Essential Guide to Florida Sporting Events for UK Holidaymakers

Florida may be renowned for its theme park glory and never-ending sunshine, however, it’s also home to some of the greatest sporting events in the States. From slam dunks to home runs, Florida boasts an exciting sports calendar that will make your holiday in a league of its own… 
 

American Football  

American football may be different from the one we know and love, but it’s every bit as entertaining in its own right. Florida has 3 teams competing in the NFL - the Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Jacksonville Jaguars, giving you triple the opportunity to experience the excitement of a live game. With the 2025/2026 season ending with a Seattle Seahawks victory, the 2026/2027 season will kick off in early September, so be sure to keep an eye on the upcoming fixtures.

If you’re based in Orlando, catching a game couldn’t be easier. Tampa is just a two-hour drive away, making it an easy option for a day trip. But whether you choose Miami, Jacksonville, or Tampa, catching an NFL game is the perfect excuse to explore more of Florida on one of our multi-centre holidays. We recommend the two-hour drive from Orlando to Jacksonville to experience American football at one of the largest arenas in the NFL, the EverBank Stadium. Situated in Downtown Jacksonville, it seats over 80,000 fans, creating a buzzing cauldron.
   

Basketball 

From the magic of Walt Disney World to a centre court seat watching the Orlando Magic, now that’s the dream. The Kia Center (formerly Amway Center) in downtown Orlando is the place to see all the action from one of the NBA’s top teams. Florida is represented in the NBA by two powerhouses: the Orlando Magic and the Miami Heat, with both teams set on securing spots in the Eastern Conference playoffs. 

Miami Heat will host a lineup of thrilling matchups at the Kaseya Center, taking on the Boston Celtics on 1st April, the Washington Wizards on 4th April, and the Atlanta Hawks on 12th April. Meanwhile, the Orlando Magic will bring the excitement home at the Kia Center, facing the Atlanta Hawks on 1st April, the Detroit Pistons on 6th April, and the Minnesota Timberwolves on 8th April.

Baseball  

For the quintessential American sports experience, a baseball match is a must. The two popular teams in Florida are the Miami Marlins and Tampa Bay Rays. The Miami Marlins play at LoanDepot Park, a retractable roof stadium located in the Little Havana neighbourhood of Miami. And the Tampa Bay Rays play at Tropicana Field (nicknamed "The Trop"), a domed multipurpose stadium located in St. Petersburg. 

If you’re looking to catch an MLB game, the season runs from late March to early October. For a Florida derby, catch the Tampa Bay Rays play the Miami Marlins at Tropicana Field from the 15th to 17th May, then again from 5th to 7th June at Miami's LoanDepot Park. The summer lineup continues with more thrilling highlights as the Tampa Bay Rays face the Boston Red Sox from 8th to 10th June, while the Miami Marlins go head-to-head with the San Francisco Giants from 19th to 21st June.

Early booking is advised for MLB games, especially for popular matchups.   

Motorsports 

Motorsports has a special place in Florida’s sporting calendar, and leading the pack is the legendary Daytona 500. The annual stock-car race is a 500-mile event that marks the start of the NASCAR Cup Series season. It takes place every February at the iconic Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach.

While the 2026 Daytona 500 race has come and gone, you can still visit the Daytona International Speedway for high-octane action at the WAWA 250 Powered by Coca Cola on 28th August, part of the NASCAR Xfinity Series, followed by the Coke Zero Sugar 400 on 29th August 2026.  After the race, you can explore the stunning Daytona Beach area, home to glorious sandy shores, as well as a plethora of entertainment options, including arcades, a water park, and go-karts. 

Over in Miami, you can now witness Formula 1 racing until at least 2032. In 2022, the Miami Grand Prix was added to the calendar on a 10 year contract, with the race scheduled to take place annually in early May at the Miami International Autodrome - a purpose-built circuit around the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.

Scheduled for 3rd May 2026, the 57-lap Miami Grand Prix is spectator-friendly, including multiple straights, Overtake Mode, and elevation changes to encourage overtaking and close racing. You may even spot a celebrity or two when you’re there, with famous faces such as World Cup winner, Zinedine Zidane, One Direction heartthrob, Zayn Malik, and American model, Kendall Jenner, having attended previous years. If you want to take the experience up a notch, you can also consider various hospitality packages, which offer premium experiences with gourmet dining, exclusive viewing areas, and luxury amenities.

Soccer

Soccer (cough, football) is gaining popularity by the minute, and excitement is only building ahead of the FIFA World Cup, hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico from 11th June to 19th July 2026. Florida will be part of the sporting action as Miami will host 7 games in total. First up are four Group-Stage games featuring Saudi Arabia v Uruguay, Uruguay v Cabo Verde, Scotland v Brazil, and Colombia v Portugal. Three knock-out matches will then follow, including a Round of 32 match, a quarter-final, and the bronze final. 

Beyond the World Cup buzz, the USA has its own thriving professional league, known as Major League Soccer (MLS), which starts in late February and culminates in the MLS Cup final in early December.

The man of the moment at the centre of that popularity is the world-renowned Lionel Messi. After joining Inter Miami back in 2023, the 39-year old has shown he can still deliver moments of magic. With his contract extension, you can now catch him in action until 2028. So, if you’ve always dreamed of seeing this football hero, and better yet, seeing him in the Art Deco capital, Miami, there’s no better time to book your Florida holiday. If you happen to be around during the World Cup, catch a derby against Orlando SC on 2nd May at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. Other exciting matchups include Inter Miami vs Chicago Fire FC on 22nd July, vs Nashville SC on 12th September, and against New York City FC on 14th October at Miami's newly-opened Nu Stadium.

If you're a theme park fan based in Orlando, you can also watch Orlando City SC in the Eastern Conference of the MLS. Highlights throughout the season include matches against Nashville SC on 25th July, FC Cincinnati on 15th August, and Toronto FC on 12th September at Orlando's Inter&Co Stadium.

Tennis

If you’re planning a trip to Florida next spring, make sure the world-class Miami Open is on your radar. While the 2026 edition has just wrapped up, the tournament returns in March 2027, offering another chance to see some of the biggest names in tennis. Past winners include legends of the sport, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray. Held at the spectacular 14,000-seat Centre Court in Hard Rock Stadium, this tournament is a breeding ground for young talent. For example, Jakub Mensik, at the age of 19, became the second youngest winner of the Miami Open in 2025. So, if you’re looking to catch a star in the making, you could very well find it here. 

Aside from offering top-class matches between incredible players, the Miami Open also features an array of music, food, and art experiences perfect for family fun and holiday memories to last a lifetime. 

Ready to be courtside Stateside? Check out our fabulous Florida holiday deals today.