Let’s Get Rowdy! Tampa Bay Rowdies Soccer is the Best Family Night Out in St. Pete
As an Orlando-based writer, when I first planned a weekend getaway to the Tampa area for Labor Day fun, a soccer match didn’t even cross my mind. Sure, I looked up to see if the Rays would be playing, if there were any fun festivals going on for the long holiday weekend, or if there were any new restaurants I could try for the weekend away, but never did I think of soccer.
In Orlando we have the Pride and the Orlando City Men’s team, and since Spain’s epic win during the World Cup, my whole family has been itching to get near the pitch for a fun night out.
Then I stumbled upon it — the Tampa Bay Rowdies. This ULS team is a second-division, St. Pete-based crew, and they put on a really fun night out.
Below, learn about the Tampa Bay Rowdies games and how to plan a wholesome family evening from start to finish, from buying tickets to where to eat before the match, and some locals-only secrets to maximizing your fun.
A Family Day Out with the Tampa Bay Rowdies
Tampa Bay Rowdies Match Schedule
Every season has theme nights to get the fans hyped up with free merch and more discounts, like Military Appreciation Night, Hispanic heritage Night, and a unique “Ruff & Rowdies Night” where you can even bring your dog to the game.
Rowdies matches happen practically all year, from March through October, so finding a match that works for your schedule should be easy. Look for the special theme nights that include fireworks, too!
Upcoming Tampa Bay Rowdies Games:
- Saturday, September 26 VS San Antonio FC
- Saturday, October 3 VS Miami FC
- Saturday, October 10 VS Indy Eleven
- Saturday, October 17 VS Detroit City FC
- Saturday, October 24 VS Sporting JAX
What to Expect at a Rowdies Game
The first thing you’ll notice at a Rowdies game is the stadium – it’s an old baseball field! The curved bleachers hug the far corner of the pitch, with a small bleacher section along the opposite field line.
The unique shape makes a Rowdies game feel altogether cozy, like I was visiting my local high school for a Friday night football game. The drum line beat away for the whole game from the fan section, bringing me straight back to my days in the marching band.
The hype-man stood on a pedestal of the fan area, shouting chants and diddies for the crowd to clap and repeat, and occasionally colorful yellow and green smoke bombs would go off, blasting the nearby bleachers with dusty spirit.
Warning: If this bothers you, sit on the right-hand sections of the bleacher map. Be sure to wear green and yellow to support the team!
Locals know that ‘the hill’ is a kid-friendly haven; although adjacent to the fan area, it’s a perfect oasis for letting kids run amok during a game. The hill is a steep grassy area where neighbors and friends grab a beer from the nearby stall and watch their kids play tag, climb the stair structures and just have simple ballgame-style fun. ‘The hill’ is also a great place to perch for after-game fireworks on specialty nights.
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Kids can enjoy the typical concessions like ice cream, pizza, and giant pretzels — which, if you are lucky, you can snag the leftovers for free after the game. They were just handing them out as we left!
Where to Go Before a Match
Located right on the bay, not far from the amazing Glazer Family Playground on the St. Pete Pier, the stadium is practically in the center of everything.
Fans like to go to Ford’s Garage, where we got in quickly, enjoyed cheap well drinks, and had some delicious Ford’s favorites like their pork nachos, chicken wings, and burgers.
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Parking and Other Logistics
There is street parking along the street, but it’s only good for two hours. We parked in the Ford’s Garage structure, where they validated for three hours, making our whole meal-stop and game only $6 for the whole night. We were instructed to park at level P4 or above, in order to not get towed.
The stadium also has a lot provided next to it, but I imagine rates there are higher than seeking other city parking.
A note on bags: check the website for the latest, but when we went, you could only bring a bag/purse into the stadium that was about the size of a sheet of paper. Women were being turned away with larger purses, so just pack light, like a small sling bag. They do not need to be see-through.
Buying Tickets for Rowdies Matches
Visit the Tampa Bay Rowdies website to purchase tickets for any of their upcoming games! They offer awesome discounts for teachers, students, military and first responders, and the FAMILY PACK.
The family pack is an awesome deal, making a $25 ticket a breezy $15 ticket when you buy 4 or more tickets at a time. I went with my husband, daughter, old college buddy, and his daughter. We made for a very happy family with our discounted seats!
Pro-Tip: Every seat is great. No need to worry about being ‘in the nosebleeds’. Once we arrived, it was obvious that all the seats were about the same.
Getting There From Orlando
If you’re Orlando-based like me, listen up:
The familiar Orlando to Tampa Bay drive takes anywhere from 2-3 hours, depending on traffic, and Amtrak runs daily routes around 10 or 11 in the morning, arriving just after lunchtime around 12:30 p.m. or 1 p.m. It is a cheap and fun option for travel, but not always reliable.
Book the ‘Flex’ fares for a few dollars more to save yourself a headache if there are delays. I had booked a train for our Rowdies day, but it was delayed by more than four hours, so we got a full refund on the day of travel. The return train doesn’t go back to Orlando until about 6 p.m. the next day.
Experiencing a Tampa Bay Rowdies Game Overall
If you’re an Orlando soccer fan or a Tampa Bay local looking for a great family night out in St. Pete, go out and support the Tampa Bay Rowdies! You’ll feel right at home in their welcoming stadium and have a very memorable night out with family.
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