Upcoming Events
There is always something happening in Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach - especially on the sports development front. Below you can scroll through events scheduled for the upcoming months. Towards the bottom of the page - you can see recently conducted past events.
MARCH
USA BMX – Florida State Qualifying Series Championship Series
Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach partners with Charlotte BMX Track to host the USA BMX State Qualifying Series Championship. Over 700 riders travel from across the state—some as far as California—to participate in this last race to increase their total points in order to qualify for the National Championship.
PicklePlex® of Punta Gorda – Spring Fling
The PicklePlex® on Florida Southwest Charlotte Campus hosts their Spring Fling Tournament with over 400 participants over three days. Athletes travel in from throughout the country and from across Florida.
USSSA Prostyle Baseball – Gold Bat Championship
Teams travel in from throughout south Florida to participate in the Gold Bat Championship. Over 50 teams of athletes aged 6–14 take the fields to show off their talents on nine county fields.
Destination Athletes – Centennial National Invitational
This Florida Swimming-sanctioned event has over 800 competitive athletes from various swim clubs taking to the deck at Centennial Park Pool. Clubs on Spring Break travel in from throughout the Country to participate in this four-day showcase that attracts some of the top swim clubs in the country.
APRIL
Horizon Gymnastics - Level 1-8 State Qualifier
This Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) and USA Gymnastics sanctioned invitational covers all disciplines for girls ages 3–18. Participants travel from across the state of Florida and throughout the region.
US Amateur Basketball – Southwest Florida Hoops Showcase
Charlotte County and the City of North Port host this showcase using eight gymnasiums. Teams from South and central Florida compete for points to participate in the US Amateur Florida State Championship held in June in Port Charlotte.
Florida Half Century Softball
Florida Half Century Softball Association is a not-for-profit organization of teams across the state of Florida. Over their 25 years of existence, they have developed 5 major age divisions, and play year-round with competitive divisions available for ages 50+. Events are held at Carmalita Park in April and October.
US Amateur Basketball- SWFL Showcase II
Southwest Florida Hoops host a sanctioned US Amateur Basketball Tournament utilizing gymnasiums at Centennial Park, South County Regional Park, and Harold Avenue Park. Forty-four teams of 5th- through 12th-grade students have the opportunity to represent their hometown club.
ProAm 50 Softball – SWFL 50’s & 60’s Tournament
This senior softball tournament takes place at Carmalita Park in Punta Gorda. Teams travel in from throughout Florida and the top three teams secure a spot in the State Championship.
Internationals Women’s Fishing Tournament
Boca Grande and Charlotte Harbor are home to the inaugural Internationals Women’s Fishing Tournament. Top women anglers will participate, traveling from throughout the US and Internationally to compete for cash and prizes.
MAY
USA/Florida Swimming - Area 5 Swim Meet
The Sea Dragons Swim Cub hosts 13 regional schools for this three-day meet. They compete in both the long course, 50-meters, and the short course, 25-yards. This meet provides each school with rankings towards the FHSAA state championship.
United States Specialty Sport Association –Super NIT
We are pleased to host USSSA’s State Super NIT Baseball Championship at all of Charlotte County Baseball Parks. Over 100 teams travel in throughout the Country to participate. This National Invitational Tournament is awarded to teams from throughout the country that qualify for a certain number of points and rankings during the travel baseball season.
Florida State Series
US Girls Fastpitch Softball hosts their Florida State Series at Carmalita Park in Punta Gorda. Girls ranging from 12-years to 18- years, traveling from throughout Florida and southern states, take to the fields to compete.
JUNE
Pinchin Cornhole Festival – Gulf Coast Classic
American Cornhole Organization (ACO) hosts their inaugural Pinchin Cornhole Festival - Gulf Coast Classic on Charlotte Harbor. Contestants travel from throughout the nation and internationally to compete under the Tiki huts on beautiful Charlotte Harbor. The final day is a shoot-out for over $10,000 in cash for their pro-invitational division.
Pickleball and Canoe/Kayak Race – Punta Gorda Festival
Florida Sports Foundations Sunshine State Games will host their Pickleball and Canoe/Kayak Race - Punta Gorda Festival during the same weekend as the Gulf Coast Classic Cornhole Festival. Athletes have a chance to compete against the top pickleballers in the state. Other athletes compete in a sprint race and half marathon on the waters of Charlotte Harbor.
Dance Dimensions – Southwest Florida Showcase
Top individuals, teams, and dance studios ages 3 through 18 boys and girls compete from across Florida in all disciplines of dance and hip hop.
