A Winning Lineup: Sarasota’s Must-See Sporting Events

From highland athletes to paddle crews, pro golfers to clay-court contenders, Sarasota County’s 2026 sports calendar is stacked with premier competitions, community classics and fan-friendly experiences worth planning a trip around. Whether you’re cheering on a multi-discipline triathlon, planning a sports-centric vacation or curious about combining big events with beach days, this Gulf Coast destination provides the perfect backdrop for unforgettable athletic experiences.

Show Jumping Under the Stars Grand Prix

Rider competing in show jumping at Fox Lea Farm

January 13, 2026 - March 13, 2026 • Fox Lea Farm, Venice
An elegant blend of equestrian sport and dark-sky entertainment, Show Jumping Under the Stars $24,999 Grand Prix showcases elite riders and championship-level show jumping. This Olympic sport requires extraordinary athleticism from both horse and rider, with jumps approaching 5 feet high and 6 feet wide. Experience the excitement on Friday evenings throughout the winter season at Fox Lea Farm, one of the region’s premier equestrian facilities. 

Stay Nearby

Fairfield Inn & Suites Venice — A great hotel option less than 10 minutes from the event venue and close to Venice’s beaches and historic downtown. Ask about horse show discounts when booking as a Fox Lea Farm lodging partner!

Scottish Highland Games & Celtic Festival 

January 31, 2026 - February 1, 2026 • Sarasota Fairgrounds, Sarasota
Celebrate strength, heritage and tradition at the Suncoast Scots Scottish Highland Games & Celtic Festival, where a caber and sheaf toss, hammer throw, open stone put and other crowd-pleasing competitions take center stage alongside Celtic music, dancing and family-friendly fun. The Sarasota Fairgrounds hosts this spirited event that blends athleticism with cultural celebration.

Stay Nearby

Carlisle Inn & Conference Center Sarasota — A short drive from the Fairgrounds, this comfortable option keeps you close to competitions and downtown Sarasota’s dining and entertainment.

Sarasota Bay Multihull Regatta 

February 20–22, 2026 • City Island, Sarasota Bay
The Sarasota Sailing Squadron will once again host the annual invitational Sarasota Bay Multihull Regatta. This is sail racing with a twist: multihull catamarans and trimarans take the water for tactical courses that combine speed and strategy. With stunning Sarasota Bay views, this weekend event is a favorite for sailors and spectators alike. 

Stay Nearby

Cirque St. Armands Beachside — A stylish boutique hotel base on Lido Key, a quick walk to lively dining and shopping on St. Armands Circle and a short drive to waterfront racing at Ken Thompson Park. 

Spring Training Games

Baltimore Orioles playing at their Spring Training home stadium

February 20, 2026 – March 24, 2026 • Ed Smith Stadium, Sarasota & CoolToday Park, North Port
Catch MLB's Grapefruit League action during Spring Training as Major League Baseball teams prepare for the season at their home-away-from-homes. Grab tickets and your ball cap to see the Orioles play at Ed Smith Stadium, or the Atlanta Braves play at CoolToday Park. Both facilities are where young stars shine and fans enjoy ballpark classics under sunny skies. 

Stay Nearby

voco Sarasota — This upscale boutique hotel across Sarasota's bayfront is perfect for business and leisure travel, and is less than a 10-minute drive to Ed Smit Stadium. Hampton Inn & Suites North Port — Convenient for early games and group travel, with easy access to CoolToday Park and North Port’s Downtown Wellen Park.

Elizabeth Moore Sarasota Open

April 6-12, 2026 • Sarasota Sports Club, Sarasota
A highlight of Florida’s clay-court season, the week-long Elizabeth Moore Sarasota Open brings ATP Challenger Tour tennis to the Sarasota Sports Club’s green clay courts. This coveted tournament is a wonderful time to witness rising and established pros in intense singles and doubles competition. 

Stay Nearby

Casey Key Resorts Mainland — This stylish resort just south of Sarasota in Osprey is a 10-minute drive to all the tennis action at the Sports Club, as well as Siesta Key's famous beaches, eateries and entertainment. 

Senior PGA Championship 

April 16–19, 2026 • The Concession Golf Club, Bradenton
The 2026 Senior PGA Championship will mark the event’s debut at The Concession and its return to Florida, where it was exclusively held from 1940 to 2000. As the oldest of the five major championships in men's senior golf, the event promises world-class field competition amid championship-caliber fairways and scenic vistas.

