Florida’s reputation is one of America’s biggest leisure destinations, attracting millions of visitors with its beaches, theme parks, and warm weather. However, new research suggests the Sunshine State is entering a new era, one where sport is becoming a major reason for fans to travel.
A new survey by ows 57% of respondents say this year’s major sporting events in Florida make the state more appealing as a sports destination.
The findings suggest major events are not just bringing fans to Florida for individual games and tournaments; they are changing how people perceive the state as a destination for live sport.
According to the survey, 47% of sports fans have traveled out of state specifically for a sporting event.
34% of fans would choose Florida for a sports-related trip, ranking the state second nationally behind New York (37%).
This creates a high-value tourism audience, with fans willing to spend an average of $1,048.04 per person on sports trips.
This change comes during a period when Florida has hosted an increasingly high-profile mix of sporting events and competitions. The FIFA World Cup 2026, which brought international soccer audiences to Miami, along with events such as the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix and the Miami Open tennis tournament, has helped raise the state’s profile among sports fans globally.
Florida is particularly well positioned to benefit from this spending power, with 53% of fans saying they would spend more on a sports-related trip to Florida than on a typical vacation, including 22% who would spend significantly more.
