If you spent any time on social media during the 2023 college football bowl season, you saw him. You know exactly who I’m talking about. The giant, unblinking, beige-colored rectangle with a fixed smile and a dream of being toasted. It was the inaugural Pop-Tart Bowl, and it gave us the greatest—and weirdest—mascot death in the history of televised athletics.
But once the confetti settled at Camping World Stadium in Orlando and the Kansas State Wildcats finished devouring the edible version of Strawberry (yes, that was his name), a very specific question started circulating among memorabilia nerds and college football fans: where is the Pop-Tart Bowl trophy and its legacy living these days?
People aren't just looking for a stadium location. They want to know where that giant toaster is kept. They want to know if the spirit of the edible mascot is preserved somewhere or if it was just a fever dream sponsored by Kellogg’s.
The Birth of a Pastry Legend
College football is weird. We have bowls named after lawnmowers, mayonnaise, and tax software. But when the Cheez-It Bowl rebranded to the Pop-Tart Bowl in 2023, nobody expected it to become a cultural touchstone. The game itself featured Kansas State against NC State, a solid matchup, but the real star was the "Edible Mascot."
The concept was simple but horrifyingly brilliant. A guy in a Pop-Tart suit would perform all game, then "sacrifice" himself by descending into a giant toaster. He would then emerge from the bottom as a giant, actual, toasted Pop-Tart for the winning team to eat. It was peak marketing.
Honestly, it worked too well.
The "Pop-Tarts Bowl" wasn't just a game; it was a performance art piece about consumerism and mortality. When Strawberry held up a sign that said "Dreams really do come true" before being lowered into the heating elements, the internet lost its collective mind.
Where is the Pop-Tart Bowl Actually Located?
To answer the literal question of where is the Pop-Tart Bowl, you have to look at Orlando, Florida. Specifically, Camping World Stadium. This isn't a permanent museum, though. The game is an annual event, part of the post-season rotation managed by Florida Citrus Sports.
But if you're looking for the physical hardware—the trophy that looks like a giant silver toaster—that lives with the winners.
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The Kansas State Residency
Currently, the "physical" legacy of that first viral game resides in Manhattan, Kansas. Kansas State won the 2023 game 28-19. Because they were the victors, they took home the silver toaster trophy. In the world of college athletics, trophies usually end up in the "Hall of Champions" or a similar trophy case within the athletic department's facilities.
If you visit the Vanier Family Football Complex at Kansas State, that's where the glory sits. It’s nestled among Big 12 championship rings and other bowl trophies, looking slightly more delicious than the others.
The Toaster itself
The massive prop toaster used for the "sacrifice" isn't a permanent monument in Orlando. After the game, these oversized props are typically disassembled and stored by the production company or the sponsor (Kellogg's/Pringles/Kellanova). It’s not sitting out in a park somewhere. It’s in a warehouse, likely in Florida or near the corporate headquarters, waiting for the next December to roll around so it can "toast" another willing participant.
Why We Are Still Obsessed With This Location
It's about the absurdity. In an era where college sports is dominated by NIL deals, transfer portals, and corporate clinicalism, the Pop-Tart Bowl felt human. Or at least, it felt like someone had a really weird idea and was actually allowed to execute it.
Search interest for "where is the Pop-Tart Bowl" usually spikes every time a new weird mascot appears. People are looking for that specific brand of chaos.
Let's talk about Strawberry. The mascot.
He didn't die. Well, the foam suit didn't.
The character was consumed.
The actual suit used for the non-edible portions of the game is part of the brand's marketing kit. You’ll see him popping up at promotional events, but the "Edible" version—the one the players actually ate—is obviously gone. To the victors go the carbs.
The Evolution of the Game
Before it was the Pop-Tart Bowl, this game had a long, winding history. It started as the Sunshine Classic in 1990. Then it was the Blockbuster Bowl. Then the Carquest Bowl. Then the MicronPC Bowl.
Eventually, it became the Tangerine Bowl (again), the Foot Locker Bowl, the Champs Sports Bowl, the Russell Athletic Bowl, and finally the Cheez-It Bowl.
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When you ask "where is the Pop-Tart Bowl," you're asking about the latest iteration of a game that has moved around quite a bit. It’s been played in Miami (Joe Robbie Stadium) and now Orlando. It has a tie-in with the ACC and the Big 12. This matters because it determines which fans are traveling to find the "Pop-Tart Bowl" every year.