US Amateur Basketball – Boys & Girls Florida State Championship
US Amateur Basketball hosts 3rd through 12th grade, high school division students for the Boys & Girls State Championship. Over 130 qualifying teams with more than 1,200 athletes stay in Port Charlotte for three days. They travel from all over Florida looking to crown their team as the State champion in their age group.
Sugar Bert Boxing National Championship Qualifier
The Sugar Bert Boxing Promotions National Qualifiers and Championships, held at the Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center, attracts thousands of amateur boxers, coaches, and families. Their vision is to increase exposure to up-and-coming amateur boxers.
USSSA Prostyle – Charlotte Crown
Protyle’s Charlotte Crown takes place the second week of June with 732 athletes utilizing our county baseball fields. This annual summer sizzler is one of their premier events crowning Charlotte’s best.
USSA Prostyle Baseball – Independent Battle
Protyle’s Independent Battle features the top teams invited throughout the region and south Florida. 504 athletes participate with some teams traveling from Miami and West Palm Beach, creating over 300 hotel room nights for the area.
Florida State Series
US Girls Fastpitch Softball hosts their Florida State Series at Carmalita Park in Punta Gorda. Girls ranging from 12-years to 18- years, traveling from throughout Florida and southern states, take to the fields to compete.
JULY
USA/Florida Swimming – Area 5 Swim Meet
The Sea Dragons Swim Cub hosts 13 regional schools for this three-day meet. They compete in both the long course, 50-meters, and the short course, 25-yards. This meet provides rankings towards the FHSAA state championship for each school.
Peace River Riders Bicycle Club – Wheels & Wings
This two-day event attracts riders from all over the state. Over 350 riders test their skills on Charlotte Harbor Bridge and the gravel grinder, long course endurance and winding streets of Punta Gorda. Each level of rider chooses from a 62,50,31 or 15- mile ride. All participants end this adventure at Beef ‘O’ Brady’s for wings, great conversation, and comradery.
CrossFit
Thunderdome Production will host a CrossFit competition at the Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center. This event attracts over 600 CrossFit athletes from across Florida looking to win medals and leave with bragging rights.
Florida State Series
US Girls Fastpitch Softball hosts their Florida State Series at Carmalita Park in Punta Gorda. Girls ranging from 12-years to 18- years, traveling from throughout Florida and southern states, take to the fields to compete.
SEPTEMBER
Tier One Fastpitch Softball – College Showcase
15–18-year-old girls softball travel teams compete in front of college coaches looking to recruit kids to the next level to play for a Division I-III and NAIA college. The invited coaches coach each team to get a closer perspective on how the teams handle pressure and adversity while looking at their athletic abilities.
Florida State Series
US Girls Fastpitch Softball hosts their Florida State Series at Carmalita Park in Punta Gorda. Girls ranging from 12-years to 18- years, traveling from throughout Florida and southern states, take to the fields to compete.
OCTOBER
USSSA Prostyle Baseball – The Duel
Prostyle’s The Duel has over 700 athletes utilizing Centennial Park and South County Regional Park baseball fields. This annual tournament is one of their premier events crowning Charlotte’s best.
Florida Half Century Softball – 50+ State Tournament
Carmalita Park hosts this fifty-and-over division with over 600 athletes participating. The two-day event has some of the top players from throughout Florida playing.
Florida High School Athletic Association – Class 2A Region 4 Swim Meet
Centennial Park Pool is home to our FHSAA Regional swim meet. Schools throughout the west coast region participate in all disciplines of swimming and diving. They host both 25- yard and 50- meter races.
PicklePlex® of Punta Gorda – Halloween Havoc Championship
This three-day event at PicklePlex® of Punta Gorda attracts top athletes from across Florida to participate in both a professional and amateur division. The finals are held on their championship court.
NOVEMBER
Tier One Fastpitch Softball – College Showcase
15–18-year-old girls softball travel teams compete in front of college coaches looking to recruit kids to the next level to play for a Division I-III and NAIA college. The invited coaches will coach each team to get a closer perspective on how the teams handle pressure and adversity while looking at their athletic abilities.
Recent Events
JANUARY
Punta Gorda Pickleball Open presented by the Association of Pickleball Professionals (APP)
The $40k 2023 Punta Gorda Pickleball Open takes place at PicklePlex® of Punta Gorda January 11–15, 2023. This tournament features top professionals and amateurs from across America competing in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles events. Play is open to the public free of charge.
Level Up Pickleball Camps
The PicklePlex® of Punta Gorda hosts various official Pickleball Magazine professional and amateur two-day camps. The camps are hosted by top professionals who teach the skills and strategies needed to get to the professional level. Participants come from throughout Florida and the southeast to learn from the best.
