Florida

Welcome to Florida!

In 2026, as the United States celebrates its 250th birthday, Florida is writing its own chapter—told through the language of sport. The year opens under bright South Florida lights as the College Football Playoff National Championship takes the field at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. It is the perfect prologue: a national showcase that reminds the country how seamlessly Florida hosts big moments.
Just a few days later, the spotlight shifts north to Tallahassee’s Apalachee Regional Park, where the World Masters Cross Country Championships bring elite runners from around the globe to our pine-lined trails. The story continues in March, when the World Baseball Classic returns to Miami’s loanDepot park—flags waving, bands playing, a dozen languages in the concourse—and Tampa tips into March Madness with the NCAA Tournament, proving once again that our venues, volunteers, and cities rise to every occasion.

By summer, the world’s eyes converge on Miami for the FIFA World Cup™. It is the kind of once-in-a-lifetime spectacle that turns a destination into a memory for millions. However, the truth is that soccer never truly leaves Florida. From first kicks on Saturday mornings to professional matches under the lights, the game threads through our community’s year-round—Pensacola to Miami, coast to coast, with more green space, pitches, and passion than ever.

What makes this possible is not just our sunshine and stadiums—it is our people. With 37 partner organizations statewide, Florida offers a ready-made network of destinations, rights holders, sports commissions, and community leaders who know how to deliver—delivered with precision and fiscal discipline and with the kind of fan experience that keeps events coming back. Whether you are launching a new property, relocating a championship, or scaling a signature series, you will find the right field of play and the right team on the ground.
Every year is a celebration of sport in Florida, and 2026 will be a banner year. We cannot wait to welcome your athletes, your fans, and your vision to the Sunshine State—and to help you turn your next event into the best chapter yet.

Maicel Green
President & CEO
Florida Sports Foundation