The NCAA announced today that organizers of the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl were granted a license to operate a second bowl game in San Diego. An evening kickoff is expected for this year’s inaugural game that will be played on Thursday, December 22 at Qualcomm Stadium.

“This is great news for the San Diego region,” said 2005 Holiday Bowl president Stephen P. Cushman. “This second game alone will bring thousands of fans to town and will pump millions of dollars into our economy. And this during what is typically the slowest tourism week of the year.

“Since its inception in 1978, the Holiday Bowl has contributed more than $350 million in economic benefit to the region,” Cushman continued. “The addition of this second game will only enhance the considerable contributions the bowl effort is providing our community.”

The game will pit a team from the Mountain West Conference against an at-large opponent. Organizers have received letters of support from the Western Athletic Conference, Conference USA and the United States Naval Academy.

Holiday Bowl officials reported that the name of the game, the title sponsor, logo, and bowl game beneficiary will be revealed at a press conference Wednesday, April 27 at 5 p.m. at the Hall of Champions Sports Museum.