No city in the world does big events quite like Miami, and that extends well into the world of sports. Greater Miami & Miami Beach is home to three professional sports teams, whose games are some of the most exciting experiences in sports.  The destination shines especially bright during major annual events. Miami also hosts other incredible, less-publicized competitions, from dragon boats to sailing. So no matter what sport you love to watch, there’s an event here worth traveling for.

Fireworks show at the Orange Bowl — Experience the iconic Orange Bowl

The Orange Bowl: December/January

The Orange Bowl game is a New Year’s tradition dating back to 1933. Named after the once-iconic stadium that stood in Little Havana, the current Orange Bowl is played at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on New Year’s Day or sometime around it. It’s frequently the site of College Football Playoff games and during other years features two of the top college football teams in America.

Participants getting ready at the starting line for the Miami Marathon — Run your personal best at the Miami Marathon, photo by Joshua Cataldo

Life Time Miami Marathon and Half-Marathon: January

The Life Time Miami Marathon and Half Marathon takes over the streets of the city on the last Sunday in January or first Sunday in February and has become one of the most popular marathons in America over its 22-year history. Today, it draws over 25,000 runners crossing the causeways into Miami Beach and back into Downtown Miami, with full marathoners continuing to Coconut Grove. For beginning runners, the flat course offers a fairly easy route, and advanced runners can go for personal bests without hills and test their resilience.

Pegasus World Cup Invitational: January

One of the richest events in horse racing - and the biggest thoroughbred race in Florida - the Pegasus World Cup is where horses from around the world converge to compete for millions of dollars in purse money. Race day at Gulfstream Park is a fashion show as much as it is a sporting event, as well-heeled fans flock to the track in their most dapper suits and outrageous hats. Each year, a big-name artist also headlines a concert, and the celebrity sightings are some of the best of the year.

Bicyclist at Gravel Miami — Experience the excitement at Gravel Miami

Gravel Miami: February

Exploring the Everglades can be tricky if you don’t know where to go. For cycling enthusiasts, one of the coolest ways to delve into the River of Grass is by riding in Gravel Miami, a cycling event that rolls along the gravel paths crisscrossing the Everglades. The race is open to the public and offers 36-, 56- and 107-mile routes, so anyone with a decent level of bike fitness can participate. It begins and ends at Miami Brewing Company in Homestead, so you can reward yourself with a cold beer at the end of your adventure.

View of multiple tennis courts at the Miami Open — Catch the Miami Open action at Hard Rock Stadium

Miami Open: March

During the last two weeks of March, the top players in men’s and women’s tennis gather in Miami for the Miami Open. One of the largest tournaments outside the Grand Slams, the Miami Open takes over the courts at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens for two weeks, and the grounds are filled with bars, restaurants and other installations that go far beyond the game. Grab a ticket to the stadium court and you can catch the tournament’s best matches inside an NFL stadium. The Miami Open is the only tennis tournament played in such a venue.

Competing at Miami Sailing Week — Watch 200+ boats compete during Miami Sailing Week

Miami Sailing Week: March

March brings Miami’s signature regatta as Miami Sailing Week docks in Coconut Grove. The weeklong competition showcases races for youth sailors to professionals, with over 200 boats from over 20 countries competing. Fans can watch from Regatta Park, where hospitality tents and live music provide a perfect backdrop for the races. There are, of course, parties, as well as art and photography displays by local and international artists.

Horse jumping at Longines — Catch the Longines Global Champions Tour on the sands of Miami Beach

Longines Global Champions Tour: April

The turquoise waters of the Atlantic Ocean provide the perfect backdrop as majestic horses leap over obstacles in America’s premiere outdoor show jumping event. At the Longines Global Champions Tour, the top riders in the country compete against the best in the world on the sands of Miami Beach. The unique arena offers bleacher seating that’s close to the action, and hospitality suites are also available for the full, luxurious equestrian experience. Whatever your preference, the event is a spectacular showcase of equine athleticism that’s unlike any event of the year.

