There’s a reason they call us Champa Bay. Whether you’re a sports fanatic — or just look good in Buccaneers red — when it comes to sports, Tampa Bay has no shortage of teams to root on. Our area is home to some of the most loyal fans in the country.
In this guide, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know about TBAY sports, so whether you’re already a devoted Cigar City sports fan or new to the area, we hope it can serve as a valuable resource.
Have you ever been to a Buccaneers game outside of Tampa? Let us know.
Photo via Wikimedia Commons
🏈 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL) | Est. 1974
Fire the cannons. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers compete in the NFC South division of the NFL. They boast a record of two Super Bowl championships and remain one of the select few teams with a perfect record in multiple Super Bowl appearances. The Bucs are currently led by head coach Todd Bowles.
Where they play: Raymond James Stadium
- Max. capacity: 76,000
- The stadium has also hosted musical acts from Taylor Swift to U2, and the annual Sunset Music Festival
Mascot: Captain Fear and Bucco Bruce
- The two pirates were introduced in 2000 and 1976, respectively
- Captain Fear’s ship is docked in the Buccaneer Cove at Ray Jay
Team colors: Buccaneers red, pewter, bay orange, and black
- The team is bringing back their “Creamsicle” orange and white jerseys for the 2023 season
- Shop for merch
Major accomplishments:
- Won first Super Bowl in 2003
- In 2021, the Bucs became the first team to win a Super Bowl in their home stadium
- The most points Tampa Bay has scored during a playoff game is 48 against Oakland in 2003
- Have won eight division championships, two conference championships, and two Super Bowls
📅 Sneak peek at the team’s upcoming season.
⚾️ Tampa Bay Rays (MLB) | Est. 1998
Rays up. Our hometown baseball team was originally called the Devil Rays but was renamed the Tampa Bay Rays in 2008. Fun fact: They’ve made it to the World Series twice, in 2008 and 2020.
Where they play: Tropicana Field
- Max. capacity: 42,000
- Tampa Bay Rays’ lease on their current ballpark is set to end in 2027, prompting developers, the team, and the city to work together to finalize plans for a new stadium and the redevelopment of its surrounding area.
Mascots: Raymond, DJ Kitty, and Stinger
- Raymond the “SeaDog” has been around since 1998, but DJ Kitty and Stinger the Stingray arrived in 2013.
Team colors: Navy blue, light blue, yellow, and white
Major accomplishments:
- The Rays tied the modern era record for the best start to a season 13-0
- The team made the playoffs four years in a row
📅 See the team’s schedule.
*It’s worth noting that six other MLB teams host spring training in the Greater Tampa Bay area.
🏒 Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL) | Est. 1992
The Tampa Bay Lightning has had great success in recent years thanks in part to their star players. That includes captain Steven Stamkos, who’s led the league in goals twice in his career. He’s spent his entire career as a member of the Bolts since being drafted in 2008.
Where they play: Amalie Arena
- Max. capacity: 21,500
- It has also hosted musical acts from Coldplay and Carrie Underwood to Carole King, and Barry Manilow
- Did you know Amalie Arena is sometimes referred to as “The Ice Palace?”
Mascot: ThunderBug
- When the team’s off the ice, ThunderBug helps out at various hockey camps
Team colors: Blue and white
- The team is often referred to as the “Bolts” due to the lightning bolt logo
- Shop for merch
Major accomplishments:
- The team has made the playoffs 15 times in their 30 seasons thus far, taking home the Stanley Cup three times (2004, 2020, 2021)
- They played their first game on October 7, 1992, defeating the Chicago Blackhawks 7-3
- The Lightning are the first (and currently only) team to have a woman play for them. Goalie Manon Rheaume made history in September 1992, playing in a preseason game and stopping seven of nine shots in one period.
📅 See the team’s schedule.
⚽️ Tampa Bay Rowdies (USL) | Est. 2008
The Rowdies may have the most scenic backdrop in all of the sports — the St. Petersburg waterfront. The team is one of many soccer teams to have called TBAY home.
Where they play: Al Lang Stadium
- Max. capacity: 7,227
Mascot: Pinnie and Pete
- Pete the Pelican was born on March 25, 2015, and Pinnie the Pelican was born on July 27, 2016 (727 Day)
Team colors: Green, yellow, and white
- The color scheme comes from the Tampa Bay Mutiny (MLS), a local soccer team that played from 1996 to 2001
- Shop for merch
Major accomplishments:
- The Rowdies made the Eastern Conference Finals before the 2020 USL Championship was canceled due to the pandemic
- The team won the 2021 USL regular season with 71 standings points before losing to Orange County SC in the final
- In 2012, the team won the North American Soccer League Championship Series against the Minnesota Stars
📅 See the team’s schedule.
⚾️ Tampa Tarpons (MiLB) | Est. 1994
The Tampa Tarpons are the single-A affiliate of the New York Yankees — in fact, the team was previously named the Tampa Yankees. Before that, there was another local team called the Tarpons.
Where they play: George M. Steinbrenner Field
- Max. capacity: 11,026
- Also the Yankees’ spring training home
- The stadium has the exact same dimensions as Yankee Stadium
Mascot: Blue
- Despite the name, this monster has red hair and a big red baseball on its belly
Team colors: Navy blue, silver, gulf blue, and white
- The team’s current look is inspired by previous Tampa Tarpon logos (1957-1987)
- Shop for merch
Major accomplishments:
- Notable former players include Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera
- In 2022, Rachel Balkovec became the team’s manager — making her the first woman to manage a minor league baseball team
📅 See the team’s schedule.
