The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' hugely popular "creamsicle" color scheme, which returned in 2023 for the first time in more than a decade, will be back again in 2024. The team announced Tuesday that it will wear its classic orange and white uniforms against the Atlanta Falcons on October 27 of the upcoming season, in a Week Eight game at Raymond James Stadium.
The Buccaneers will focus on a full Creamsicle experience throughout Week Eight of their season, celebrating nearly 50 years of football as well as the rich history of the Bay area. That will include transforming Raymond James Stadium to pay homage to the team's original home, Tampa Stadium, also known as 'The Big Sombrero.' The transformation will include retro field stencils, stadium bunting and video board assets. Fans are encouraged to join in the trip back to the '70s by donning throwback attire for the game. The first 25,000 fans to enter the stadium will receive Bucco Bruce baseball caps, courtesy of Fifth Third Bank, the game's sponsor.
"Last season, the response from our fans for the return of the Creamsicle uniforms was remarkably positive and the energy and excitement at Raymond James Stadium for that game was truly special," said Buccaneers Chief Operating Officer Brian Ford. "We know how special these uniforms are to our long-time Krewe members and we are excited to continue honoring our rich history and building off the momentum that's been created with another very memorable game that will celebrate our first division championship."
As Ford notes, the Buccaneers will also use the creamsicle game as an opportunity to celebrate the 1979 season, in which the team captured its first playoff berth in history and advanced to the NFC Championship Game. That team took orange and white into the playoffs in just the franchise's fourth season, led by Lee Roy Selmon and the NFL's top-ranked defense.
The Buccaneers played in predominantly white and "Florida Orange" uniforms from their inaugural season in 1976 through 1996. In 1997, the team adopted a new color scheme featuring pewter and red, kicking off one of the most successful stretches in franchise history. The Bucs broke a 14-year playoff drought that year, qualified for the postseason in five of the next six seasons and won Super Bowl XXXVII in 2002. Nevertheless, nostalgia for the team's Creamsicle days persists among many Buccaneer fans.
The Buccaneers first revived their Creamsicle look in 2009, in a Week Nine game against the visiting Green Bay Packers at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay had opened the season with an 0-8 record but were able to upend the playoff-bound Packers, 38-28, for their first win of the year.
Tampa Bay played additional Creamsicle games through the 2012 season but had to halt the practice after the NFL adopted a new rule that required teams to use only one helmet for each player for the entire season. That rule has since been revised.
The Buccaneers' original uniforms featured a white helmet with a swashbuckling pirate clenching a dagger in his teeth, known as "Bucco Bruce." The special games played since 2009 have featured white pants and Creamsicle orange jerseys.
Tickets to all the team’s home games are on sale now and available for purchase at Buccaneers.com. Limited Buccaneers season pass memberships and single-game tickets are available. For more information or to speak with a Buccaneers account representative, please contact 866-582-2827 or visit Buccaneers.com.