Rider with his horse at Countryfest — Don't miss Miami-Dade Countryfest

Miami-Dade Countryfest: April

Started as the Miami Agriculture, Horse, and Cattle Show in 2015, Miami-Dade Countryfest is Miami's biggest western event and a fantastic family tradition. Each day features a two-hour rodeo, where bronc and bull riders display amazing feats of athleticism, while other cowboys race through barrels on horseback and rope cattle from a moving steed. The weekend also includes the region’s largest cattle auction, a petting zoo, and a VIP saloon for a total taste of the old west. All of it goes down at the Ronald Reagan Equestrian Center at Tropical Park near Westchester.

Panoramic view of Trump Doral Golf Course — Trump National is the home of LIV Golf Miami

LIV Golf Miami Tournament: April

Trump National hosts Miami’s biggest golf event in Doral, as top players on the LIV circuit try to tame the course’s notorious Blue Monster. The stadium-style course is perfectly suited for spectators, and the parties on the fairway are as much of a draw as the three-day tournament. The team-play format differs from what guests may be familiar with, but if LIV Golf Miami’s first years have been any indication, fans are just as excited about the experience.

yip — Experience the excitement at the Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix

Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix: May

The Formula 1 Miami Crypto.com Grand Prix is more than just an auto race. It’s one of the biggest weekends of the year in Miami, packed with parties, celebrities and concerts leading up to race day. The Grand Prix takes place at the Miami International Autodrome at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, a 19-turn, 3.63-mile track where cars reach speeds up to 200 miles per hour. While the big race is on Sunday, Friday and Saturday feature qualifiers and lower-division races, so whichever day you attend, you’re guaranteed high-speed thrills. You’ll also find dozens of local restaurants popping, as well as liquor brands and bars to keep you refreshed all afternoon.

Woman swinging golf club at the Optimist — Watch the future of golf at the Optimist International Junior Golf Championship

Optimist International Junior Golf Championship: July

Tomorrow’s stars of the PGA Tour and LIV Golf take on the Blue Monster at one of the largest and most prestigious junior golf tournaments in the world. The Optimist International Junior Golf Championship takes over the Trump National Doral, showcasing golfers as young at 10 years old competing on a course where the pros play. The tournament has been a proving ground for some of the biggest names in the sport, as the likes of Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els and Tiger Woods made their names here. Both boys and girls in four different age groups ranging from 10-18 years old play over a two-week period.

Orange Blossom Classic: September

The Orange Blossom Classic is one of the oldest college football traditions in America, dating all the way back to 1933. That game, held in Jacksonville, Florida, was founded as a way to showcase the talents at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) before television and was held every year until 1978. In 2021, the tradition at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. The Classic continues every Labor Day Weekend as two top HBCUs square off with all the passion, pageantry and marching band madness that comes with it.

Aerial view of the dragonboat — Don't miss the Miami Dragon Boat Festival

Miami Dragon Boat Festival: October

Part rowing race, part design showcase, the Miami Dragon Boat Festival takes place at Haulover Park at the end of each October. The 500-meter race is much like the world-famous one in Hong Kong, where teams compete in boats decked out to look like dragons to see who can row the fastest. Once the race is over, the afternoon evolves into a daylong beach party, with both winning and non-winning teams celebrating on the sand.

Straight Talk Wireless 400 NASCAR Cup Series: October

A thrilling weekend of auto racing at Homestead Miami Speedway in South Dade is capped off by the Straight Talk Wireless 400 NASCAR Cup Series on Sunday. The weekend also features races from NASCAR’s Xfinity Series and Craftsmen Truck circuits on Friday and Saturday.

Polo players on their horses on the sands of Miami Beach — Check out Beach Polo World Cup on the sands of Miami Beach

Beach Polo World Cup: November

The beach in front of Collins Park in South Beach transforms into an oceanside polo grounds for the Beach Polo World Cup each November. The largest beach polo event in the world, it draws the sport’s biggest names along with the swanky crowd that accompanies such high-end events. There isn’t any stomping of divots, but you will find luxury VIP and hospitality tents as well as free viewing from the sand.

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