The 2024-2025 Context
As we move into 2025 and 2026, the location remains Camping World Stadium. The venue is currently undergoing massive renovations—a $400 million project intended to keep it competitive with the shiny new NFL stadiums. So, the "where" is a construction zone that still manages to host some of the most entertaining football of the year.
How to Visit the "Site of the Sacrifice"
If you're a hardcore fan and want to make a pilgrimage to where the Pop-Tart Bowl happens, here is the lowdown on getting there.
Camping World Stadium is located at 1 Citrus Bowl Blvd, Orlando, FL 32805.
Don't expect to see a giant pastry statue when you pull up on a random Tuesday in July. It’s a multi-purpose stadium. It hosts the Citrus Bowl, the Florida Classic, and occasionally massive concert tours.
If you want the full experience:
- Go in December. The game usually happens in the window between Christmas and New Year's Day.
- Check the "FanFest." This is where the sponsors set up the interactive booths. This is where you find the toaster-themed games and, yes, free Pop-Tarts.
- Stay Downtown. The stadium is just west of downtown Orlando. Most fans stay in the downtown area or out by Universal/International Drive and shuttle in.
Misconceptions About the Trophy
A lot of people think the trophy itself is edible.
It’s not.
Please don’t try to lick it if you ever get close to the Kansas State trophy case. It’s made of metal and wood. The mascot was edible. The trophy is a standard, albeit hilariously shaped, sports award.
There's also a rumor that there are multiple "Strawberry" mascots buried in a vault somewhere. While the brand certainly has more than one suit for logistical reasons, the "lore" of the bowl game insists there is only one who chooses to be toasted each year. It’s high-stakes theater for people who like frosted snacks.
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The Cultural Impact: Why Does This Rank?
Google sees thousands of searches for "where is the Pop-Tart Bowl" because it represents a shift in how brands interact with sports. It’s "weird marketing." It’s the same reason people search for the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile or the location of the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest.
We live in a world that is often too serious. A giant sentient toaster pastry that wants to be eaten is the antidote to that seriousness.
The game has actually outperformed many "New Year's Six" bowls in terms of social media engagement. Why? Because you can't meme a standard trophy presentation. You can meme a giant Pop-Tart holding a sign about his impending demise while "The Circle of Life" plays (okay, they didn't play that, but they should have).
What to Do If You're Planning a Trip
If you are looking to find the Pop-Tart Bowl in person for the next season, keep these practical steps in mind.
- Tickets: They usually go on sale in the fall. Don't wait until the teams are announced in early December if you want lower-bowl seats near the toaster.
- The "Toasting" Zone: The giant toaster is typically located in one of the end zones. If you want to be on TV when the mascot "dies," that’s where you want your seats.
- The Merch: The Pop-Tart Bowl merch sells out incredibly fast. People want the "RIP Strawberry" shirts and the toaster-shaped hats. If you aren't at the stadium early, you're buying it for 4x the price on eBay.
- Alternative Locations: If you can't make it to Orlando, the "spirit" of the bowl often travels to major food festivals. Kellanova (the parent company) frequently brings Pop-Tart themed activations to cities like NYC, Chicago, and LA.
The Future of the Toaster
Will the Pop-Tart Bowl stay in Orlando? For now, yes. The contract with Florida Citrus Sports is solid. However, in the world of corporate sponsorships, names change. We might one day be looking for the "Eggo Waffle Bowl" or the "Pringles Can Classic."
But for now, the Pop-Tart Bowl is the king of the "Snack Bowls."
It has set a bar that other sponsors are struggling to meet. The Duke's Mayo Bowl tries by dumping mayonnaise on the winning coach, which is gross but effective. The Cheez-It Bowl had the "Cheez-In" rooms. But nothing tops the edible mascot.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're genuinely trying to track down the Pop-Tart Bowl experience or its physical remains, here is your checklist:
- Visit Manhattan, Kansas: To see the 2023 trophy in the Kansas State trophy hall.
- Book Orlando for late December: To see the actual game at Camping World Stadium.
- Follow the Mascot on Socials: The Pop-Tarts brand handles the "Strawberry" persona year-round. They often post his "location" during the off-season.
- Check the Hall of Fame: There has been talk of donating some of the viral props to the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta. While not confirmed yet, it’s the most likely retirement home for the giant toaster.
The Pop-Tart Bowl isn't just a place on a map; it's a specific, chaotic moment in time that happens once a year in Central Florida. Whether you're there for the football or the frosting, you won't find anything else like it in the sports world.