Big ticket gift options locally: CFP, NHL Winter Classic, OB, World Cup, WWE
What to get someone for the holidays?
Well, with so many big time sports events in South Florida and Tampa, tickets can make a great gift.
Here’s a list of some of the more high-profile options.
(Pricing free to thousands and may not include fees)
AT&T College Football Playoffs National Championship Game
At Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens
7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19, 2026
This concludes the 2025-26 College Football Playoff, with the expanded 12-team tournament starting with first-round games in mid-December 2025, followed by quarterfinals and semifinals before the championship game.
The University of Miami was selected to compete in the tournament to crown college football’s national champion at its home stadium.
(Tickets remaining starting at $2,550)
https://www.ticketmaster.com/collegefootballplayoff
CFP FanFest
At the Miami Beach Convention Center
10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16 thru Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026
A free family-friendly event that includes games, clinics, pep rallies, autograph signings and more in celebration of the College Football Playoff National Championship. No ticket required.
Web: CFPFanCentral
Capital One Orange Bowl Football Game
At Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens
Noon, Thursday Jan. 1, 2026
One of the biggest college football bowl games annually, this time it is a big part of the College Football Playoff tournament, featuring a quarterfinal game.
No.4 Texas Tech against the winner of No.5 Oregon and No.12 James Madison.
(Tickets remaining starting at $222)
ReliaQuest Bowl Football Game
At Raymond James Stadium in Tampa
Noon, Wednesday, Dec. 31
No.14 Vanderbilt vs. No.23 Iowa
(Tickets remaining starting at $80)
2026 FIFA World Cup (Soccer)
At Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens
Group Stage Matches:
6 p.m., Monday, June 15, 2026: Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay
(Tickets remaining starting at $304 via SeatGeek)
6 p.m. Sunday, June 21, 2026: Uruguay vs. Cape Verde
(Tickets remaining starting at $286 via SeatGeek)
6 p.m. Wednesday, June 24, 2026: Brazil vs. Scotland
(Tickets remaining starting at $1,236 via SeatGeek)
7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 27, 2026: Portugal vs. Colombia
(Tickets remaining starting at $1,852 via SeatGeek)
Round of 32 (Match 86):
6 p.m.. Friday, July 3, 2026
The winner of Group J (Argentina, Algeria, Austria, or Jordan) plays the Group H runner-up (Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, or Uruguay).
(Tickets remaining starting at $1,428 via SeatGeek)
Quarterfinal (Match 99):
5 p.m., Saturday, July 11, 2026
(Tickets remaining starting at $1,886 via SeatGeek)
Bronze Final (Match 103):
5 p.m., Saturday, July 18, 2026
(Tickets remaining starting at $1,152 via SeatGeek)
The biggest soccer tournament in the world and one of sports premier events comes to South Florida as countries battle to see who is the best of the best, winning that prestigious trophy.
Tickets for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Miami can be purchased through official FIFA sales phases (primarily a random selection draw system and a final first-come, first-served phase) and via official hospitality providers or accredited third-party vendors, like SeatGeek.
The official source for standard match tickets is the official FIFA website at https://www.fifa.com/en/tickets. The process is run in various phases, mostly through randomized draws.
Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series (Hockey)
At Raymond James Stadium in Tampa
6:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026
The football stadium, home to the NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneers, will feature a special NHL game between the 3-time Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning and the six-time Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins.
It’s not too far from the Lighnting’s home, the Benchmark International Arena in Tampa.
(Tickets remaining starting at $157)
Discover NHL Winter Classic (Hockey)
At loanDepot park in Hialeah/Miami
8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2
The ballpark, home to the MLB Miami Marlins, will house a special NHL game between the 2-time defending NHL Stanley Cup champions Florida Panthers and the four-time Stanley Cup champion New York Rangers.
It’s not too far from the Panthers home, the Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise.
(Tickets remaining starting at $200)
Enterprise NHL Winter Classic Fanfest
At loanDepot park (West Lot 3 and the West Plaza) in Hialeah/Miami
2-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2
NHL and its corporate partners will treat hockey fans to many fun interactions and experiences, including family-friendly hockey interactives, giveaways, food, an NHL on TNT concert, and a special appearance by the oldest and most revered trophy in sports – the Stanley Cup.
For NHL Winter Classic ticket holders only.
WWE (Pro Wrestling)
At American Bank Arena in Sunrise
7:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 20, 2026
Home to the 2-time defending NHL Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, the Amerant Bank Arena will house one of WWE’s biggest weekly TV shows -- Friday Night SmackDown on the USA Network.
WWE, the biggest pro wrestling/sports entertainment company in the world, is under the TKO Group banner, which also includes the top MMA promotion UFC.
WWE will also be in Fort Myers for the company’s annual Holiday Tour in late December.
Tampa is also on the Holiday Tour schedule in Florida.
Here is an audio interview I conducted with him via phone before his main event match with Gunther in the finals of the John Cena Last Time is Now Tournament on “Friday Night SmackDown.”
WWE in Tampa, Fort Myers, Sunrise
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 27 at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa.
(Tickets remaining starting at $57)
https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0D00634D9E8B342D
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30 at Hertz Arena in Estero, near Fort Myers.
(Tickets remaining starting at $54)
https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0D006348A5E83199
7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, 2026 at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise.
(Tickets remaining starting at $71)
https://seatgeek.com/wwe-friday-night-smackdown-tickets/wwe/2026-02-20-8-pm/17873101
For more information and ticket options, go to:
This story was originally published December 15, 2025 at 3:15 PM.
