Sports in Sarasota: A Local Guide to Teams, Clubs, and Year-Round Action

Sports in Sarasota: A Local’s Guide to Teams, Clubs and Year-Round Action

Sarasota may be famous for sugar-white beaches and the arts, but its sports scene deserves equal attention. From polo and world-class rowing to spring training baseball, professional soccer, golf, cycling and easy road trips to Tampa Bay games, here is where locals go to watch, play and connect.


When people picture Sarasota, they usually think of Gulf beaches, boating, exceptional restaurants and a thriving arts scene. All of that is true—but it is only part of the story.

Sarasota and the surrounding Gulf Coast also offer an impressive mix of professional sports, elite training facilities, spectator events and welcoming recreational clubs. You can spend a Sunday afternoon watching polo, see Major League Baseball players up close during spring training, cheer for Sarasota’s own professional soccer team, row on a championship course or meet new friends through a local cycling, running or rugby club.

For anyone considering a move to Sarasota, Venice, North Port, Lakewood Ranch or the surrounding area, the variety is one more reason the region is such an appealing place to call home.

Sarasota Polo Club: A Sunday Tradition in Lakewood Ranch

The Sarasota Polo Club brings an experience to the area that few Florida communities can offer. Located in Lakewood Ranch, the club is known for spirited Sunday matches, themed events, tailgating, food and drinks, halftime entertainment and the traditional stomping of the divots.

Polo is fast, athletic and surprisingly easy to enjoy even if you have never attended a match. The setting can be as relaxed or as festive as you want it to be: bring chairs and a picnic for a casual afternoon, reserve preferred seating or turn the day into a stylish social occasion with friends.

The upcoming 2027 season is scheduled to run from December 20, 2026, through April 15, 2027. Sunday gates open at 10 a.m. and matches begin at 1 p.m.; select Thursday sunset matches are also planned later in the season. Because schedules and ticket options can change, check the club’s current season information before visiting.

Rowing at Nathan Benderson Park and Sarasota Crew

Nathan Benderson Park is one of the region’s most distinctive sports destinations. Its 2,000-meter sprint course has hosted major rowing competitions and draws athletes from around the country and the world. The park is also a beautiful everyday recreation spot, with a path around the lake for walking, running and cycling.

Rowing is only part of the activity. Depending on the season and calendar, visitors may find dragon boating, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, fitness programs, camps, regattas and community events. Spectators can experience the excitement of side-by-side racing, while beginners have opportunities to get onto the water themselves.

Sarasota Crew has developed one of the country’s largest rowing programs since its founding in 2002. It offers youth rowing, camps and clinics, competitive opportunities and adult masters rowing. Its presence gives local families access to a sport that builds strength, discipline and teamwork—and has even helped produce athletes who compete at the highest levels.

Together, Sarasota Crew and Nathan Benderson Park make rowing part of the area’s identity rather than a once-a-year attraction.

Three Major League Baseball Teams for Spring Training

One of the best perks of living on Florida’s Gulf Coast is having three Grapefruit League ballparks close to home. Spring training typically brings warm afternoons, smaller stadiums and a more relaxed atmosphere than the regular season. It is also a wonderful way to entertain visiting family, clients or friends.

Baltimore Orioles in Sarasota

The Baltimore Orioles train at Ed Smith Stadium, just minutes from downtown Sarasota. The stadium’s intimate design, shaded areas and classic ballpark atmosphere make it a local favorite. Fans can often see established stars and promising young players from much closer than they would at a regular-season game.

Pittsburgh Pirates in Bradenton

The Pittsburgh Pirates play at historic LECOM Park in Bradenton. Built in 1923 and home to Pirates spring training since 1969, the ballpark has old-Florida character and a wonderful sense of baseball history. The Pirates also train at Pirate City, their nearby practice complex.

Atlanta Braves in North Port

The Atlanta Braves call CoolToday Park in North Port their spring home. Opened in 2019, the stadium anchors the growing Wellen Park area and offers a modern game-day experience. The facility also hosts Florida Complex League baseball and other events beyond the main spring training schedule.

Having Sarasota, Bradenton and North Port ballparks within one region means fans can follow multiple teams and build an entire spring around baseball.

Sarasota Paradise: Professional Soccer Comes to the Suncoast

One of the most exciting additions to the local sports landscape is Sarasota Paradise, which began its first fully professional season in USL League One in 2026. The club plays at Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch and represents a major step forward for Sarasota sports.

The March-through-fall schedule gives residents another hometown team to support well beyond baseball’s spring training season. The atmosphere is energetic and family-friendly, and the club’s move into the professional ranks gives young area soccer players something especially valuable: a local team they can watch, follow and dream about joining.

Premier Sports Campus is itself worth knowing. Its 22 multipurpose fields can accommodate soccer, lacrosse, rugby, field hockey and Australian football, and the complex hosts tournaments, camps and major youth sporting events throughout the year.

Tampa Bay Professional Sports: An Easy Big-Game Getaway

Sarasota residents can enjoy a relaxed Gulf Coast lifestyle without giving up access to major professional sports. Tampa and St. Petersburg are close enough for a day trip or a game-night getaway, although travel time varies considerably with traffic.

Tampa Bay Rays

Baseball fans can follow the Tampa Bay Rays in St. Petersburg. After playing the 2025 season in Tampa while hurricane repairs were completed, the Rays returned to Tropicana Field in 2026. Before heading north, always confirm the current venue and game information directly with the team.

