Image Source: SFC
By
Scalloping and sports tourism don’t often go together. But then again, Florida’s Sports Coast is happy to stand out among a crowded field of warm weather destinations.
In trying to create a unique identity for the region sandwiched between Tampa/St. Petersburg and Orlando, Pasco County took ownership of the sports industry.
While it may not be home to a professional sports team, the region naturally appeals to high-energy recreational activities. A rare Florida destination with hills to challenge bikers, it also makes a splash with a variety of water sports, including hunting for mollusks.
Snorkeling, fishing, and kayaking are just a few of the traditional athletic endeavors that draw about 1.5 million visitors annually. Throw in a water-based adventure park, and travelers of all ages can be enthralled.
“We created the Florida destination for active families, anchored in authenticity, movement, and connection,” says Consuelo Sanchez, Deputy Director – Tourism at Florida’s Sports Coast and the face of the region’s sports tourism push. “Our brand isn’t just a name — it’s a promise. It speaks volumes about the experience visitors can expect: a place where they can compete, explore, relax, and create unforgettable memories at their own pace.”
In some regards, the destination management organization or DMO was ahead of the game in conceiving its identity. Coming out of COVID, travelers are still trying to make up for lost time from the lockdown. Laying on a beach isn’t good enough for many who are craving experiences.
As a result, the line between vacations and event-based travel has continued to blur. In the sports tourism world, there is virtually no difference. As parents invest heavily, both in terms of finances and time commitment, in the travel sports their kids play, their travel patterns are tied to tournament schedules. Three days in a destination with a premier youth sports facility and amenities for spectators doubles as a family trip.
Sports planners and rights holders have sensed the shift in priorities, says Sanchez.
“Organizers today are looking for more than just venues — they’re looking for destinations that offer meaningful experiences for athletes, families, and attendees.”
That’s where the Sports Coast excels. Pasco County is close enough to Tampa International Airport (30 minutes) and Orlando International Airport (90 minutes) that it’s convenient to reach but far enough removed from the major cities to have its own distinct vibe. Almost 90 percent of travelers arrive via car, according to the DMO.
Threading that needle has allowed the Sports Coast to generate $1.12 billion in total economic impact, a 14.1% increase over the previous year from sports tourism. In FY2025, sports tourism filled 1.51 million hotel room nights and supported 9,480 local jobs.
Florida’s Sports Coast offers a unique mix of waterfront towns, scenic parks, and rural charm, says Sanchez. Life moves a little slower in Pasco County, but that means more time to soak in the experiences that are anything but reserved.
Few events can quite sum up any destination, let alone this one, like the Pasco Scallop & Music Fest. Held at Sunwest Park, where the beach is a hot spot, the homegrown tradition began in July 2024 and includes 25 bands performing, a scallop-themed menu, a sand volleyball tournament, water ski show, and a carnival.
Connecting the travel package are Pasco County’s sports facilities, including Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus. The 98,000-sq.-ft. center in Wesley Chapel is a premier multipurpose venue for indoor sports competitions, including volleyball, basketball, cheerleading, and gymnastics, and outdoor events (played on some of the best grass fields in the area) like soccer, football, lacrosse, and field hockey.
USA Amateur Basketball held its national championships at the facility in July 2025, two months after the United States Wheelchair Rugby Association played its national championships there.
Adding to the on-site amenities is the campus’ proximity to Saddlebrook Resort, other hotels (including the Residence Inn, located across the parking lot), and a variety of restaurants and retail outlets.
The Sports Coast offers performance-based financial support to qualified tournament organizers who bring their event to town, Sanchez says. “More importantly, we offer a partnership — one built on responsiveness, trust, and a shared commitment to success,” she adds.
AdventHealth Center Ice, also in Wesley Chapel, has five ice sheets, three of which are NHL-sized rinks. It is home to the University of South Florida’s club hockey teams, two United States Premier Hockey League (junior) hockey teams, 16 youth travel hockey teams, 12 high school teams, 22 youth recreational level teams, and more than 100 adult recreational hockey teams.
Locals and travel athletes take advantage of the largest learn-to-skate program in the state, national and regional figure skating competitions, and a host of freestyle figure skating events at various skill levels.
Mouratoglou Academy Zephyrhills includes 15 lit tennis courts, five padel courts, eight pickleball courts, and a full fitness and recovery center.
As Florida’s Sports Coast emerges from the shadow of its neighbors in the Sunshine State, Sanchez says building connections with sports organizers is vital. She is confident that once an event is played in the county, the planner will schedule a return.
“Our team has earned a reputation for being responsive, diligent, and genuinely available to our stakeholders,” says Sanchez. “That trust leads to repeat business, referrals, and deeper collaboration — and it’s one of the reasons Florida’s Sports Coast continues to grow as a premier destination.”
