Jacksonville, arguably the athletic capital of the Atlantic coast, is a virtual sporting mecca, with enough college and professional teams and events to satisfy a diverse range of passions.

Fiercely devoted to local teams and regional favorites, the city displays an unbridled enthusiasm for both the athletic competitions and the legions of fans traveling to the city each year for some of the most recognized annual sporting events in the country.

With a talent for tailgating and a passion for all sports, local residents have honed the art of the sports celebration and welcome guests to partake in the fun. While football remains the undisputed king of the fall, Jacksonville expresses a love of the game - any game - with equal fervor.

Jacksonville Jaguars
Since entering the National Football League in 1995, the Jacksonville Jaguars have forged a path as one of the most successful expansion franchises in the history of the NFL. Since their inception into the league, the team hosts over 70,000 fans on game days. Home to the Jaguars and Super Bowl XXXIX, Jacksonville Municipal Stadium is situated on 10 acres in Downtown Jacksonville within the Sports and Entertainment Complex, just steps away from the St. Johns River.

Florida-Georgia Football Classic
One of college football's most legendary rivalries, the Florida-Georgia Football Classic is played annually at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium. A game as rich in talent as it is in tradition, past players have included gridiron greats Herschel Walker and Emmitt Smith. This showdown always draws a huge crowd and those who return year after year find that the activities outside of the stadium are almost as much fun as those taking place on the field. Fans can enjoy pep rallies, games and decorated motor homes inspired by the respective alma maters in RV City right outside the stadium.

Konica Minolta Gator Bowl
An annual battle between the ACC and the Big East, the Big 12 or Notre Dame, the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl has showcased the talents of football legends Dan Marino and Peyton Manning within its storied history over 65 years. In 1955, the Gator Bowl Classic was the first coast-to-coast television broadcast of a college Bowl game and has been nationally televised every year since. A weeklong celebration of parties, activities and attractions for fans leads up to the storied football matchups taking place on New Years Day.

Jacksonville Barracudas
Members of the Southern Professional Hockey League, the Jacksonville Barracudas bring the excitement of minor league hockey to the Jacksonville Ice arena November through March of each year. Hard-hitting action and excitement make this an affordable outing for the entire family.

Jacksonville Suns
The Jacksonville Suns, the Double-A minor league affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers continue to excite fans as they make the chase for the Southern League division each year. Their $34 million ballpark, christened The Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville, has a seating capacity of 10,000. The "boys of summer" hold court as one of the city's hottest family attractions during their April - September season.

THE PLAYERS Championship
THE PLAYERS Championship, brings the world's best golfers to Northeast Florida every May. Watch as Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and others take to the greens at the famous 17th island green hole. The host course, TPC at Sawgrass recently underwent a multi-million dollar, eight-month renovation. The renovation was initiated to ensure firm, fast and fair conditions for the best players in the world during THE PLAYERS Championship and to provide world-class playing conditions for resort guests throughout the year. The construction of a majestic new 77,000 square-foot Mediterranean Revival-style clubhouse was completed in April 2007, significantly enhancing the overall experience of players and fans when the strongest field in professional golf returns each year to the course.

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 Sisters Creek Park on the Intracoastal Waterway, this event brings professional and amateur anglers vie for the 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, kids' play area and live entertainment.

For more sporting events, Jacksonville welcomes fans of skateboarding, equestrian events and rugby, Out of the Box Sports