Recurring Elite Tournaments & Championships

Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) – Pro Challenger Series
The VCB Sports Division hosts the PPA for one of the PPA’s twenty‑five Challenger Series tour stops. More than 520 high‑level amateurs—including several athletes making their professional debut—traveled to compete, setting a new participation record for this tour stop. Sixty percent of competitors came from outside Florida, with twelve athletes traveling internationally from Canada, Australia, and Brazil.

National Pickleball – NP Punta Gorda Winter Classic
National Pickleball’s Punta Gorda Winter Classic attracted amateur athletes from across the country. With the organization’s particularly strong presence in California, many players traveled in for the full week of competition.  

US Senior Pickleball – Southeast Regional Championship
This tournament welcomed senior athletes aged 55 and older. As a regional championship and pathway to the national championship in Daytona Beach, the event drew top competitors from across the country.

All Florida Pro Pickleball – AFPL Professional Team League
The Pickleplex of Punta Gorda will be hosting the AFPL League play. Professional pickleball teams from Jacksonville to Maimi will travel in to compete in league standings.

World Pickleball Tour – Punta Gorda Qualifier
The Pickleplex was home to one of 25 Florida tournament stops for top-level amateur athletes. This “challenger” tournament provided the top winners free access to compete in the 2026 WPT Amateur Championship.

Amateur Pickleball Association – Florida Amateur Open
This event was open to all amateur pickleball players at every level. It is one of the few across the nation that does not offer money or a professional division. This provides an opportunity for beginners to play against other beginners while learning each facet of the game.

Global World Pickleball – Florida State Championship
This event featured a $100,000 prize purse for the pro divisions attracting over 450 participants including some of the top men’s and women’s competitors. The tournament is broadcast on CBS Sports.

American Pickleball – Loan w/ Rick.com Championship
Over 600 professional and amateur athletes of all ages participated in this end of year championship with athletes traveling in from throughout the country and some as far as Canada and Washington State.  

Level Up Pickleball Camp – Punta Gorda Camp
Three times a year the Punta Gorda PicklePlex hosts over 65 professional and amateur athletes for a sanctioned USA Pickleball Camp. The camp is hosted by top professionals that teach the skills needed to get to the professional level and new strategies being utilized by the top-level players.   

Suncoast Pickleball – High Impact Boot Camp
This weeklong boot camp brought athletes to the destination for expert training led by five professionals throughout their weeklong stay. Participants trained in both morning and afternoon sessions while also immersing themselves in the local community during their downtime.

Florida College System Athletic Association (FCSAA):

• Florida Division I Baseball Championship
  The top eight qualifying teams for this 28-school division traveled from throughout Florida to compete at Charlotte Sports Park, spring training facility for the Tampa Bay Rays. This double elimination tournament crowned the Florida State Champions, and the winner traveled on to the FCSAA World Series.
• Florida Division II Baseball Championships
  The top eight qualifying teams for this 28-school division traveled from throughout Florida to compete at Charlotte Sports Park, spring training facility for the Tampa Bay Rays. This double elimination tournament crowned the Florida State Champions, and the winner traveled on to the FCSAA World Series.  

DS Sports – Snowbird Baseball Classic/Prospect Wire Baseball Nextgen Showcase
2026 was the 17^th annual Snowbird Baseball Classic attracting NCAA Division I and Division II college baseball teams from across the country playing conference games. They also feature a Prospect Wire Baseball Florida State Showcase for youth and high school divisions.  

• National Championship
  NCAA regulation fields at Centennial Park and Charlotte Sports Park, home to the Tampa Bay Rays Spring Training, hosted athletes and their families that traveled in from throughout Florida, Tennessee, New York and Canada. College coaches and MLB scouts were on hand speaking to coaches about recruiting opportunities.
• Florida State Championship
  Charlotte County Sports Park, home of the Tampa Bay Rays Spring Training, is home to Prospect Wire Basball State Championship. Over 1500 athletes take to the fields and stadium to crown the next State Champion.  
• Gulf Coast Invitational
  This invitational tournament attracted top teams from throughout Florida and a New York team to compete in their respective 14-year-old, 16-year-old, and 18-year-old divisions. Each game was live streamed, while their scouting staff posted live stats and plays for college coaches viewing.

