Perhaps the most underrated aspect of a tropical getaway to the Tampa Bay Area is our diverse professional and college sports scene. Tampa and St Petersburg, collectively, are the homes to three professional sports teams: the Buccaneers (NFL), Lightning (NHL), and Rays (MLB). All three franchises have seen varied success, including a 2003 Super Bowl victory for the Buccaneers and 2004 Stanley Cup run by the Lightning. The Rays, meanwhile, made a run to the World Series in 2008, only to be defeated by Cole Hamels and the Philadelphia Phillies. With football officially underway and hockey on the horizon, the St Pete Beach area will welcome thousands of Tampa Bay sports fans (or casual fans) to our scenic gulf-front communities over the coming months. To find an inexpensive beachfront property that’s only a short drive from a Tampa Bay sports complex, please visit Travel Resort Services’ website.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
League: National Football League (NFL), NFC South
Location: Tampa, FL
Stadium: Raymond James Stadium (1998)
Brief history: As mentioned earlier, the Buccaneers won the 2003 Super Bowl on the backs of former Head Coach Jon Gruden and his vaunted defense, led by Warren Sapp, Derrick Brooks, Dexter Jackson, and John Lynch. The Buccaneers share their home with the USF Bulls, a local Division I college program. The “Bucs” remain one of the top tier Tampa Bay sports teams in terms of attendance and popularity. Current buccaneers Jameis Winston, Mike Evans, and Lavonte David give Tampa sports fans a little hope heading into yet another highly-anticipated football season.
Tampa Bay Lightning
League: National Hockey League (NHL), Eastern Conference, Atlantic Division
Location: Tampa, FL
Stadium: Amalie Arena (1996)
Brief history: Despite losing in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs last season, the Tampa Bay Lightning made history in 2019 as the team tied the all-time record for wins (62). Current superstars Nikita Kucherov, Steven Stamkos, Brayden Point, and Victor Hedman are aiming to take that regular-season success and turn it into postseason wins. While Amelia Arena doesn’t seat quite as many Tampa Bay sports fans as the other nearby venues, the rink is always packed to the rafters on gameday.
Tampa Bay Rays
League: Major League Baseball (MLB), American League East
Location: St Petersburg, FL
Stadium: Tropicana Field (1990)
Brief history: One of the most overlooked Tampa Bay pro sports teams is the Rays (formerly known as the Devil Rays). Despite owning the lowest payroll in the majors this season, the Rays are yet again a powerhouse in the AL East. Time and time again, the Rays swim under the radar en route to the postseason. The Rays, unlike all other Tampa sports teams, struggle with attendance, which in turn creates inexpensive opportunities for casual fans aiming to catch a game without breaking the bank. During February and March, thousands of fans travel down to the St Pete Beach area to watch Spring Training as the Yankees, Blue Jays, Phillies, Pirates, and Orioles are all within an hour of our tropical haven.
Florida Gulf Coast Resorts
Travel Resort Services has the area’s largest collection of oceanfront vacation rentals, all of which are a short drive from these three Tampa pro sports teams. You’ll also be within walking distance from top-rated restaurants, award-winning breweries, ice cream shops, and seemingly endless water activities. Make sure to browse through the many things to do in St Pete Beach, Florida, by visiting our fun blog page. To book a well-deserved tropical escape to sunny Florida, please give us a call today at 1-800-237-6586.