Tampa Bay Lightning

The NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning—affectionately known as the Bolts—play in downtown Tampa at Benchmark International Arena, the venue formerly known as AMALIE Arena. Hockey games deliver one of the region’s most electric spectator experiences, and the arena’s location makes it easy to combine a game with dinner or a weekend in Tampa.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Football season belongs to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. A Bucs game offers the full NFL experience, from tailgating and the stadium’s famous pirate ship to the energy of a packed Sunday crowd.

For many Sarasota-area residents, having MLB, NHL and NFL teams within reach is the best of both worlds: big-league entertainment without having to live in the middle of a major metropolitan area.

Ice Skating and Hockey in Ellenton

Florida may not be the first place that comes to mind for ice sports, which is exactly why the Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex is such a fun surprise. Located near the Ellenton outlet area, the complex features two NHL-size ice rinks as well as an indoor roller and ball-hockey rink.

Programs include public skating, learn-to-skate classes, figure skating, youth and adult hockey, skate-and-shoot sessions and private instruction. It is a cool indoor option during the hottest months and an easy way for northern transplants to continue a favorite sport.

Golf for Every Kind of Player

Golf is woven into life along the Gulf Coast. Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Venice, North Port and nearby communities offer a broad selection of public, semi-private, resort and private courses. Some are designed for serious championship play; others are ideal for a friendly morning round followed by lunch at the clubhouse.

Golf also plays an important role in real estate here. Many communities are built around courses and club amenities, but membership structures vary. Some neighborhoods include mandatory golf or social memberships, some make membership optional, and others sit near a course without being tied to it. Buyers should understand initiation fees, annual dues, waitlists and membership requirements before choosing a golf-course home.

For a casual outing, PopStroke Sarasota near University Town Center offers two 18-hole putting courses, dining and family-friendly entertainment. It is a playful option for mixed-age groups and friends who may not be ready for a full round.

Cycling: Clubs, Group Rides and the Legacy Trail

Cycling is both recreation and community in Sarasota. The nonprofit Sarasota Manatee Bicycle Club welcomes riders interested in fitness, recreation, sport and transportation, with organized rides suited to different distances and ability levels. Competitive riders can also explore the Sarasota Cycling Club and its focus on athlete development.

The region’s signature ride is The Legacy Trail, a paved corridor connecting the Sarasota area south toward Venice, with trailheads, rest areas and links to nearby parks and neighborhoods. It is popular with cyclists, runners and walkers, so courtesy and awareness matter—especially during busy morning hours.

Whether you prefer a social group ride, a longer fitness route or an easy family outing, the trail helps make active transportation part of everyday life.

Running and Walking Clubs

Sarasota’s running community offers everything from structured training to relaxed social 5Ks.

The Manasota Track Club, founded in 1975, serves runners throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties. It is a helpful starting point for people looking for races, training partners and a more established club environment.

For a casual midweek event, the 99 Bottles Run Club hosts a welcoming downtown 5K for runners, joggers and walkers. The route highlights the bayfront and downtown, and the social atmosphere makes it an easy way for newcomers to meet people. Fleet Feet Sarasota also offers group fun runs and training opportunities.

One practical Florida tip: many local runners start early, carry water and use sun protection. Summer heat and humidity deserve respect, even for experienced athletes.

Rugby, Racquet Sports and More Ways to Play

Yes, Sarasota has rugby. The Sarasota Rugby Club, also known as the Sarasota Surge, fields a men’s team and youth academy and welcomes prospective players and spectators. The club’s beach-rugby culture is especially fitting for the area, including Siesta Key activities and events.

Tennis and pickleball are equally at home here. Sarasota County has an extensive mix of public courts, private clubs and community facilities. Popular public options can be found at locations such as Pompano Trailhead, Fruitville Park, Gillespie Park, Siesta Beach and Englewood Sports Complex. Court configurations and reservation policies change, so check the facility before arriving.

The broader region also offers youth baseball and softball, soccer, lacrosse, basketball, disc golf, swimming, fishing tournaments, sailing, beach volleyball, kayaking and paddle sports. In Bradenton, IMG Academy attracts elite student-athletes and hosts competitions in sports including tennis, soccer, football, basketball, track and field, and more.

Why Sarasota Works So Well for Sports Lovers

What makes Sarasota’s sports scene special is not one stadium or one team. It is the range.

You can be a spectator one weekend and a participant the next. You can watch future baseball stars in an intimate spring training park, learn to row, join a social run, take your children to a professional soccer match or plan a Tampa Bay game night. The climate supports year-round activity, and the mix of clubs and venues makes it easier for newcomers to build a social circle around something they already enjoy.

That variety is also a useful way to think about where to live. A cyclist may value quick access to the Legacy Trail. A rowing family may prioritize proximity to Nathan Benderson Park or Sarasota Crew. A Braves fan may love North Port or Wellen Park, while a polo or soccer enthusiast may gravitate toward Lakewood Ranch.

Sarasota is rightfully celebrated for its beaches and culture—but for sports fans and active residents, it offers much more than a beautiful backdrop. It offers a lifestyle you can take part in.

Are you considering a move to Sarasota, Venice, North Port, Port Charlotte or the surrounding Gulf Coast? I would be happy to help you compare communities based on the lifestyle that matters most to you—from golf and boating to trails, sports, arts and easy access to your favorite teams