December 8, 2024 brought another stop on our Raiders Road Trip Series — this time to Tampa, Florida, to watch the Raiders take on the Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.

Late in the season, another city, another stadium — and another chance to spend a full NFL Sunday together doing something we both love.

After our trip to Miami earlier in the season, Florida was starting to feel familiar — but Tampa had a completely different energy.

• Cooler December weather, but still warm compared to home

• A more laid-back game-day feel

• A stadium with its own unmistakable personality

Every city adds something new, and Tampa was no exception.

Raymond James Stadium stands out the moment you walk in — especially with the massive pirate ship in the end zone.

For my son, that ship alone was enough to make this stadium memorable.

Walking around the stadium:

• Pirate flags flying

• Cannons ready to fire

• A crowd fully locked into Buccaneers football

It’s one of those stadiums that feels fun without trying too hard.

By this point in the season, being Raiders fans on the road felt natural.

Sitting side by side:

• Calling out big plays

• Reacting to momentum shifts

• Soaking in another NFL atmosphere

No matter the opponent or location, watching the Raiders together is always the constant.

December games feel different. The season’s been long, the stakes feel higher, and every moment seems to matter a little more.

But as always, this trip wasn’t about standings or stats.

It was about:

• Another shared experience

• Another long weekend together

• Another memory added to the collection

That’s what makes these trips worth repeating.

Raymond James Stadium was another new stadium for us — another pin on the map in what’s becoming a growing tradition.

Different teams.
Different crowds.
Same seats, side by side.