Catch a Game: See the Best Florida Sports Teams
When you think of dolphins, rays, and panthers in Florida, you probably associate the animals with the Sunshine State’s beautiful wilderness. However, these are also the names of some of its celebrated athletic teams — and if you’re planning on visiting, it’s worth catching them in action. Here’s the lowdown on where you can do so.
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are one of Florida’s NFL teams, based — as the name suggests — in the Miami area (Miami Gardens’ Hard Rock Stadium, to be precise). In 1972 they became the only team in NFL history to go undefeated through the regular season and the playoffs — a feat not matched to this day. You can purchase a membership or single-game ticket at https://www.miamidolphins.com/tickets/
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat basketball team is one of Florida’s most popular and successful sports teams, led by NBA MVPs and Olympic gold medalists Dwayne Wade and Shaquille O’Neal. The team’s stadium is Miami’s famed American Airlines Arena. Purchase your tickets at https://www.nba.com/heat/tickets/miami-heat-tickets?splash=off
Miami Marlins
The Miami Marlins are two-time World Series champions that play in Marlins Park. They were the first-ever MLB team with their own cheer team, which has now been replaced by a high-energy co-ed dance team. Buy tickets at https://www.mlb.com/marlins/tickets/spring-training?affiliateId=mia-spring-panel-011120
Tampa Bay Lightning
If you’re a hockey fan, you’ll want to see the Tampa Bay Lightning in action. Known as the Bolts, they play in the Atlantic Division of the NHL’s Eastern Conference. And though Florida isn’t known for its abundance of ice, you wouldn’t know it from the team — they won the Stanley Cup back in 2004. Tickets are available at https://www.nhl.com/lightning/tickets/single-game-tickets.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are another of Florida’s three NFL teams. Named for Florida’s pirate history, they play at Tampa’s prestigious Raymond James Stadium, known for hosting multiple Super Bowls. Tickets to games may be purchased at https://www.buccaneers.com/tickets/
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are one of Florida’s major-league baseball teams and play at St. Petersburg’s Tropicana Field. Along with competing against other teams in the AL East division, such as the Yankees and Red Sox, the team faces off with the Miami Marlins annually in the Citrus Series. Tickets are available at https://www.mlb.com/rays/tickets/season-tickets/single-season
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers are a hockey team based in Sunrise’s BB&T Center. Founded in the early 1990s, they’ve played in the Stanley Cup Finals and recently broke their all-time record by winning 12 consecutive games. Tickets are sold through the NHL.com site: https://www.nhl.com/panthers/tickets
Plan Your Trip
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