Sports teams in Florida
Sports teams in Florida include many professional, semi-professional, amateur and college teams. In professional sports, Florida has three National Football League teams, two Major League Baseball teams, two National Basketball Association teams, two National Hockey League teams, two Major League Soccer teams, one Women's Soccer team and many minor league teams in various sports. Additionally, since the late 19th century Florida has been a significant spring training destination for Major League Baseball teams and their affiliates.
In college sports, thirteen Florida schools compete in NCAA Division I.[1] Various others compete in other organizations including NCAA Division II, the NAIA, the NJCAA, the USCAA, and the NCCAA.
Professional major league teams
Florida has teams in all of the major league sports — National Football League, Major League Baseball, National Basketball Association, National Hockey League, and Major League Soccer. In the early 1980s, Florida had major league teams in only the NFL. Florida has since added two NBA teams in the late 1980s. Florida added two NHL teams in the 1990s as part of the NHL's expansion into the south, and two MLB teams in the 1990s. Florida's most recent major-league team, Inter Miami CF, began play in MLS in 2020, after Florida's first MLS team since the folding of the Tampa Bay Mutiny and Miami Fusion in 2001, Orlando City, joined in 2015.[2]
| Club | Sport | League | Venue | Championships (Years) | Founded |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami Marlins | Baseball | MLB | loanDepot Park | 2 (1997, 2003) | 1993 |
| Tampa Bay Rays | Baseball | MLB | Tropicana Field | 0 | 1998 |
| Miami Heat | Basketball | NBA | Kaseya Center | 3 (2006, 2012, 2013) | 1988 |
| Orlando Magic | Basketball | NBA | Kia Center | 0 | 1989 |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | Football | NFL | EverBank Stadium | 0 | 1993 |
| Miami Dolphins | Football | NFL | Hard Rock Stadium | 2 (1972, 1973) | 1966 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Football | NFL | Raymond James Stadium | 2 (2002, 2020) | 1976 |
| Florida Panthers | Ice hockey | NHL | Amerant Bank Arena | 0 | 1993 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | Ice hockey | NHL | Amalie Arena | 3 (2004, 2020, 2021) | 1992 |
| Inter Miami CF | Soccer | MLS | Chase Stadium (temporary) Miami Freedom Park (future) |
2018 | |
| Orlando City SC | Soccer | MLS | Inter&Co Stadium | 2013 | |
| Miami Fusion* | Soccer | MLS | Lockhart Stadium | 1997 | |
| Tampa Bay Mutiny* | Soccer | MLS | Raymond James Stadium | 1996 |
*Team has folded
Spring training
Florida is the traditional home for Major League Baseball spring training, with teams informally organized into the "Grapefruit League." As of 2022, Florida hosts the following major league teams for spring training:
| Club | Location |
|---|---|
| Atlanta Braves | North Port |
| Baltimore Orioles | Sarasota |
| Boston Red Sox | Fort Myers |
| Detroit Tigers | Lakeland |
| Houston Astros | West Palm Beach |
| Miami Marlins | Jupiter |
| Minnesota Twins | Fort Myers |
| New York Mets | Port St. Lucie |
| New York Yankees | Tampa |
| Philadelphia Phillies | Clearwater |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | Bradenton |
| St. Louis Cardinals | Jupiter |
| Tampa Bay Rays | Port Charlotte |
| Toronto Blue Jays | Dunedin |
| Washington Nationals | West Palm Beach |
Individual sports
Golf, tennis and auto racing are popular in Florida.
The Players Championship.
The Professional Golfers Association of America (PGA), the trade association for club professionals which organizes major championships for men and women and also co-organizes the biennial Ryder Cup, is headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens. The PGA Tour, which has been separate from the PGA of America since 1968, has its home base in Ponte Vedra Beach, while the LPGA is headquartered in Daytona Beach. The Players Championship, sometimes referred to as the fifth (men's) major, is held every year near Jacksonville. Additionally, the WGC Championship, Arnold Palmer Invitational, Honda Classic and Valspar Championship are PGA Tour events.
In tennis, the Miami Open is an ATP Tour Masters 1000 and WTA Premier Mandatory event. The Delray Beach International Tennis Championships is an ATP World Tour 250 event.
