Spectator Sports in Daytona Beach, FL

If you’re more of a watcher than a participator when it comes to sports, then you won’t be disappointed in Daytona Beach. Spectator sports are big business here year round, ranging from college athletics to minor league teams to tons of professional sports. And because there’s such a diversity of sports here, you can always find something a little different as well as a ticket to fit your budget.

 

 

• Racing – This, of course, is the number one spectator sport in Daytona Beach, given the presence of the world-renowned Daytona International Speedway. While some people arrive specifically for the “big” races, like the Daytona 500, there are always plenty of other races occurring all year long so it’s never hard to get in on the action. At Daytona Speedway, all sorts of vehicles are raced so the attraction appeals to a large number of people. You might also want to check out Volusia Speedway Spark in nearby Barberville, where you can enjoy all kinds of racing from Street Stock and Sprint Cars to go-karts. In addition, the New Smyrna Speedway, also nearby, is the fastest short-track in Florida and a great place to enjoy the sport. It’s open Saturday nights from March through November.
• College Athletics – In the Daytona Beach area, there are three colleges/universities that offer locals and visitors the opportunity to enjoy NCAA sports. Bethune-Cookman University, a historically Black college in Daytona, offers football, baseball, basketball, tennis, track and field, volleyball and more, depending on the season. Stetson University in DeLand has teams that compete in baseball, basketball, crew, cross-country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball. Finally, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona opens its facilities to the public during home games in soccer, baseball, basketball, cross country, volleyball, and tennis.
• Xtreme Baseball – For something a bit out of the ordinary, check out the Daytona Stingrays Xtreme Baseball team. Xtreme baseball features two diamonds beside one another upon which both teams play on the field at the same time. Fans describe it as akin to watching two halves of the same inning all at once! Tickets are inexpensive and it’s a fun family time.
• Advanced Class A Baseball – If regular baseball is more your thing, you can purchase tickets to watch the Daytona Cubs, a Class A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. They play about 70 home games from April through September at Jackie Robinson Stadium in Daytona Beach.
• Indoor Football – From April through July, the Daytona Beach Thunderbirds Arena Football team plays at the Ocean Center in downtown Daytona. Fun for the whole family!
• Rugby – The Daytona Beach Rugby Club practices their sport every Tuesday and Thursday evening on the campus of Embry-Riddle University. Spectators can watch practice or take in a game.
• Greyhound Racing – Visitors who enjoy the excitement of greyhound racing can visit the Daytona Beach Kennel Club and Poker Room, established in 1948, for year-round live or simulcast racing. Guests can also watch or participate in the frequent poker tournaments held here.

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