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Tournament Players Clubs in the United States. The For more information call 904-273-3235, or see www.TPC.com.
THE JACKSONVILLE SHARKS
The Sharks are a professional arena football team based in Jacksonville, playing their home games at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena, a 15,000 seat multi-purpose arena known for sponsorship purposes as Sea Best Field. The Sharks are part of the South Division of the American Conference (AC) in the Arena Football League (AFL). For tickets and other information see www.jaxsharks.com
JACKSONVILLE ARMADA FC
Professional soccer first arrived in northeast Florida in 1980 when the Lipton Tea Company relocated the
New England Tea Men franchise to Jacksonville. Despite four great years and a series of successes, the Tea Men folded in 1984. It was at the USMNT/ Scotland friendly which was held at EverBank Field in 2012 that native Jacksonville businessman Mark Frisch drew inspiration to bring professional soccer back to Northeast Florida. Overwhelmed by the passionate fans and exciting atmosphere, he saw the potential in continuing to grow a sport he was learning to love. More than 30 years later soccer continues on the First Coast with the the Jacksonville Armada FC. On Feb. 7, 2015, the Armada rode three first-half goals to a 3-1 win over its inaugural opponent, the Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer in front of a NASL preseason record 13,934 fans at EverBank Field. For tickets and other information see www.armadafc.com
THE JACKSONVILLE GIANTS
Our minor league basketball team is
the 3 time National Champion of the American Basketball Association (ABA), which they joined as an expansion team for the 2010–2011 season. They play most home games at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. The Giants defeated Chicago’s Windy City Groove by a score of 93 to 90 to win the 2016 American Basketball Association (ABA) National Championship in Laredo, Texas. It was the Giants’ third ABA Championship, previously defeating Dallas in 2012 and 2 South Carolina in 2013. For tickets and other information see www.jacksonvillegiants.com
ATP TOUR
The ATP’s accelerated growth and increased operational needs prompted the construction of a new 22,000 square foot building that now serves as the ATP’s corporate headquarters for North and Latin America. In 2015, ATP is now in its 27th year at Ponte Vedra Beach. The ATP oversees a circuit of events, which includes 65 tournaments in 31 countries on 6 continents. Visit the ATP’s International Headquarters and experience the dynamic excitement of “tennis that’s out of this world”
For more information and dates see www.atpworldtour.com.
THE AT&T GREATER JACKSONVILLE KINGFISH TOURNAMENT
Each July, Jacksonville hosts the
AT&T Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament, the largest of its kind in the United States. Held at Jim King Park & Boat Ramp on Sisters Creek
on the Intracoastal Waterway, this
event brings together professional and amateur anglers vying for cash prizes over the weeklong event. Festivities held
during the week include a Junior Angler Tournament for fishing enthusiasts under the age of 16, a food festival, boat show and kids’ play area. www.kingfishtournament.com
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
In January, Jacksonville hosts the
annual TaxSlayer Bowl. Originally named the Gator Bowl, it has been held continuously since 1946, making it the sixth oldest college bowl, as well as the first one ever televised nationally. In addition, the annual game played by
the University of Florida Gators and the University of Georgia Bulldogs is played in Jacksonville. This match-up between Southeastern Conference opponents
is one of the most prominent rivalry games in college football, and since 1933 it has been held in Jacksonville, with only two exceptions, making it one of the few remaining neutral-site rivalries. The game attracts huge crowds to Jacksonville and the associated tailgating and other events earned it the nickname of the “World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party”.
TIGER WOODS AT THE 2015 PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP
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