NASCAR (headquartered in Daytona Beach) begins all three of its major auto racing series in Florida at Daytona International Speedway in February, featuring the Daytona 500, and ends all three Series in November at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Daytona also has the Coke Zero 400 NASCAR race weekend around Independence Day in July. The 24 Hours of Daytona is one of the world's most prestigious endurance auto races. The Grand Prix of St. Petersburg and Grand Prix of Miami have held IndyCar races as well.
Auto racing tracks
- Daytona International Speedway
- Homestead-Miami Speedway
- Citrus County Speedway
- Volusia Speedway Park
- East Bay Raceway Park
- Showtime Speedway
- Bubba Raceway Park
- North Florida Speedway
- Lake City Speedway
- Freedom Factory
- Hendy County Motorsports Park
- Southern Raceway
- Sebring Raceway
- Florida International Rally and Motorsports Park
- Palm Beach International Raceway
- Streets of St. Petersburg
- Walt Disney World Speedway (demolished)
- New Smyrna Speedway
- Five Flags Speedway
- Gainesville Raceway
Minor league and semi-pro teams
| Club | Sport | League | Venue | Championships (Years) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando Guardians (folded with league joint) | American football | XFL | Camping World Stadium | 0 |
| Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp | Baseball | MiLB, International League | 121 Financial Ballpark | 6 (1968, 1996, 2001, 2005, 2009, 2010) |
| Pensacola Blue Wahoos | Baseball | MiLB, Southern League | Pensacola Bayfront Stadium | 0 |
| Bradenton Marauders | Baseball | MiLB, Florida State League | McKechnie Field | 1 (2016) |
| Clearwater Threshers | Baseball | Spectrum Field | 1 (2007) | |
| Daytona Tortugas | Baseball | Jackie Robinson Ballpark | 3 (1995, 2004, 2008) | |
| Dunedin Blue Jays | Baseball | Knology Park | 0 | |
| Fort Myers Mighty Mussels | Baseball | Hammond Stadium | 7 (1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1978, 2018, 2018) | |
| Jupiter Hammerheads | Baseball | Roger Dean Stadium | 0 | |
| Lakeland Flying Tigers | Baseball | Joker Marchant Stadium | 3 (1976, 1977, 1992) | |
| Palm Beach Cardinals | Baseball | Roger Dean Stadium | 1 (2005) | |
| St. Lucie Mets | Baseball | Clover Park | 5 (1988, 1996, 1998, 2003, 2006) | |
| Tampa Tarpons | Baseball | George M. Steinbrenner Field | 5 (1994, 2001, 2004, 2009, 2010) | |
| Osceola Magic | Basketball | NBA G League | Silver Spurs Arena | 1 (2021 as Lakeland Magic) |
| Florida Flight | Basketball | Florida Basketball Association | RDV Sportsplex | 1 (2019) |
| Clermont Crocs | Basketball | American Basketball Association Florida Basketball Association |
RDV Sportsplex | 1 (2021) |
| Jacksonville Giants | Basketball | American Basketball Association | VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena | 3 (2012, 2013, 2016) |
| Miami Midnites | Basketball | American Basketball Association Florida Basketball Association |
David Posnack Jewish Community Center | 3 (2014, 2015, 2016 in the FBA) |
| Florida Everblades | Ice hockey | ECHL | Hertz Arena | 2 (2012, 2022) |
| Jacksonville Icemen | Ice hockey | VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena | 0 | |
| Orlando Solar Bears | Ice hockey | Amway Center | 0 | |
| Pensacola Ice Flyers | Ice hockey | SPHL | Pensacola Civic Center | 3 (2013, 2014, 2016) |
| Jacksonville Sharks | Indoor football | Indoor Football League | VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena | 3 (2011, 2017, 2019, 2023) |
| Orlando Predators | Indoor football | National Arena League | Amway Center | 0 |
| Florida Tropics SC | Indoor soccer | Major Arena Soccer League | RP Funding Center | 0 |
| Jacksonville Axemen | Rugby League | USA Rugby League | Hodges Stadium | 2 (2010, 2012) |
| Lakeland Renegades | Rugby league | USA Rugby League | All Saints Academy | 0 |
| Southwest Florida Copperheads | Rugby league | USA Rugby League | Lehigh Senior High School | 0 |
| Tampa Mayhem | Rugby league | USA Rugby League | Tampa Catholic High School | 0 |