National Pickleball – Punta Gorda Classic
This inaugural USA Pickleball-sanctioned amateur championship series will host athletes from across the nation looking to test their skills with the best players looking to turn professional. They will compete in various division including men’s, women’s, mixed doubles, and co-ed.
Florida Youth Soccer Association U12 Soccer Festival
Charlotte Soccer Federation hosts the Florida Youth Soccer Association U12 Soccer Festival. Boys and girls twelve and under will compete for rankings in the FYSA Florida State Series.
FEBRUARY
Snowbird Baseball Classic
The 15th Annual Snowbird Baseball Classic kicks off opening day on February 17th with Ohio State taking the fields against Marshall University. Over 400 people have previously attended to cheer on their favorite athletes, team, or alma mater. Thirty Division I & III College teams from across the country will be playing conference games during this school break from mid-February to mid-March.
US Amateur Basketball – Southwest Florida Hoops Showcase
Four of Charlotte County’s gymnasiums are home to another Showcase, starting Feb. 23, 2023. Over 500 3rd–11th grade boys and girls will show off their talent on the courts. Adding this tournament provided the VCB the opportunity to host four US Amateur Basketball events per year including, their Florida State Championship.
American Pickleball by DUPR Tournament
Over 500 professional and amateur athletes of all ages participate in the 3rd annual American Pickleball Tournament. Athletes travel to Punta Gorda from across the country and Canada. The three-day tournament has previously generated over $580,000 in economic impact and filled over 690 room nights at our local accommodations.
Level Up Pickleball – Professional & Amateur Camp
Over 70 professional and amateur athletes take to the courts to learn from professionals during this three-day camp. This high-level–and official—camp for USA Pickleball provides amateurs the opportunity to have their current level of play evaluated by a professional and they map out strategies to work on.
Horizon Gymnastics – Princess Classic Invitational
Over 500 athletes from ages 3–18 years old travel from all over the state of Florida to compete in this USA Gymnastics and Amateur Athletic Union Gymnastics ( AAU) sanctioned event, held at Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center.
Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) – Area 5 High School Swim Meet
The Sea Dragon’s Swim Club hosts a Florida High School Athletic Association Area 5 high district swim meet. Thirteen schools from throughout the region compete in various disciplines. During this two-day event, over 1,200 fans have previously showed up to cheer on their favorite swimmer.
Florida Youth Soccer Associations Area C - Commissioners Cup
Charlotte Soccer Federation is the host club for the Florida Youth Soccer Associations Area C- Commissioners Cup. Boys and Girls in Region-C will compete for points and standings in the Florida Series.
Charlotte Harbor Regatta
The 12th Annual Charlotte Harbor Regatta took place Feb. 4–6, 2022. Forty-five boats and 80 sailors took to the water in Charlotte Harbor for the three-day event. Eight vessel classes participated, including the Hobie Wave, Hobie 16, Weta Trimaran, F18, A Class cat, Harbor 20, 2.4mR, and Windmill.
April
United Florida Flag Football – Southwest Florida Elite
United Flag Football’s elite tournaments is played throughout the state with teams traveling in from north and south Florida. Top teams from the men’s and women’s divisions are invited to play in the Florida state championship hosted in Naples stadium.
July
Prospect Wire Baseball – State Championship
Charlotte Sports Park's five fields and stadium are home to Charlotte County’s Prospect Wire State Championship. Teams travel from across the state of Florida to participate in this invitational tournament. Athletes from 14-18 years old showcase their talent.
October
USA Softball Florida – Fall Bash
Carmalita Park is home to this year’s USA Softball’s inaugural Fall Bash showcasing top talent for girls’ fast pitch softball. Teams will be traveling in from throughout Florida to compete with the best in the State.
November
Weta North American Sailing Championship
Over 50 sailors will take to Charlotte Harbor to compete in the Weta North American Championship. These New Zealand compact-designed 14.5 trimaran hulls can reach speeds of up to 20 knots. Whether you love the water, sailing, or racing, come cheer on the Wetas at Charlotte Beach Park in Port Charlotte.
December
Gulf Coast Invitational Golf Tournament – Riverfront Classic
Riverwood Golf Club hosts the Gulf Coast Amateur Invitational. Entrants for the 54-hole event will include top college players, the best high school players, and amateurs from around the country. Riverwood, rated 5th in Florida and 36th in the USA by Golf Advisor, has hosted many prestigious golf tournaments in its 25-year history including 17 nationally ranked Senior Amateur Invitationals and multiple Florida State Golf Association tournaments.
