The Tampa Bay region has long been celebrated for its beautiful beaches, temperate climate, and robust arts scene. In recent years, however, another big draw has become a more serious part of the concentration: live sporting events with global appeal.
Tampa has been no stranger to Super Bowls since Raymond James Stadium was first erected, but the calendar of huge, often one-off events has grown exponentially in the decades since. Just in the last year and change, the region has been home to everything from Premier League soccer and the WWE WrestleMania and Royal Rumble to the NCAA Hockey Frozen Four and the internationally celebrated Red Bull Flugtag (that one was particularly entertaining).
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The biggest sporting events coming to Tampa
In the years (and weeks) ahead, some of the world’s biggest stars and many of sport’s biggest moments are coming to Tampa Bay – a boon for locals and travelers alike. This rise in big attractions is no accident, of course. Sure, the area is growing in population, and tourism numbers are through the roof even with hurricane damage. But this growth has been in the works for decades.
Groups like the Tampa Bay Sports Commission play a huge role in promoting the area, negotiating deals, and ultimately bringing these major events to town. Visit St. Pete-Clearwater has an entire department dedicated to sports, and the various events and tournaments hosted in Pinellas County are huge economic drivers. Ditto for Visit Tampa Bay, yet another of the local tourism arms helping to draw not only visitors but also major events to the area.
This isn’t a full list of sporting events in the area, and obviously it leaves out the pro and college teams who play their entire seasons here every year (welcome to Tampa, Rays!), as well as annual events such as the Valspar Championship golf tournament and Firestone Grand Prix (both coming up in March). But with several marquee and unique events coming in the near future, we figured we’d take a look at the big ones that you don’t see every year.
Big sporting events coming to Tampa
Orlando City vs Inter Miami FC – Friday, February 14: The man considered by many to be the greatest soccer player of all time is making his Tampa debut as Leo Messi and his high-flying Inter Miami squad participate in a preseason friendly at Raymond James Stadium.
Tampa Bay Sun vs Gotham FC – Sunday, March 2: This one is huge for the sport of soccer, as it’s the first-ever crossover matchup between the two premier women’s soccer leagues in the U.S., the USL Super League and NWSL. The Tampa Bay Sun will host this historic matchup at their Riverfront Stadium in Tampa.
NCAA Women’s Basketball Final Four – April 3-6: No sport has experienced such a meteoric rise in popularity quite like women’s basketball, thanks in particular to stars at the collegiate level. In a fit of perfect timing for us, the biggest event in the sport comes to Amalie Arena this spring. (We’re OK if you still call it March Madness, no matter what the calendar actually says).
NHL Stadium Series – February 1, 2026: Outside of Bolts championships, this may be the biggest hockey game in the region’s history, and it will be one of the most visually stunning for any game in NHL annals, as hockey is played in the shade of palm trees at Raymond James Stadium. The Tampa Bay Lightning will host the Boston Bruins to kick off the 2026 Navy Federal Credit Union™ NHL Stadium Series.
Florida-Georgia NCAA Football – Fall 2027: We’re not supposed to call it the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party anymore, but the annual tilt between the University of Florida and University of Georgia remains one of the biggest rivalry games in college football. With upcoming construction on the Jaguars stadium disrupting its usual neutral-site home, Tampa has secured the rights to host the big SEC matchup in 2027.
College Football Playoff Championship game – January/February 2029: This one isn’t officially official yet, but few reporters (if any) are as connected as Action Network’s Brett McMurphy, especially when it comes to the postseason. McMurphy reports Raymond James Stadium will be the host site for the penultimate game of the college football calendar, which would bring tens of thousands of fans to the area, as well as tons of media attention in the week leading up to the game.
More big events upcoming:
Monster Energy Supercross 2025, February 8: After missing out on last year’s national tour, the adrenaline-fueled SuperMotocross event returns to Tampa.
NXL Paintball, March 6-9: Did you know there’s a professional paintball league? Regularly televised on ESPN, the league kicks off its 2025 season at Raymond James Stadium.
Savannah Bananas, March 15 – Even after moving from the damaged Tropicana Field to Raymond James Stadium, the highly-entertaining act still managed to become a quick sell-out. If you have tickets, congrats!
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