| Orlando Pride | Soccer | National Women's Soccer League | Exploria Stadium | 0 |
| Miami FC | Soccer | USL Championship | Riccardo Silva Stadium | 3 (2018 & 2019 in NPSL), (2019 in NISA) |
| Tampa Bay Rowdies | Soccer | Al Lang Stadium | 2 (1975 and 2012 in NASL) | |
| Tampa Bay Sun | Soccer | USL Super League | Blake High School | 0 |
| Inter Miami CF II | Soccer | MLS Next Pro | Chase Stadium | 0 |
| Club de Lyon | Soccer | National Independent Soccer Association | Daytona Stadium | 0 |
| Beaches FC | Soccer | National Premier Soccer League | 0 | |
| Central Florida Panthers SC | Soccer | National Premier Soccer League | Showalter Field | 0 |
| Jacksonville Armada FC | Soccer | National Premier Soccer League | Hodges Stadium | 0 |
| Miami United FC | Soccer | National Premier Soccer League | 0 | |
| Naples United FC | Soccer | National Premier Soccer League | 0 | |
| Storm FC | Soccer | National Premier Soccer League | 0 | |
| IMG Academy Bradenton | Soccer | USL League Two | 0 | |
| Lakeland Tropics | Soccer | USL League Two | Bryant Stadium | 0 |
| FC Miami City | Soccer | USL League Two | 0 | |
| North County United | Soccer | USL League Two | 0 | |
| Next Academy Palm Beach | Soccer | USL League Two | 0 | |
| SIMA Águilas | Soccer | USL League Two | 0 | |
| The Villages SC | Soccer | USL League Two | 0 | |
| Weston FC | Soccer | USL League Two | 0 | |
| Boca Raton FC | Soccer | United Premier Soccer League | Lynn University | 1 (2015 in APSL) |
| Fort Lauderdale Herd BC | Basketball | National Basketball League - US | Joseph C. Carter Center | 0 |
College sports
| School | Nickname | City | Affiliation | Conference | National Championships |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASA College Miami | Silver Storm | Miami | NJCAA DI | Southern Conference | |
| Ave Maria University | Gyrenes | Ave Maria | NAIA | The Sun Conference | |
| Barry University | Buccaneers | Miami Shores | NCAA | Sunshine State Conference | |
| Bethune–Cookman University | Wildcats | Daytona Beach | NCAA DI | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 0 |
| Broward College | Seahawks | Davie | NJCAA DI | Southern Conference | |
| Chipola College | Indians | Marianna | NJCAA DI | Panhandle Conference | |
| Clearwater Christian College | Cougars | Clearwater | NCCAA DII | 17 | |
| College of Central Florida | Patriots | Ocala | NJCAA DI | Mid-Florida Conference | |
| Daytona State College | Falcons | Daytona Beach | NJCAA DI | Mid-Florida Conference | |
| Eastern Florida State College | Titans | Melbourne | NJCAA DI | Southern Conference | |
| Eckerd College | Tritons | Saint Petersburg | NCAA DII | Sunshine State Conference | |
| Edward Waters University | Tigers | Jacksonville | NCAA DII | Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference | |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University | Eagles | Daytona Beach | NCAA DII | Sunshine State Conference | 19 |
| Florida International University (FIU) | Panthers | Miami | NCAA DI | Conference USA | 4 |
| Flagler College | Saints | Saint Augustine | NCAA DII | Peach Belt Conference | |
| University of Florida | Gators | Gainesville | NCAA DI | Southeastern Conference | 39 |
| Florida A&M University | Rattlers | Tallahassee | NCAA DI | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 25 |
| Florida Atlantic University | Owls | Boca Raton | NCAA DI | Conference USA (American Athletic Conference in July 2023) |
2 |
| Florida College | Falcons | Temple Terrace | NAIA USCAA DI |
Southern States Athletic Conference | 23 |
| Florida Gulf Coast University | Eagles | Fort Myers | NCAA DI | ASUN Conference | 0 |
| Florida Memorial University | Lions | Miami Gardens | NAIA | The Sun Conference | |
| Florida National University | Conquistadors | Hialeah | USCAA DI | ||
| Florida Southern College | Moccasins | Lakeland | NCAA DII | Sunshine State Conference | 30 |
| Florida SouthWestern State College | Buccaneers | Fort Myers | NJCAA DI | Southern Conference | |
