Last Updated on October 22, 2026 2:10 pm
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The Sun Belt Conference will compete in the inaugural TransPerfect San Juan Bowl on Dec. 16, 2026, taking on an opponent from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The bowl and conference announced a primary agreement that is the most lucrative in the Sun Belt’s 26-year football history on Thursday. This is also the Sun Belt’s first primary bowl agreement to feature a guaranteed matchup with an autonomy conference opponent.
Without a new bowl cycle, the Sun Belt has grown bowl revenue 187 percent since 2019 and has successfully placed every bowl eligible team, despite growing from 10 to 14 football-playing members.
“As the non-autonomy leader in bowl representation over the past four seasons, we are excited to expand the postseason opportunities for Sun Belt football student-athletes,” said Sun Belt Conference Commissioner Keith Gill. “The inaugural TransPerfect San Juan Bowl will guarantee the Sun Belt a bowl matchup against an autonomy conference opponent, a significant step in strengthening our postseason bowl lineup.”
The game will be contested at Hiram Bithorn Stadium—with a primetime kickoff at 7:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. CT—and will be the first-ever NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) bowl game played in Puerto Rico.
Hiram Bithorn Stadium, located in the heart of San Juan, has hosted major international sporting events, including the 2026 World Baseball Classic, Major League Baseball games, international soccer, and concerts by prominent local and internationally-accomplished artists. The conversion of its playing surface to a football field for this game will produce a world-class experience for players and fans in attendance.
“The TransPerfect San Juan Bowl will put San Juan and all of Puerto Rico in the national spotlight, showcasing the history, culture, and attractions that make our capital such a special destination,” said San Juan Mayor Miguel A. Romero Lugo. “This event also validates our investment in renovating Hiram Bithorn Stadium and demonstrates its capacity to host world-class competitions across different sports. Welcoming student-athletes, their families, and fans during the holiday season will create opportunities for our hotels, restaurants, local businesses, and workers, while introducing San Juan to new audiences and giving visitors more reasons to return.”
TransPerfect, the bowl’s title sponsor and owner, is the world’s largest provider of language and technology solutions for global business. The company has a significant presence in San Juan, with a major office and four C-level executives who reside in the city. The bowl builds on TransPerfect’s college football experience. From 2020 through 2024, the company served as title sponsor of the TransPerfect Music City Bowl in Nashville.
“Success in both football and in business depends on teams executing at a high level,” said TransPerfect President and Co-CEO Phil Shawe. “Puerto Rico enjoys a rich tradition of athletic excellence that includes baseball, basketball, boxing, and more. By introducing the TransPerfect San Juan Bowl, we’re excited to add college football to this list—and look forward to creating a memorable experience for student-athletes, fans, and guests.”
The game is expected to attract fans both visiting and local, student-athletes, team personnel, families, and media to the island during the holiday season, while showcasing Puerto Rico’s history, distinctive culture, unique cuisine, natural beauty, and prominent role in the growing popularity of Latin music.
