Englewood Beach Waterfest returns to Florida’s Gulf Coast October 8-11, 2026, hosting the APBA Offshore National Championship finale for the second consecutive year.
The race serves as the final stop for teams chasing the APBA US-1 National Championship title, and it is also the last opportunity for competitors to qualify for the Key West World Championship, scheduled for November 1-8, 2026.
Now celebrating its 13th year, Englewood Beach Waterfest has grown into one of the premier offshore powerboat racing events in the country, attracting an average of 32,000 spectators across race weekend. The event is organised by Englewood Beach Waterfest, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit run entirely by more than 400 volunteers, with a mission to promote offshore powerboat racing alongside conservation, recreation and economic growth across the region.
National Recognition
Waterfest continues to earn statewide recognition for how it runs the event. It was recently named the 2025-2026 Florida Sports Foundation “Best Hosted Event of the Year” for a Small Market, an honour confirmed at the Florida Sports Summit in June, and was also selected as one of the Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 Events, the third time Waterfest has received that distinction.
Ray Labadie, President of Englewood Beach Waterfest, credited the volunteers and partners behind the event’s growth.
This event continues to grow because of the incredible support we receive from our volunteers, sponsors, race teams, and community partners. We’re proud to welcome the nation’s best offshore racers back to Englewood Beach and showcase everything our community has to offer.
Second Dry Pits Facility Added
This year’s championship features the acquisition of a second 10-acre dry pits facility at the Englewood Sports Complex. The new paved staging area adds space for approximately 40 additional race teams and is built to accommodate the largest offshore classes, including Class 1 and Super Cat, along with their support equipment.
The 2,400-square-foot Conservation Village also returns, reinforcing Waterfest’s commitment to environmental education. The interactive village features exhibits from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Mote Marine Laboratory, Lemon Bay High School Aqua Lab and Marine Club, Peace River K-9 Search and Rescue, the Englewood Conservancy, Sea Turtle Rescue and other community partners, giving visitors the chance to learn about Florida’s coastal ecosystems and the work being done to preserve them.
Additional 2026 Highlights
The purse carries potential to grow further depending on final boat count and participation from invited Class 1 and Super Cat teams. Two heavy-lift cranes have been secured to improve launching and recovery operations throughout race weekend, and SSR Safety continues to provide on-water safety and rescue cover. Organisers also confirmed ongoing discussions with the ThunderCat racing organisation to expand future racing opportunities, following productive meetings earlier this season.
Community Backing
Englewood Beach Waterfest credited the Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners and Visit Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach, Pure Florida for their continued partnership and tourism investment, support the organisation says has played a vital role in the event’s growth and its economic impact across Charlotte County.
Get Involved
Sponsorship opportunities, volunteer information and race schedules for the 2026 Englewood Beach Waterfest are available now.
Visit Englewood Beach Waterfest
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.
