If you’re thinking about moving to Tampa Bay, you want to learn all about moving to Tampa and the many advantages the area offers. There are many reasons people want to move to the area, including the entertainment options. That includes a ton of successful sports teams.
In the past few years, Tampa Bay sports fans have seen their teams reach the World Series, Super Bowl, Stanley Cup Finals, and the USL Championship Final. It’s led to the nickname “Champa Bay” and a lot of attention for an area that already is the hottest housing market in the nation, according to Zillow.
For those who want to learn all about moving to Tampa, including the sports options, the following list will get you started. It’s yet another reason Tampa is attracting new residents from big cities across the nation.
Professional Sports in Tampa Bay
The Tampa Bay area has teams in three of the nation’s major professional sports, as well as a soccer team in the second tier of the U.S. soccer pyramid.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The National Football League’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers, two-time Super Bowl champions, have made Tampa home since their founding in 1976. The Bucs play at Raymond James Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway, just across the street from the New York Yankees’ spring training home, Steinbrenner Field (also home to the Yankees’ Florida State minor league team). With the addition of quarterback Tom Brady, the team has become perennial contenders in the NFC. Good Greek Moving & Storage is proud to be the official mover of the Tampa Bay Bucs.
Tampa Bay Lightning
The National Hockey League’s Tampa Bay Lightning, three-time Stanley Cup winners, have played in Tampa since the team’s founding in 1992. The Lightning play at Amalie Arena in downtown Tampa is an area that has seen a lot of growth in recent years, with both residential and commercial housing expanding in recent years. The Bolts have seen some of their biggest success in recent years, winning back-to-back championships in 2020 and 2021.
Tampa Bay Rays
Major League Baseball’s Tampa Bay Rays, two-time American League champions, have played in St. Petersburg since the team’s first season in 1998. They play at Tropicana Field in downtown St. Petersburg, although the team is expected to move to a new stadium after the 2027 season, and the Rays owner expects the team to stay in Tampa Bay. The team has become one of the most innovative in baseball, leading the way in the use of data analytics and new approaches to the game. They compete in an American League East Division with a payroll that is just a fraction of what teams such as the Yankees and Boston Red Sox spend. Good Greek is proud to be the official mover of the Rays.
Tampa Bay Rowdies
The Tampa Bay Rowdies, two-time champions, have played in different incarnations in the Tampa Bay area since the 1970s. The current club first took the pitch in 2010 and has played in the USL Championship league since 2017. They won the Eastern Conference championship in both 2020 and 2021 and won championships in 2012 and 2020. The first incarnation of the Rowdies won the 1975 North American Soccer League championship. They play their games at Al Lang Stadium in downtown St. Petersburg. They also boast one of the more well-known supporter’s clubs in the league, Ralph’s Mob.
College and Minor League Sports in Tampa Bay
If you enjoy college sports, then there are plenty of options, as well.
- The University of South Florida. The USF Bulls sports teams play for the biggest public university in the Tampa Bay area and compete in the American Athletic Conference. Known as the Bulls, the university supports men’s and women’s teams in many different sports, including football, soccer, baseball, softball, and more.
- The University of Tampa. Located in downtown Tampa, this private university has sports teams that compete in the Sunshine State Conference. Known as the Spartans, the school’s various men’s and women’s teams have won 19 NCAA Division II titles.
- The area also is home to several minor league baseball teams that play in the Florida State League: Clearwater Threshers (Philadelphia Phillies), Dunedin Blue Jays (Toronto Blue Jays), and Tampa Tarpons (Yankees). They also host the spring training for the Phillies, Blue Jays, and Yankees.
These are some of the sports options you’ll want to know about as you learn all about moving to Tampa Bay. It’s an area known for its job opportunities, restaurants, beaches, and amusement parks. Now, it’s also known for great sports teams.