Stay Nearby

EVEN Hotel Sarasota-Lakewood Ranch by IHG — This wellness-focused hotel is perfect for golfers and fans planning day trips to the Concession, followed by grabbing their own tee time at one of Lakewood Ranch's public courses.

Sarasota International Dragon Boat Festival 

Dragon boat crew paddling across Nathan Benderson Park lake

April 18, 2026 • Nathan Benderson Park, Sarasota
Experience the energy of the Sarasota International Dragon Boat Festival at world-class rowing and paddling venue Nathan Benderson Park (NBP) as crews race 200m, 500m and 2K courses. Fans enjoy festival entertainment, wellness exhibits, food truck eats and shoreline cheering that make this both a sporting spectacle and fun community outing. 

Stay Nearby

Courtyard by Marriott Sarasota at University Town Center — Right down the road from NBP lake, this hotel offers endless dining and shopping at the UTC, as well as mini golf and aquarium entertainment after the event wraps.

Prinx Tires USL Cup

Sarasota Paradise cheering with fans at Premier Sports Campus

May 16, 2026 & July 11, 2026 • Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch
Catch the county's professional soccer team, Sarasota Paradise, as they compete for the first time in the Prinx Tires USL Cup, a World Cup-style tournament featuring all 43 teams across the USL Championship and League One division. Soccer fans can score tickets and root our team on our home fields at Premier Sports Campus as they take on South Georgia Tormenta in May, and Miami FC in July. 

Stay Nearby

EVEN Hotel Sarasota-Lakewood Ranch by IHG — A great base for soccer fans, with a 15-minute drive to Premier Sports Campus, and easy access to local restaurants and University Town Center amenities.

Florida's Beach Volleyball Tour

Beach volleyball players playing on the #1 Beach in America

May 30–31, 2026 & October 3–4, 2026 • Siesta Beach, Siesta Key
Beach volleyball fans and players alike can enjoy fast-paced action, social play and a lively seaside atmosphere at one of America’s top beach destinations. Serve right on the world-famous quartz sands of Siesta Key Beach, host to two stops on Florida Beach Volleyball Tour, presented by the Sunshine State Outdoor Volleyball Association (SSOVA). These AVP-sanctioned tournaments feature adult, coed and junior divisions to battle it out under sunny skies with ocean views as the backdrop. 

Stay Nearby

Siesta Key Beach Resort & Suites — Just steps from the tournament courts and perfect for volleyball fans hoping to soak up sun, sand and match-day energy while staying close to all the action in Siesta Key Village.

USRowing Youth National Championships 

June 11–14, 2026 • Nathan Benderson Park, Sarasota
One of the national rowing calendar’s marquee events, the USRowing Youth National Championships brings thousands of athletes and spectators to Sarasota County’s premier 400-acre regatta lake, where invited competitors vie for top honors across age groups.

Stay Nearby

Homewood Suites by Hilton Sarasota-Lakewood Ranch — Conveniently located a stone's throw away from the venue, this hotel is ideal for families and teams taking part in multi-day regattas and event schedules.

Florida Inline Skating Marathon

November 7, 2026 • Nathan Benderson Park, Sarasota
Roll into summer with this 13K, 25K and 42 K inline skating challenge that attracts national and international skaters of all abilities. The Florida Inline Skating Marathon will take place on Nathan Benderson Park (NBP)’s smooth paved loops and scenic backdrop. 

Stay Nearby

Homewood Suites by Hilton Sarasota Lakewood Ranch — It doesn't get much closer than this hotel, with less than a mile stroll to NBP. You're also in the heart of many University Town Center restaurants, fitness centers and shops.

Draft Legal Sarasota Triathlon 

January 10, 2027 • Nathan Benderson Park, Sarasota
Dive into the competitive Draft Legal Sarasota Triathlon, one of the Gulf Coast’s most exciting multisport events. The USA Triathlon-sanctioned race features Draft-Legal bike courses for the Sprint and Olympic distances—meaning athletes can ride strategically in packs and benefit from group tactics for a more dynamic race experience. A newly introduced Open distance option makes the event welcoming to beginners, while Sprint and Olympic courses challenge seasoned competitors with open-water swim, bike and run segments.