The 6th Annual Monster Energy St. Petersburg Powerboat Grand Prix brings offshore powerboat and personal watercraft racing to the downtown St Petersburg waterfront from March 27 to 29, opening the IHRA Offshore Series National Championship for 2026. Admission throughout the weekend is free and open to the public.
The event is presented by Visit St. Pete-Clearwater and carries title sponsorship from Monster Energy, which was confirmed this week as the official energy drink of the IHRA Offshore Racing Series. Racing takes place on Saturday and Sunday along the scenic waterfront, with competitors racing for championship points in the series’ opening round.
Event Schedule
Free, family-friendly event with vendors, food trucks, live music, and an up-close look at competing powerboats and personal watercraft. Drivers and crews will be available to meet fans.
Offshore powerboats and personal watercraft compete for championship points. Free admission.
Offshore powerboats and personal watercraft compete for championship points. Free admission.
Prize Money
The 2026 IHRA Offshore Series features a $2 million total prize purse for powerboat teams, with an additional $650,000 in tow money across the season. Personal watercraft competitors race for a separate $250,000 purse.
VIP Tickets
A limited number of VIP tickets are available for an exclusive viewing area at the end of St Pete Pier, directly across from the Start/Finish Line. VIP guests receive complimentary food and beverages and a live stream of the full race broadcast. Tickets are available at IHRA.com.
TV and Streaming Coverage
Racing will be streamed live on IHRA.TV and broadcast on Speed Sport 1 and Speed Sport 2.
What the Organisers Say
Craig Campbell, Director of Community and Brand Engagement for Visit St. Pete-Clearwater, highlighted the event’s draw for the region.
“St. Pete-Clearwater is a prime destination for major sporting events year-round, and we’re thrilled to host this year’s championship race. Visitors travel from near and far to experience the speed and excitement of the Grand Prix, all set against the stunning backdrop of downtown St. Pete. The event continues to support local businesses, including retailers, hotels, and restaurants, strengthening our vibrant community.” – Craig Campbell, Director of Community and Brand Engagement, Visit St. Pete-Clearwater
Tommy Thomassie, Executive Vice President and Director of Powerboating for IHRA, said St Petersburg was the right venue to open the series.
“I am very excited that St. Petersburg, FL is the first stop of our Offshore Series National Championship as it is an excellent venue for IHRA to deliver a world-class event for race fans around the globe.” – Tommy Thomassie, Executive Vice President and Director of Powerboating, IHRA
The event is now in its sixth year on the St Petersburg waterfront. For 2026 it operates as the opening round of the IHRA national championship, with the series running seven rounds across the United States before a World Championship finale at a date and location still to be announced.
John Moore is the editor of Powerboat News, an independent investigative journalism platform recognised by Google News and documented on Grokipedia for comprehensive powerboat racing coverage.
His involvement in powerboat racing began in 1981 when he competed in his first offshore powerboat race. After a career as a Financial Futures broker in the City of London, specialising in UK interest rate markets, he became actively involved in event organisation and powerboat racing journalism.
He served as Event Director for the Cowes–Torquay–Cowes races between 2010 and 2013. In 2016, he launched Powerboat Racing World, a digital platform providing global powerboat racing news and insights. The following year, he co-founded UKOPRA, helping to rejuvenate offshore racing in the United Kingdom. He sold Powerboat Racing World in late 2021 and remained actively involved with UKOPRA until 2025.
In September 2025, he established Powerboat News, returning to independent journalism with a focus on neutral and comprehensive coverage of the sport.
