Whether your passion is fishing, diving, running or cycling, there's no shortage of options on water and land in Florida. And if you prefer being a spectator, Florida offers sports fans a bit of everything, from laid-back spring training games to frenzied football action. There’s auto racing, tennis, golf, hockey, and even more exotic options like polo and jai-alai.
THE GREAT AMERICAN RACE
In Florida’s auto-racing world, no event looms larger than the DAYTONA 500. NASCAR’s biggest race is scheduled for February 22, 2015, at Daytona International Speedway, which is home to other events throughout the year. For fans who prefer to know what it feels like to ride shotgun or to sit behind the wheel, the Richard Petty Driving Experience lets you ride in and even drive a stock car on the famous 2.5-mile oval.
The Homestead-Miami Speedway also hosts a NASCAR race and other events. Like Daytona, this track also gives fans a chance to drive. Its Mario Andretti Racing Experience sells training sessions that include either a ridealong or solo drives for five or eight racing minutes in an open cockpit, full-size Indy car.
A NATIONAL PASTIME
Baseball is a big deal in Florida, where the Major League Baseball season starts early. Every March, Florida’s Grapefruit League is home to spring training for 15 clubs, including the Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, New York Mets and oronto Blue Jays. The state’s spring training stadiums have undergone a major upgrade over the years. Fans no longer sit on metal bleachers.
Instead, the ballparks have turned into smaller versions of Major League stadiums, complete with luxury suites. Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter (spring training home to the Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals) was designed
by the same architectural firm that drew up the CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: GETTY IMAGES; JERRY ZITTERMAN/SHUTTERSTOCK; RICHARD CAVALLERI/SHUTTERSTOCK; PERRY CORRELL/SHUTTERSTOCK
SPORTS GET INTO THE ACTION BY JEFF OSTROWSKI The DAYTONA 500 is popular with families.
Marlins Park in Miami is home to the Miami Marlins. well-regarded Camden Yards in Baltimore. For years, Florida’s big-league baseball ended in April, when the players headed north. But now Florida is home to two big-league teams, the Miami Marlins and the Tampa Bay Rays. The Marlins, who won the World Series in 1997 and 2003, play in a striking new stadium in Miami. Because Marlins Park has a retractable roof, rainouts no longer pose a problem. Among the new park’s quirky features are an outfield sculpture that twirls when a Marlin hits a home run and a bobblehead museum. Join the party at the Clevelander at Marlins Park where up to 250 fans can enjoy field-level seats, accessibility for the disabled, table service located beside the visiting team bullpen and a menu of classic food selections. The Rays, who reached the World Series in 2008, play in Tropicana Field, an indoor stadium in St. Petersburg.
SLAM-DUNK
Florida has emerged as a basketball powerhouse, too, thanks to LeBron James’ high-profile decision to join the Miami Heat in 2010. The Heat reached the NBA Finals in 2011 but lost, then won the NBA championships in 2012 and 2013 before losing again in 2014. The state’s other NBA team, the Orlando Magic, has reached the NBA finals twice.
College hoops are big news, too. The Florida Gators have won two NCAA championships and both Florida State and the University of Miami field strong teams.
TOUCHDOWN!
Florida fans are passionate about all their sports, but football has the strongest hold. The state is home to three NFL teams—the Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jacksonville Jaguars. Florida fans love their pro teams, but they’re even more passionate about their college teams. Florida, Florida State and Miami all have produced NCAA championships and Heisman Trophy winners. The football teams at the University of Central Florida (UCF) and the University of South Florida also have stepped up their games in recent years. UCF’s quarterback last year, Blake Bortles, was the No. 1 pick in the National Football League draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. If you prefer soccer to American football, the Orlando Lions begin playing Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2015. Miami often hosts international friendly matches and also hopes to field an MLS team in the near future.
GOT STICK?
Hockey doesn’t generate the same passion among Florida fans as other sports, but the Sunshine State boasts two NHL teams nonetheless. The Florida Panthers play in Sunrise, near Fort Lauderdale, and the Tampa Bay Lightning skate in Tampa. Both teams have enjoyed occasional success. The Lightning won the Stanley Cup in 2004, and the Panthers reached the NHL finals in 1996.
GRAND SLAMS
While hockey isn’t exactly synonymous with Florida, tennis is. The Sony Open in Key Biscayne offers spectators the chance to see some of the sport’s biggest stars. In 2014, Novak Djokovic won the men’s tournament (his fourth) while Serena Williams captured the women’s trophy (her seventh). The 2015 event is scheduled for March 23–April 5. The annual Delray Beach International Tennis Championship also draws a big crowd.
POUNDING HOOVES
Florida is home to a dozen high-profile teams and a number of big-time events, however there are plenty of highlights that’ll never make SportsCenter. For horsepower on four legs rather than four wheels, check out the Palm Beach International Equestrian Club, a mecca for the horsey set in Wellington, west of Palm Beach. The 120-acre club hosts the Winter Equestrian Festival, the nation’s largest and richest grand prix jumping event. Olympic equestrian athletes from around the world compete.
Florida has emerged as a basketball powerhouse, too, thanks to LeBron James’ high-profile decision to join the Miami Heat in 2010. The Heat reached the NBA Finals in 2011 but lost, then won the NBA championships in 2012 and 2013 before losing again in 2014. The state’s other NBA team, the Orlando Magic, has reached the NBA finals twice.
College hoops are big news, too. The Florida Gators have won two NCAA championships and both Florida State and the University of Miami field strong teams.
TOUCHDOWN!
Florida fans are passionate about all their sports, but football has the strongest hold. The state is home to three NFL teams—the Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jacksonville Jaguars. Florida fans love their pro teams, but they’re even more passionate about their college teams. Florida, Florida State and Miami all have produced NCAA championships and Heisman Trophy winners. The football teams at the University of Central Florida (UCF) and the University of South Florida also have stepped up their games in recent years. UCF’s quarterback last year, Blake Bortles, was the No. 1 pick in the National Football League draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. If you prefer soccer to American football, the Orlando Lions begin playing Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2015. Miami often hosts international friendly matches and also hopes to field an MLS team in the near future.
Hockey doesn’t generate the same passion among Florida fans as other sports, but the Sunshine State boasts two NHL teams nonetheless. The Florida Panthers play in Sunrise, near Fort Lauderdale, and the Tampa Bay Lightning skate in Tampa. Both teams have enjoyed occasional success. The Lightning won the Stanley Cup in 2004, and the Panthers reached the NHL finals in 1996.
GRAND SLAMS
While hockey isn’t exactly synonymous with Florida, tennis is. The Sony Open in Key Biscayne offers spectators the chance to see some of the sport’s biggest stars. In 2014, Novak Djokovic won the men’s tournament (his fourth) while Serena Williams captured the women’s trophy (her seventh). The 2015 event is scheduled for March 23–April 5. The annual Delray Beach International Tennis Championship also draws a big crowd.
POUNDING HOOVES
Florida is home to a dozen high-profile teams and a number of big-time events, however there are plenty of highlights that’ll never make SportsCenter. For horsepower on four legs rather than four wheels, check out the Palm Beach International Equestrian Club, a mecca for the horsey set in Wellington, west of Palm Beach. The 120-acre club hosts the Winter Equestrian Festival, the nation’s largest and richest grand prix jumping event. Olympic equestrian athletes from around the world compete.
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