed moments and in-venue activations designed specifically for the bow.” The event is taking place in Frisco, Texas at the Ford Center.
In recent times, Microsoft rolled out a new “This Is An Xbox” marketing campaign, so now even football is an Xbox, in some manner at least.
Xbox marketing boss Chris Lee said the goal is to provide a “reimagining what game day can be for lifelong players and for those experiencing the thrill for the first time.”
The Xbox Bowl is one of ESPN’s 17 college football bowl games. The Xbox Bowl being sponsored by a gaming company is not out of the ordinary for bowl games. After all, some of the others this year include the Bucked Up LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk, the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl, and Wasabi Fenway Bowl, Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl Presented By Gin & Juice By Dre And Snoop, and who could forget, the Pop-Tarts Bowl featuring edible mascots.
College football fans have a lot to look forward to this month and next, as the collegiate bowl season begins Saturday, December 13, and concludes with the College Football Playoff National Championship on January 19. You can see a full rundown of all the bowl games here, but note that not all participants have been decided yet.