The Holiday Bowl kicks off at the brand new Snapdragon Stadium for the first time

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) – The Holiday Bowl has been woven into the fabric of San Diego for four decades. For a football town without a professional sports team, there is even more excitement around this annual event.

“When we used to have Super Bowls here, Al Michaels and Jon Madden, one of them, said, ‘why don’t we have the Super Bowl here every year?'” said Rick Schloss, a Holiday Bowl spokesman. “It’s a whole topic without the Chargers not being here … but this is our Super Bowl of college football.”

The Holiday Bowl was originally played at San Diego Stadium, transformed Jack Murphy Stadium – “The Murph” – and eventually remodeled into Snapdragon Stadium. On Friday, Syracuse will take on Washington State in the brand new stadium for the first ever Holiday Bowls.

“Bringing in a huge amount of revenue during the slow times for the hotels and the restaurants, they’ve had great matchups with incredible scores, and we’re hoping tomorrow night will be the same way,” Schloss said.

As the United States slips into the coldest months, the Holiday Bowl puts San Diego as a community front and center, dangling the warm and sunny skies even in the dark of winter.

“It’s nationally televised on your network on FOX with the best announcing team, Joel Platt and Gus Johnson doing it. So it’s electric…It also brings tourism but also makes people think, ‘why do I live not here?” Schloss said.

Kickoff is scheduled for 5pm Pacific Standard Time (8pm Eastern) on FOX.