Sports

Home Field Advantage: Sports

Sports lovers will always find themselves with a team to cheer for here on the First Coast! From outdoor fishing tournaments and roller derby to college and professional sporting events, there is always a game or event to attend.

Jacksonville Jaguars, photo courtesy of City of Jacksonville

“Since 2007, Jacksonville Jaguar fans can watch games from the comfort of a swimming pool cabana, located in the party deck area of the stadium.”

With a bunch of great teams and fun events, sports lovers will never find themselves without a team to root for or game to attend.

DUVAL-NORTH Florida State College at Jacksonville BlueWave

4501 Capper Rd. (North Campus), Jacksonville 11901 Beach Blvd. (South Campus), Jacksonville www.gobluewave.com The FSCJ BlueWave is part of the Florida College System Activities Association and National Junior College Athletic Association, and is made up of five competitive teams for both women and men.

Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament

[July 12-17, 2021] Jim King Park and Boat Ramp at Sisters Creek 8203 Heckscher Dr., Jacksonville www.kingfishtournament.com Drawing in fishing enthusiasts from all over the country, this annual weeklong competition is one of the largest kingfish tournaments in the Southeast.

Jacksonville University (JU) Dolphins

2800 University Blvd. N., Jacksonville www.judolphins.com Whether it’s soccer, baseball or basketball, check out one of the 18 teams at JU to cheer on your Dolphins.

DUVAL-SOUTH Jacksonville Armada Football Club

1 UNF Dr., Jacksonville www.jacksonvillearmada.com As the area’s only professional soccer team, the Armada have called the First Coast home since 2015, competing in several playoffs including the NPSL Sunshine Conference Playoffs.

Jacksonville Axemen Rugby League

1 UNF Dr., Jacksonville www.jaxaxe.com The Axemen have been bringing hard hits to the First Coast since 2006. They are one of the most successful rugby league football clubs in the country, forming the USA Rugby League (USARL) championship.

Jacksonville Ice & Sportsplex

3605 Philips Hwy., Jacksonville www.jaxiceandsportsplex.com Lace up your skates and hop on the ice at this NHL regulation-sized rink. Enjoy other recreational activities within the Sportsplex including soccer, basketball, volleyball, and kids and adult hockey on the indoor courts and multi-purpose turf areas.

Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, photo courtesy of CREW Jacksonville Florida-Georgia Game, photo courtesy of City of Jacksonville

Jacksonville Giants, photo courtesy of Jacksonville Giants

Jacksonville University Basketball, photo courtesy of Jacksonville University

Jacksonville Roller Derby

Skate Station Funworks Mandarin 3461 Kori Rd., Jacksonville www.jacksonvillerollerderby.com With more than 70 skaters and six teams, the women of the Jacksonville Roller Derby League have built up a ruthless reputation for their quick skating and hard playing.

Kona Skatepark

8739 Kona Ave., Jacksonville www.konaskatepark.com Skaters find sanctuary at the longest surviving skate park in the world, working to perfect their skills and even complete for prize money.

University of North Florida (UNF) Ospreys

1 UNF Dr., Jacksonville www.unfospreys.com Cheer on the UNF Ospreys in the Swoop Squad, who compete in the NCAA Division I athletics with teams for both women and men.

Sport Teams

Jacksonville Jaguars

National Football League TIAA Bank Field Established: 1995 Division Championships: 3

Jacksonville Sharks

National Arena League VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena Established: 2009 League Championships: 3

Jacksonville Armada FC

North American Soccer League/National Premier Soccer League Hodges Stadium Established: 2013

Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp

Minor League Baseball 121 Financial Ballpark Established: 1962 League Championships: 7

Jacksonville Giants

American Basketball Association VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena Established: 2010 League Championships: 6

Jacksonville Icemen

ECHL (formerly the East Coast Hockey League) VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena Established: 1992

Jacksonville Axemen

USA Rugby League University of North Florida North Practice Soccer Fields Established: 2006 League Championships: 3

“The Jacksonville Icemen’s mascot, Fang, was named in honor of JSO K-9 Fang who was lost in the line of duty.”

Jacksonville Icemen

VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena 300 A. Philip Randolph Blvd., Jacksonville www.jacksonvilleicemen.com The Jacksonville Icemen is a member of the ECHL that began play in the 2017-2018 season. Known for their energetic mascot, “Fang,” and skilled players, the team continues to wow fans throughout the First Coast.

Jacksonville Icemen, photo by Chard Ciraulo courtesy of Unsplash

DUVAL-WEST Edward Waters College (EWC) Tigers

1658 Kings Rd., Jacksonville www.ewctigerpride.com EWC is home to several intercollegiate teams and a coed cheerleading team.

Florida-Georgia Football Classic

[Oct. 29, 2021] TIAA Bank Field 1 TIAA Bank Field Dr., Jacksonville www.flgajax.com For 88 years, the Florida Gator and Georgia Bulldog fans have been in a rivalry against each other with an extreme, football-filled week leading up to the final big game.

Jacksonville Equestrian Center

13611 Normandy Blvd., Jacksonville www.jaxequestriancenter.com The Jacksonville Equestrian Center is the leading facility for equine shows on the First Coast with grounds for biking, hiking, horseback riding and more.

Jacksonville Giants

VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena 300 A. Philip Randolph Blvd., Jacksonville www.jacksonvillegiants.com With six American Basketball Association National Championship wins, the Jacksonville Giants have continued to destroy competitors with their hard work and perseverance.

Jacksonville Jaguars

TIAA Bank Field 1 TIAA Bank Field Dr., Jacksonville www.jaguars.com The Jaguars have made a name for themselves on the First Coast with a devout group of fans. This NFL team has won three division championships and had seven playoff appearances.

Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp

121 Financial Ballpark 301 A. Philip Randolph Blvd., Jacksonville www.jaxshrimp.com With our seven-time league champion team, the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, our very own Minor League Baseball team, never fails to entertain. Each Friday, get ready to enjoy a firework show that lights up the downtown skyline at the end of home games.

Jacksonville Sharks

VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena 300 A. Philip Randolph Blvd., Jacksonville www.jaxsharks.com The local arena football team, the Sharks, has reclaimed the championship title for the National Arena League several times in the past and continues to impress all fans on the First Coast.

TaxSlayer Gator Bowl

TIAA Bank Field 1 TIAA Bank Field Dr., Jacksonville www.taxslayergatorbowl.com For more than 75 years, the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl has been providing football entertainment as one of the oldest college football bowl games in the nation.