The 2026 Florida Python Challenge will begin on Friday, July 10, giving participants 10 days to remove invasive Burmese pythons from the Everglades while competing for $25,000 in prizes.
The annual python removal competition starts at 12:01 a.m. on July 10 and ends at 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 19. The event is hosted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the South Florida Water Management District.
This year’s challenge includes an Ultimate Grand Prize of $10,000 for the registered participant who removes the most pythons. Competitors can also win additional cash prizes for the most and longest pythons removed in three categories: novice, professional and military.
A highlight of this year’s event is the return of Everglades National Park as a partner and one of eight official Florida Python Challenge competition locations.
FWC officials said the competition is designed to raise awareness about invasive species while helping protect the Everglades ecosystem and the native wildlife that live there.
The Everglades is home to a variety of rare and unique wildlife, including native birds, mammals, fish and reptiles. However, nonnative reptiles such as the Burmese python pose a significant threat to native species.
Burmese pythons are found primarily in and around the Everglades ecosystem in South Florida, where they prey on birds, mammals and other reptiles. Female Burmese pythons can lay 50 to more than 100 eggs at a time.
Last year, participants in the 2025 Florida Python Challenge removed a competition-record 294 invasive Burmese pythons from the Everglades. Since the challenge began, participants have removed a total of 1,406 pythons through the competition.
The 2025 event drew 934 registered participants from 30 states and Canada.
Since 2000, more than 27,000 Burmese pythons have been reported to the FWC as removed from Florida’s environment.
People interested in taking part in the 2026 Florida Python Challenge must complete the required online training at FLPythonChallenge.org. The website also includes educational information about Burmese pythons, the Everglades ecosystem, additional training opportunities and resources for planning a trip to South Florida for the event.
FWC officials said Floridians can also help remove invasive pythons throughout the year. Burmese pythons may be humanely killed on private land at any time with landowner permission, and no permit or hunting license is required. Year-round python removal opportunities are also available on 32 Commission-managed lands.
More information about Burmese pythons is available at MyFWC.com/Python.
