Tales and Topics from the Panhandle to the Keys – Northeast Florida Offers Big City and Backwoods Sports Opportunities
Northeast Florida Offers Big City and Backwoods Sports Opportunities
By Nick Gandy
As the St. John’s River flows its unusual south to north direction, it passes through two distinctly different sources of sports tourism as it nears the Atlantic Ocean in Florida’s northeast corner of the state.
Winding north through Putnam County, and its county seat of Palatka, it finds fishing boats and nature enthusiasts seeking diverse plant and animal life supporting manatees, bald eagles and countless species of fish, including the prize largemouth bass of the area.
In another 50 miles to the northeast, it passes through Jacksonville, a major metropolitan area with a NFL franchise undergoing a billion-dollar stadium renovation. A project to bring Everbank Stadium, also along the banks of the St. Johns, to the top of the NFL stadium pecking order.
FSF President/CEO Maicel Green recently paid a visit to the northeast Florida industry partners (pictured at right with Kimberly Morgan, Putnam County Vice President of Tourism) and went against the current, beginning her trip in Jacksonville. She took in the current renovation project before the Jaguars pre-season opener next weekend with the Carolina Panthers.
The Jags, coming off of an AFC South Division title in 2025 with a 13-4 record, will play the 2026 season at Everbank Stadium. While the stadium is in full renovation mode during the 2027 season, the Jaguars will play their home games in Orlando’s Camping World Stadium.
Plans call for a reimagined “Stadium of the Future,” with an environmentally friendly and cost-effective structure that showcases state-of-the-art innovation. A next-generation transparent protective shell providing sun, wind and rain protection and reduce heat retention by 70+ percent.
This renovation ensures the continuation of the annual traditions of the Florida-Georgia Football Classic and TaxSlayer Gator Bowl while also opening opportunities for future Super Bowls, Final Four tournaments, college football playoffs, marquee concerts and more.
The stadium will continue to be the anchor of a downtown sports complex also featuring the Vystar Ballpark, home of the current International League Champions and AAA minor league affiliate of the Miami Marlins, the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, and the Vystar Arena. On the upcoming Arena calendar is the Jacksonville Hoops Showdown, the weekend of December 18-20, featuring the Florida Gators and Florida State Seminoles, against the Houston Cougars, who were defeated by the Gators in the 2025 NCAA Championship Game.
Leaving the hustle and bustle of Interstate 10 and 95 and large population base of the northeast Florida metropolitan area, FSF President Green traveled upstream to Putnam County. Numerous boat ramps, boat houses, boat rentals, marinas, nature parks and nature tours line the riverfront, in and around Palatka, the county seat.
Putnam County is home to 3 of the “Top 10” bass fisheries in Florida – the St. Johns River, Crescent Lake and Rodman Reservoir. Rodman also made #14 of the top 100 most productive bass fisheries in the nation by Bassmaster Magazine.
Known as the “Bass Capital of the World”, Putnam County also offers a list of other freshwater and saltwater or brackish-water fishing. Freshwater species include the largemouth bass, black crappie (speckled perch), bluegill, shell cracker, warmouth and catfish.
The leisure fishing industry brings an $8 billion economic impact annually to Florida, according to a Florida Sports Foundation economic impact survey compiled in 2021. Besides the St. John’s River, fishers in Putnam County can also drop a line into Crescent Lake, the Rodman Reservoir and the Ocklawaha River.
When not rollin on the river, President Green stopped by a few other northeast Florida industry partners.
Besides the 450 years of history in St. Augustine, the St. Augustine Ponte Vedra Area offers up plenty of fields and facilities including the TPC Sawgrass Golf Course, home of the annual Tournament Players Championship (TPC), which is known as the 5th Major.
Clay County offers more nature and wildlife opportunities but also features traditional sports complexes like the Clay County Regional Sports Complex, with the ability to host soccer, lacrosse, flag football, field hockey, spike ball, and ultimate.
The Sunshine State Games partnered with Clay County for Canoe/Kayak, Disc Golf, Pickleball and Ultimate competitions in 2021 and 2022.
Finally, after a short jaunt on Interstate 10 West, it was a visit to Columbia County, which is embracing its status as a baseball and softball hotbed, with 25 fields combined at the Southside Sports Complex.
In a first for Florida, Lake City-Columbia County will host the Strongman Champions League (SCL) international competition, at Olustee Park in downtown Lake City, Florida, on Saturday, October 10. It features 14 professional international strongman athletes, a 74,000-pound fire truck pull, special guests, and spectacular feats of strength.
Interstate 95 welcomes millions of visitors into Florida on an annual basis. The first thing they see in our uniquely shaped state is the northeast corner. While it may not have the amenities offered in other parts of the state, it’s unique in its own way.
Like a river flowing in an unusual direction.
Nick Gandy is a 40-year sports communications professional who has worked with the Florida Sports Foundation, the state of Florida’s lead sports promotion and development organization, since 1998.
August 17, 2026Legal Disclaimer:
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