Florida Pre Baseball Report – Regional Showcase
Charlotte Sports Park, home to the Tampa Bay Rays Spring Training, is home to PBR’s High School Showcase. This event provides top high school athletes with the chance to show off their skills in front of college and professional scouts. The event will also be live streamed for scouts not in attendance and recorded for future statistical analyzing.   

United States Specialty Sport Association (USSSA) – Super National Invitational Championship
The United States Specialty Sports Association State Super NIT Baseball Championship maximized the use of all local baseball complexes, including the conversion of softball fields to accommodate play. The tournament welcomed more than 120 teams from across Florida, all competing for national championship titles within their respective age groups and divisions.

NCAA College Swim and Dive Team – College Winter Training
Many NCAA swimming and diving teams travel to the Punta Gorda area in December and January for 7–10-day winter training camps. During this time, teams bring their top athletes for intensive training, skill development, and friendly competition. Coaches emphasize the importance of providing a safe and supportive environment where athletes can both train and recharge. These camps offer athletes a valuable opportunity to unwind over winter break while continuing to build their skills and overall performance.

Destination Athletes – Centennial Park Invitational
Destination Athletes host their yearly Florida Swimming–sanctioned event that attracts . more than 600 swimmers. Clubs from across the country travel to participate during their Spring Break, with many families taking advantage of the event as an opportunity to extend their stay for a family vacation

US Fastpitch Association:

• March Madness Championship
  USFA championship maximizes use of the Carmalita Softball Complex with 35 teams in attendance. Highly competitive 12U and 14U teams traveled from Central and South Florida to participate.
• Punta Gorda Qualifier
  This high-level fastpitch softball qualifier features top 12U and 14U teams competing for an opportunity to advance to their state championship in Panama City Beach. Only two teams from each age group earn a qualifying spot, making for an exceptionally competitive tournament.

USA Softball Florida – End of Summer Championship
USA Softball hosts top qualifying girls’ teams, ages 10–16, in a highly competitive event. With only two teams from each age group earning a qualifying spot, the tournament delivers an exceptional level of play.

Senior Softball USA – Fifty's Plus Regional Qualifying Tournament
Carmalita Park Softball Complex serves as the host venue for this 50+ tournament, which crowns the top team in the Southwest region. The event attracts many highly competitive teams traveling from across the country.

USSSA Fastpitch Softball – West Florida Championship
This annual tournament attracts teams from both the east and west coasts of Florida, as well as highly competitive programs from across the country. The event consistently features athletes in the 10U–16U divisions, along with high school competitors.

Florida Half Century Softball - 50’s Duel Qualifying Tournament
Over 450 athletes and their families descend on Port Charlotte during the weekend to compete with teams traveling throughout North and central Florida. Top four teams in each age bracket will qualify for Florida State National Tournament.

ProAM50 Adult Softball – SWFL Invitational
This ProAm tournament invites elite teams from across Florida to participate and secure points towards their national championship.

US Amateur Basketball:

• Charlotte Shootout
  Various gymnasiums throughout the county were used to host top amateur youth teams that travel in from north and central Florida. Teams fought to secure a spot in the national championship.
• SWFL Hoops Showcase
  Various gymnasiums were home to this second elite high school showcase. It allowed top athletes from our region and state to show off their talents in front of college recruiters and coaches. Grades nine through twelve participated in hopes to receive a scholarship offer or have discussions with a college interested in their performance and skills.
• Florida State High School Championship
  Elite High School level teams from 9^th to 12^th grade traveled in from central and south Florida to participate. Top winning teams in their respective age bracket moved on to represent Florida in US Amateur’s National Championship.

