I love how close we are in St. Petersburg to Tropicana field and the Tampa Bay Rays.
—Abigail
The Bulls’ turf is ideal for outdoor sports that range from golf to deep-sea fishing, but it’s more than just a prime place to work on your game. Our professional sports teams are top performers and cheering them on is a favorite Tampa Bay pastime. We’ve got it all: pro hockey and football in Tampa, pro soccer and baseball in St. Petersburg and, during Spring Training, 15 pro teams competing in the Gulf Coast Grapefruit League at ballfields from Sarasota to Tampa and beyond — plus plenty of college action from USF’s NCAA Division I sports.
Pick Your Team
The Tampa Bay Lightning
In Tampa Bay, we bleed Lightning blue. Come watch our Stanley Cup champions at Amalie Arena, an electrifying stadium worthy of its players: During NHL games, real lightning from Tesla coils zaps overhead every time our beloved team scores, but it’s the legions of fans who truly get to Be the Thunder!
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Named for our local pirate lore, the Bucs boast their own pirate ship in the end-zone of Raymond James Stadium, firing confetti after each home team field goal or touchdown. Cheer on our Super Bowl champions (2003 and 2021) and take a tour of the pirate ship when the field is empty.
The Tampa Bay Rays
St. Pete’s professional baseball team won the American League pennant in 2020 and has advanced to the World Series twice. You can watch them at their home stadium, Tropicana Field, then head to a local sports bar on Central Avenue for post-game celebrations with fellow fans.
The Tampa Bay Rowdies
Fans of soccer (or Ted Lasso) can’t miss a Rowdies game at Al Lang Stadium on St. Petersburg’s beautiful waterfront. Competing in the USL championship league, the professional soccer franchise is known for its catchy “Kick in the Grass” song and Soccer Bowl Championships.
USF Athletic Teams
Practice your “Go Bulls” chant now! USF students get free admission to our NCAA Division I athletics events. We’ve claimed twenty-eight conference titles since joining the American Athletic Conference in 2013, including six conference championship trophies claimed in 2020-21.
Spring Training
Our gorgeous weather draws athletes as well as tourists. Come watch your favorite national teams compete in the Grapefruit League: Tampa hosts the New York Yankees; Sarasota the Baltimore Orioles and Clearwater the Philadelphia Phillies.
Take it From the Bulls
I love attending the Tampa Bay Lightning games in Amalie Arena. It’s always nice when the Rangers are in town and I get to see my two homes play.
—Victoria
Play in the Sun
Whatever your sport, with year-round sunshine, Tampa Bay offers plenty of opportunities for you to hone your skills. Favorites include:
- Boating
- Canoeing
- Deep-sea fishing
- Diving
- Golfing
- Kayaking
- Paddle boarding
- Parasailing
- Pickleball
- Rollerblading
- Roller derby
- Sand volleyball
- Shuffleboard
- Snorkeling
- Tennis
Mark Your Calendar
February: The Grand Prix
Who doesn’t love the idea of turning a city into a racetrack? The Firestone Grand Prix does just that to downtown St. Petersburg. Watch the Indy cars zoom past, or come for the festival on the waterfront street course. Car lovers will appreciate the driver autograph sessions and the Speed Zone! The Grand Prix is usually held in the spring.
