During the winter months, The Palm Beaches in Southeast Florida are the premier destination for sport enthusiasts to get in on the action – whether you’re an active participant or cheering from the sidelines. Stretching 47 miles of pristine Atlantic Ocean beaches from Boca Raton to Jupiter and Tequesta, visitors to this collection of 39 cities and towns are often found outside basking beneath sunny skies that are accompanied by an average winter temperature of 76 degrees.
From now through April, The Palm Beaches’ sporting schedule includes a post-season collegiate bowl game, two stops on the PGA TOUR, spring training for four Major League Baseball teams, the Winter Equestrian Festival and prestigious polo matches, the world's only combined ATP World Tour/ATP Champions Tour tennis event, and an extensive roster of recreational activities for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy.
From football, baseball and golf to croquet, polo and racing, there is a sport to thrill every athlete and sports fanatic in The Palm Beaches. A sample of upcoming sporting events include:
JANUARY:
International Polo Tournaments: January 1 – April 23, 2016: Starting on January 1, 2017, the weekly Sunday afternoon event will be the epicenter of social activity, as many of the world’s finest competitors come to show their riding skills in High and Medium Goal matches. The 2017 Palm Beach Polo Season will conclude on Sunday, April 23 with the USPA 113th U.S. Open Polo Championship® final. Polo matches are open to the public, with a wide range of hospitality and guest seating that includes elegant grandstand viewing, field tailgating, stadium seating, field-side champagne brunch at The Pavilion, and exclusive sponsor boxes.
Winter Equestrian Festival: January 11 – April 2, 2017: Dubbed the “Winter Equestrian Capital of the World,” Wellington, which is one of The Palm Beaches’ 39 cities and towns, is a top lifestyle destination for equestrian athletes and fans. From January 11 through April 2, 2017, see many of the world’s finest horses and riders compete at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center during the Winter Equestrian Festival. This celebrated event brings together the partnership of horse and rider during the thrills and grace of show jumping and the elegance of classic equestrian dressage. Admire the best and most experienced individuals in the largest and longest running horse show in the world. One of its most popular weekly events is Saturday Night Lights, a Grand Prix equestrian event featuring food, family fun, live music, and the highest level of competitive show jumping that starts at 7 p.m. Best of all, admission is free of charge.
FEBRUARY:
Allianz Championship: February 6 – 12, 2017: Televised on the Golf Channel, the Allianz Championship brings together the best of golf's legends in Boca Raton. Watch these golfing legends tee up in the 2017 championship from February 6 to February 12, or upgrade with the Pro-Am experience to match strokes side-by-side with golf icons, mingle in the VIP Partner's Club and have the opportunity to meet a favorite golf celebrity for an autograph. Skyboxes and preferred seating are available, and for those fans under 17 and over 65, general admission is free.
Honda Classic: February 20 – 26, 2017: In 2016, the Honda Classic attracted 202,128 confirmed spectators to professional golf's most notable resorts – PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens. Here, 144 of the best golfers in the world will compete on the first stop of the “Florida Swing” for their share of a $6.4 million purse and the Honda Classic's Waterford Trophy. Beyond the green, The Honda Classic offers a week of events including a Pro-Am, concerts and more.
Delray Beach International Tennis Championships: February 17 – 26, 2017: Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the Delray Beach Open, the world’s only 10-day tennis event consisting of an ATP Champions Tours event (February 17 – 19, 2017) and an ATP World Tour event (February 20 – 26, 2017) is expected to welcome more than 50,000 spectators to the Delray Beach Stadium & Tennis Center. At the ATP World Tour event, fans can watch Milos Raonic (Canada), who is currently no. 3 in the world, and Juan Martin del Potro (Argentina), who was most recently a quarterfinalist at this year’s US Open. The three-day ATP Champions Tour event will feature a six-player competition including James Blake and Mardy Fish, along with Vince Spadea and Mikael Pernfors. Daily tickets can be purchased from $25 per person. Tickets to interactive exhibits and special events are also available for purchase, including the Legends Clinic, ECTF / USTA Florida KIDZ Day, ATP Doubles Pro-Am, and the Bryan Brothers Clinic.
MARCH:
Spring Training: Late February – March 2017: On February 28, 2017, The Ballpark of The Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach will host its first spring training game between its two teams – the Houston Astros and Washington Nationals. The brand-new, state-of-the-art, two team facility offers a 6,500-seat, 360-degree concourse stadium where fans from both teams can easily watch their favorite players warm-up for the season. Located only 12-miles away is the ever-popular Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, which houses the St. Louis Cardinals and the Miami Marlins annually for spring training. Schedules are currently available and individual game tickets will be available for purchase in early to mid-January through each stadium’s respective website.
APRIL:
Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction: April 6 – 8, 2017: Gearing up for its 15th year, the Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Auction draws more than 50,000 attendees to the South Florida Fairgrounds in West Palm Beach for the East Coast’s only collector car auction. Stop by to find a beautiful Bel-Air, a classic Corvette, or even a ravishing Rio in one of the many on-site display and auction rooms. Browse a wide variety of unique "automobilia," including historic gas or dealership signs, hood mascots, transportation toys, gas pumps, and garage relics. In addition to all things auto, enjoy cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and live music while gearing up to view the highly coveted horsepower at an Opening Night Gala.
International Gay Polo: April 6 – 9, 2017: From elaborate tailgate competitions to the constant flow of champagne, enjoy the festivities of the 8th International Gay Polo Tournament in The Palm Beaches. Set at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington, North America's only high goal polo venue, the 2017 International Gay Polo Tournament will take place April 6 – 9, 2017. The Gay Polo League (GPL) VIP Tent on tournament day is the ultimate in polo experience with table-side service, an open bar and VIP parking. GPL represents a wide range of ages, backgrounds and skill levels, and competes in mainstream matches and events while sharing enthusiasm for the sport.
About Discover The Palm Beaches: Discover The Palm Beaches, formerly the Palm Beach County Convention and Visitors Bureau, is the official tourism marketing corporation that promotes the collection of 39 cities and towns and 15 tourism districts spanning more than 2,200 square miles and 47 miles of pristine beaches from Boca Raton to Jupiter and Tequesta, commonly referred to as “The Palm Beaches.” Tourism is among Palm Beach County’s major industries, generating $4.55 billion in direct visitor spending and supporting more than 60,000 jobs. Once recognized as a tropical escape for elite travelers in the late 1800s, America’s First Resort Destination® is making its resurgence as The Best Way To Experience Florida®, welcoming a record-breaking 6.9 million people in 2015. The Palm Beaches are home to nearly 17,000 hotel rooms, ranging from historic resorts to boutique inns. The destination features more than 100 family-friendly attractions, world-class luxury and antique shopping experiences, 125 miles of peaceful waterways for on- or in-the-water activities, more than 150 artificial reefs that line the Atlantic Ocean’s Gulf Stream current, 160 golf courses, award-winning restaurants, and a thriving entertainment scene boasting more than 200 art and culture organizations. For more information about The Palm Beaches, visit www.ThePalmBeaches.com and connect on social media via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @PalmBeachesFL, YouTube at Discover The Palm Beaches and the hashtag, #ThePalmBeaches.
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