United States Soccer Association – El Classico Junior Tournament 
This U9 through U10 soccer tournament was open to all youth soccer federations throughout Florida. This tournament provided teams points towards their Florida rankings competing for a spot in the National Championship.

United Soccer Alliance – Championship Cup
Charlotte County Soccer Federation was the host club assisting United Soccer Association in executing this 40-club championship. Top level athletes between the age of 11-19 traveled in throughout region C to participate.

Florida Youth Soccer Association:

• Region C Commissioners Cup
  Charlotte County Soccer Federation served as the host club in partnership with United Soccer Association to execute the Region C Commissioners Cup. Matches were played across our local soccer fields, with top-level athletes, ages 10–18, and their clubs from Central Florida and the Tampa Bay region, further elevating the competitive profile of the tournament.
• U12 Festival
  Charlotte Soccer Federation hosted the Florida Youth Soccer Association U12 Soccer Festival. Boys and girls who are twelve and under competed for rankings in the FYSA Florida State Series.

Warrior Soccer Tour – Charlotte Soccer Federation Cup Qualifier
Charlotte Soccer Federation hosted a 3 versus 3, 5 versus 5, and 7 versus 7 Warrior Soccer Tournament. They provided clubs from around the state a four-game guarantee and the top 32 teams per division qualified for the Florida Nationals.

American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) – Punta Gorda Englewood Beach Junior Championship
The Visitors Bureau sports division was awarded the bid to host a AJGA Junior Championship that is hosted at Aileron Golf Club, owned by Sunseeker Resorts. 156 top youth amateurs competed in this tour vying to make the final cut down to the 78-participant field. The AJGA rankings are the first place that colleges look at for recruiting purposes. Past participants include top tour pros such as Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and Scottie Scheffler, to name a few.

Junior Golf Tour Powered by Under Armour – Memorial Day Championship
Aileron Golf Club welcomed boys and girls ages 6–18 to compete in a team environment as part of the nationally recognized Under Armour Junior Tour, which hosts over 3,500 youth golfers nationwide. Top performers from the league's spring season carried that momentum into the Memorial Day Championship to compete. 

Florida Outdoor Education Foundation:

• Legends Invitational Fishing Tournament
  Top selected anglers traveled in from throughout Florida and Georgia to participate in this two-day pairing tournament. Anglers had the opportunity to win in three sperate classes based upon specie type, total weight and total length
• Flats Master Series II
  Four Points by Sheraton was home to the second of three winter series fishing tournaments. Three anglers per boat took to the Harbor to catch the largest fish in each category. The tournament is structured as a catch, photo measure and release.

Horizon Gymnastics – Princess Classic Invitational
This American Athletic Union (AAU) and USA Gymnastics–sanctioned invitational featured all disciplines for girls ages 3–18. This event serves as a key opportunity to secure a spot in the state championship in Orlando.

Horizon/AAU Gymnastics – Riverfront Classic
Horizon gymnastics will host this Amateur Athletic Union event at Charlotte Harbor Event Center’s main hall. Clubs from all over Florida will travel to be crowned the champion in each discipline for AAU and US Gymnastics level 1through 10.

Englewood Beach Waterfest – OPA World Championship Series
Speed, Power, and excitement continues at Englewood Beach for the Offshore Powerboat Association World Championship Series. This family-friendly event starts on Thursday with activities for all and ends Saturday and Sunday with boats racing at speeds over 150 MPH. Over 5,000 spectators come out to the beach to enjoy the sun, sand, and the comradery of cheering on their favorite team. 

Englewood Beach Waterfest – APBA World Championship Series
Speed, Power, and excitement comes to Englewood Beach for the America Power Boat Association World Championship Series. This family-friendly event will start on Thursday with activities for all and ends Saturday and Sunday with boats racing at speeds over 150 MPH. Over 5,000 spectators will come out to the beach to enjoy the sun, sand, and the comradery of cheering on their favorite team. 

