JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Military personnel and their families have the opportunity to attend this year's TaxSlayer Bowl and postgame concert for free as part of the new "Honoring Our Heroes Program," which was announced Monday.

The program, with TaxSlayer as a $500,000 sponsor, will provide 5,000 free tickets to the bowl game and concert for active-duty service members, retirees and veterans, and their family members. They will also be honored at the Dec. 30 game at EverBank Field in downtown Jacksonville.

"To be able to give back to them at a very special time, New Year's weekend, is just special for us and TaxSlayer and it gives them an opportunity for us to show our appreciation for the sacrifices they make everyday by giving back to our country," said TaxSlayer Bowl Chairman David Long.

TaxSlayer Chief Marketing Officer Chris Moloney said the program is designed as a thank you to military personnel and their families.

"This is really all about us celebrating the military, celebrating our heroes, giving them the opportunity to enjoy the weekend and enjoy the bowl game and entertainment with their families at no cost," Moloney said. "That's the focus for us, honoring our military and putting them first."

The 2017 TaxSlayer Bowl kicks off at noon Dec. 30 and will feature a team from the Southeastern Conference against an opponent from either the Big 10 conference, Atlantic Coast Conference or the Notre Dame football team. A concert at the Daily's Place amphitheater will follow the bowl game.

Tickets are first come, first served. A valid military ID or VA ID card is required to register. Each serviceman or woman may request up to four tickets per military ID or VA ID card. To register, visit taxslayerbowl.com.