| Florida State University | Seminoles | Tallahassee | NCAA DI | Atlantic Coast Conference | 15 |
| Florida State College at Jacksonville | Bluewave | Jacksonville | NJCAA DI | Mid-Florida Conference | |
| Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tach) | Panthers | Melbourne | NCAA DII | Sunshine State Conference | 2 |
| Gulf Coast State College | Commodores | Panama City | NJCAA DI | Panhandle Conference | 4 |
| Hillsborough Community College | Hawks | Tampa | NJCAA DI | Suncoast Conference | |
| Indian River State College | Pioneers | Fort Pierce | NJCAA DI | Southern Conference | |
| Jacksonville University | Dolphins | Jacksonville | NCAA DI | ASUN Conference | 0 |
| Johnson & Wales University | Wildcats | North Miami | NAIA | The Sun Conference | |
| Johnson University Florida | Suns | Kissimmee | NCCAA DII | ||
| Keiser University | Seahawks | West Palm Beach | NAIA | The Sun Conference | |
| Lake-Sumter State College | Lakehawks | Leesburg | NJCAA DI | Mid-Florida Conference | |
| Lynn University | Fighting Knights | Boca Raton | NCAA DII | Sunshine State Conference | 22 |
| University of Miami | Hurricanes | Coral Gables | NCAA DI | Atlantic Coast Conference | 21 |
| Miami Dade College | Sharks | Miami | NJCAA DI | Southern Conference | |
| University of North Florida | Ospreys | Jacksonville | NCAA DI | ASUN Conference | 4 |
| Northwest Florida State College | Raiders | Niceville | NJCAA DI | Panhandle Conference | |
| Nova Southeastern University | Sharks | Fort Lauderdale | NCAA DII | Sunshine State Conference | 11 |
| Palm Beach Atlantic University | Sailfish | West Palm Beach | NCAA DII, NCCAA DI |
Independent | 0 |
| Palm Beach State College | Panthers | Lake Worth | NJCAA DI | Southern Conference | |
| Pasco–Hernando State College | Conquistadors | New Port Richey | NJCAA DII | ||
| Pensacola Christian College | Eagles | Pensacola | NCCAA DII | ||
| Pensacola State College | Pirates | Pensacola | NJCAA DI | Panhandle Conference | |
| Polk State College | Eagles | Winter Haven | NJCAA DI | Suncoast Conference | |
| Rollins College | Tars | Winter Park | NCAA DII | Sunshine State Conference | 22 |
| St. Johns River State College | Vikings | Palatka | NJCAA DI | Mid-Florida Conference | |
| Saint Leo University | Lions | St. Leo | NCAA DII | Sunshine State Conference | 0 |
| St. Petersburg College | Titans | St. Petersburg | NJCAA DI | Suncoast Conference | |
| Saint Thomas University | Bobcats | Miami Gardens | NAIA | The Sun Conference | |
| Santa Fe College | Saints | Gainesville | NJCAA DI | Mid-Florida Conference | |
| Seminole State College of Florida | Raiders | Sanford | NJCAA DI | Mid-Florida Conference | |
| University of South Florida | Bulls | Tampa | NCAA DI | American Athletic Conference | 6 |
| South Florida State College | Panthers | Avon Park | NJCAA DI | Suncoast Conference | |
| Southeastern University | Fire | Lakeland | NAIA, NCCAA DI |
The Sun Conference | 4 |
| State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota | Manatees | Bradenton | NJCAA DI | Suncoast Conference | 13 |
| Stetson University | Hatters | DeLand | NCAA DI | ASUN Conference | 0 |
| Tallahassee Community College | Eagles | Tallahassee | NJCAA DI | Panhandle Conference | |
| University of Tampa | Spartans | Tampa | NCAA DII | Sunshine State Conference | 18 |
| Trinity Baptist College | Eagles | Jacksonville | NCCAA DII | ||
| Trinity College (Florida) | Tigers | New Port Richey | NCCAA DII | ||
| University of Central Florida (UCF) | Knights | Orlando | NCAA DI | American Athletic Conference (Big 12 Conference in July 2023) |
2 |
| Warner University | Royals | Lake Wales | NAIA, NCCAA DI |
The Sun Conference | |
| Webber International University | Warriors | Babson Park | NAIA | The Sun Conference | 0 |
| University of West Florida | Argonauts | Pensacola | NCAA DII | Gulf South Conference | 8 |
See also
References
- College Sports Scholarships. Accessed November 30, 2015.
- "Major League Soccer names Orlando City SC as 21st franchise, set for 2015 debut", MLSsoccer.com, November 19, 2013.