Florida International Air Show – Florida International Air Show
This multi-day event features national and international performers alongside dynamic static displays of aircraft and vehicles. Audiences are treated to choreographed aerial performances filled with thrilling stunts and precision flying. Each year, the event highlights a premier military demonstration team, such as the Blue Angels or Thunderbirds.

American Kennel Club:

• Agility and World Team International Sweepstakes Championship
  Over 100 participants competed with their dog in the American Kennel Club agility trials and World Team International Sweepstake Class. Owners traveled in from across the country to compete in indoor agility, outdoor sprint timing and dock jumping.
• Paws-A-Paloosa
  Professional dog owners traveled in from throughout Florida and Georgia to showcase their breeds skill, speed, and agility at the Dog Plex. Several breeds of dogs participated in a speed course, agility course and dock diving operated and sanctioned by the American Kennel Club.

Sun Chos Taekwondo – Southwest Florida Martial Arts Open Tournament
The Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center hosted the Southwest Florida tournament, attracting schools from across the state to compete. In partnership with the Dream Foundation, the event welcomed ten students with Down syndrome to participate. The tournament’s owner, Master Vincente Albuerne—whose son has Down syndrome—established a dedicated adaptive division to ensure inclusive competition. The event attracted over 700 attendees who came together to support and cheer on all participants.

ATA Martial Arts – ATA Suncoast Championship
The American Taekwondo Association martial arts tournament attracts elite schools from across Florida. More than 600 students, ages four through eighteen, compete in their respective divisions. The event concludes with the national ATA MAX Seminar, a comprehensive introduction to creative and Xtreme martial arts.

America Cornhole Organization (ACO) – Gulf Coast Classic and Pro Invitational
The American Cornhole Organization hosts the Gulf Coast Classic and Pro Invitational along the scenic Charlotte Harbor. Participants travel across the nation and internationally to compete at Harborside Gardens at the Four Points by Sheraton and Twisted Fork’s Back Porch. On the final day, the pro division competes for a $15,000 cash prize, with matches livestreamed to a broad national audience.  

Peace River Riders – Wheels & Wings Gravel Grind Race and Downtown Ride
More than 500 dedicated cyclists participated in this challenging race and social ride. Competitive athletes tested their skills in a 10-mile gravel grind, while recreational riders enjoyed a scenic route through downtown Punta Gorda. The event’s fun ride offered four distinct route options of 15, 31, 50, and 62 miles, accommodating a wide range of experience levels.

Apex Promoz – Ultra Marathon & Adventure Race
This elite endurance race attracts high-level athletes capable of competing continuously for 24 to 48 hours. Participants are evaluated based on total distance covered rather than completion time. Top competitors often exceed 200 miles over the course of the two-day event.

USA BMX:

• Citrus National
  Citrus National attracts over 600 racers to Charlotte County. With 60 percent of participants coming from outside Florida, the event delivered notable economic impact and increased destination exposure.
  Citrus National
• National Championship
  The VCB Sports Division, in partnership with Charlotte BMX Track, hosted the USA BMX National Championship, attracting nationally qualified racers from across the country. Approximately 80 percent of participants traveled from outside Florida, contributing to significant economic impact while showcasing the destination and its amenities
• Florida State Championship Series
  Charlotte BMX Track hosts the Florida Championship Series, attracting more than 650 racers from across the state to compete in high-level, age-based divisions. Following the successful hosting of the USA BMX National Championship, USA BMX continues to place strong confidence in the destination and the quality of the track to host premier events.

Sugar Bert Boxing – WBC Green Belt Tournament Series
Sugar Bert Boxing, in partnership with the Florida Boxing Association, hosts a tournament series that crowns champions across multiple divisions, including elite male (ages 19–40), elite and youth female, novice, and open categories. Winners from each division advance to qualify for the WBC Green Title fight in Las Vegas. This three-day event attracts more than 600 boxers from across the nation and internationally.