Sports Tourism in Florida

While Florida’s warm weather and image as an ideal travel location drew many Major League Baseball teams to the state for spring training, it also has become the location for countless other major sporting events. Fifteen of the forty-six Super Bowls have been played in Florida, with Miami being the most common location, hosting the big game ten times. The state’s numerous non-sports related attractions such as beaches and theme parks have helped draw fans to attend sporting events in the state. Visitors for the big game often come with the knowledge that they can make a full vacation out of the trip, by spending one day at the beach, another at a theme park, and feeling confident that they will have beautiful weather regardless. These sporting events are boons for the entire local economy, as the city gets a chance to show off all of its assets.

NASCAR racing kicks off its season with the biggest race of the year at the Daytona 500, echoing baseball’s method of giving the sport a fresh start and new beginning in Florida. NASCAR returns to the state on multiple occasions throughout their season, including the final race that determines the championship. Florida is also a popular destination for professional golf and tennis, with each holding a variety of tournaments here. Idyllic weather for events, combined with numerous other attractions for fans, have made Florida a prime choice for a variety of major, high-profile professional sporting events.