Football is back! You're ready…and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are ready for you.
On Monday, following the ratification of a new collective bargaining agreement that signals the beginning of the 2011 football campaign, the Buccaneers announced plans for several upcoming free events to mark the occasion and reconnect with their fans.
"Buccaneers fans have a lot to be excited about," said Buccaneers Co-Chairman Bryan Glazer. "And we look forward to seeing them very soon at Training Camp and Night Practice, as well as our home preseason games versus the Patriots and Dolphins."
Training Camp 2011 begins soon, and for the third consecutive year it will be held at One Buccaneer Place, the team's state-of-the-art headquarters. Much of the action will be open to the fans (and all of it is free, as usual), and this year's schedule calls for an even wider selection of public practices. There are a total of eight open dates, all for full-scale workouts as opposed to slower-paced walk-throughs, beginning on Friday, July 29 with a session from 5:15-7:15 in the evening. The full public schedule is detailed below; note that, by the collectively-bargained terms of the new deal, padded practices are not allowed during the first three days of any training camp.
No tickets are required for fan admittance to Training Camp in 2011, and those wishing to attend should monitor Buccaneers.com for practice updates, as the schedule is subject to change. The team's official site will also feature Training Camp guidelines, including parking information and a map of One Buccaneer Place that allows visitors to familiarize themselves with the layout before arriving.
Fans visiting Training Camp can expect the same enhancements the team delivered last year – from every public session being held on Field 3 for optimal viewing, to autograph sessions, free parking, a merchandise tent, discounted concessions and appearances by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders and Captain Fear.
Also back by popular demand is Night Practice at Raymond James Stadium, sponsored by Bright House, to be held this year on Saturday, August 6, from 6:45-9:30 p.m. This popular event will feature practice under the lights, free parking, $1 hot dogs and soft drinks, plus a fireworks show. Admittance, once again, is free.
In the coming weeks, the Buccaneers begin their preseason game schedule, where, after traveling to Kansas City to face the Chiefs on Friday, August 12 at 8:00 p.m., they will welcome the New England Patriots to Raymond James Stadium on Thursday, August 18 at 7:30 p.m., and then host the Miami Dolphins on Saturday, August 27 at 7:30 p.m. Tampa Bay closes preseason action at the Washington Redskins on Thursday, September 1 at 7:30 p.m.
The regular season kicks off on Sunday, September 11 at 1:00 p.m., with the Buccaneers welcoming the Detroit Lions to Raymond James Stadium.
2011 Training Camp PUBLIC Schedule
(PLEASE NOTE: Practice schedule and times are subject to change)
|
DATE |
SCHEDULE |
|
Friday, July 29 |
5:15 - 7:15 p.m. |
|
Saturday, July 30 |
2:30 – 4:35 p.m. |
|
Sunday, July 31 |
5:15 - 7:15 p.m. |
|
Monday, August 1 |
5:15 - 7:15 p.m. |
|
Wednesday, August 3 |
2:30 - 4:35 p.m. |
|
Friday, August 5 |
2:30 - 4:35 p.m. |
|
Saturday, August 6 |
7:00 - 9:00 p.m. (Night Practice at RJS) |
|
Tuesday, August 9 |
2:30 - 4:35 p.m. |
|
Sunday, August 14 |
2:30 - 4:35 p.m. |
