TAMPA – We’re called Champa Bay for a reason. Sports tourism brings a lot of money to our communities up and down the coast. This year, Raymond James Stadium will host an MLS match and the Savannah Bananas, bringing in millions of dollars to Hillsborough County. 

In other communities, like Manatee and Pinellas Counties, they’re focusing on future athletes too, making sure they have places to train. 

By the numbers:

Tampa Bay is speeding toward a big economic boost. Athletes have their practices in before the State BMX Championship in Pinellas County next week. It’s expected to bring in $1.3 million to the area. 

“This one is a state race, but we usually do have national racers coming from all around the world to compete,” said Oldsmar BMX Supercross track operator Jason Conklin. 

In Manatee County, leaders broke ground on a new athletic center and aquatics facility. It’s been years in the making. 

Manatee County Commissioner George Kruse said, “It’s a combination of an aquatic center and an athletic center. There will be locker rooms, restrooms and facilities. Part of it will be pickleball courts”. 

Kruse explained their goal is to bring more people to the county through tournaments. It’s why they put a big focus on their Olympic-sized swimming pool. 

“My son was on the swim team for two years, but not to the extent of the Tsunami swim parents and the Lightning swim parents,” Kruse added. “They reached out to us and had meetings with us to explain what’s lacking amenity wise in Manatee County and how they had to drive to South Sarasota to find an adequate pool to train in.”

The 40,000 square foot facility won’t just have a competition pool. A therapy pool is planned, with locker rooms, a geothermal yard and 24 pickleball courts. 

It gives both residents and tourists something to enjoy. 

What’s next:

“People who are training for the Olympics, people who are training for college couldn’t in Manatee County. That’s what took turning a simple pool into a world-class facility you’ll see,” Kruse explained. 

The Manatee County facility is expected to open in Summer 2026, and it sits along Rangeland Parkway in Lakewood Ranch. 

You can watch the BMX Championships next weekend on February 8 and 9 at the Oldsmar Sports Complex.

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