Following the Florida State Championship, USA BMX Gator Nationals Bring Top Riders to Tampa - Arrr You Ready?
Tampa’s track takes the spotlight once again for three days of elite racing and fan-fueled excitement, with a pirate-themed kickoff featuring the Ye Mystic Krewe
TULSA, OK —Fresh off the Florida State Championship, Tampa BMX is set to welcome hundreds of BMX riders Oct. 24-26 for the USA BMX Gator Nationals, with a special appearance by members of the Ye Mystic Krewe in celebration of the city’s pirate heritage. Energy and adrenaline will take over the track as top pros and dedicated amateurs compete in a weekend that captures the grit, passion and pulse of BMX racing.
Marking the 27th stop of the 2025 USA BMX National Series, the three-day biking competition will be held at Tampa BMX at 17302 N Dale Mabry Hwy. Races begin at 1:30 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. Sunday with competitors racing well into the evening. Spectators can experience the adrenaline firsthand as they watch their favorite riders push the limits all weekend long.
In a nod to Tampa’s pirate heritage and the annual Gasparilla Pirate Festival, members of the Ye Mystic Krewe will be on hand for the Gator Nationals kickoff event on Friday, Oct. 24. Their presence adds a festive, hometown flair to the opening of a weekend full of high-energy BMX racing.
“On behalf of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission and Visit Tampa Bay, we are thrilled to welcome BMX racers from throughout the country, along with their families, to one of the top tracks and destinations in Florida,” said Jason Aughey, senior vice president of sports tourism at the Tampa Bay Sports Commission. “Working hand in hand with our partners at Tampa BMX and Hillsborough County, our goal is to create memorable experiences for all visitors, both at the track and throughout their time in our destination. The opportunity to host a State Series and Gator Nationals on back-to-back weekends speaks volumes to this community’s capabilities and we appreciate USA BMX’s trust in us to deliver two high-quality events.”
Local riders have been preparing for the nationals event by participating in numerous clinics, said Brian Bigelow, track operator of Tampa BMX, including a skills and race clinic led by Jack Davis of Ssquared BMX Frames, who taught foundational BMX skills and drills for riders to progress in their competitive racing journey.
“Tampa BMX has become a true showcase of dedication and talent, both for our local riders and the national BMX community,” said Bigelow. “After hosting the Florida State Championship, it’s so exciting to welcome riders right back for the Gator Nationals. Back-to-back events like these show how strong and passionate Florida’s BMX scene is, and how ready our track is to deliver another unforgettable weekend of racing!”
WHAT
- USA BMX Gator Nationals
WHEN
- Friday - Sunday, October 24-26, 2025
- Friday: Racing begins at 1:30 p.m.
- Saturday: Racing begins at 9:00 a.m
- Sunday: Racing begins at 8:00 a.m.
WHERE
- Tampa BMX
17302 N Dale Mabry Hwy
Lutz, FL 33548
COST
● Free admission
● Parking is $10 per day, weekend parking passes are available for $25
About USA BMX
Established as the American Bicycle Association in 1977 and headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, ABA is the nation’s largest cycling organization with more than 70,000 members with combined racing and freestyle events at more than 300 sanctioned BMX tracks across the United States and Canada. ABA empowers and elevates the early stages of bicycle development by creating opportunities through facility development, programs, and national events. As a result, ABA has developed a structured blueprint. A cyclist can progress from humble beginnings on a balance bike to becoming a BMX Olympian by establishing these roots.
Through STEAM, scholarships, freestyle amateur events, the national series, the Olympics and new facilities built across the United States, these four pillars under the USA BMX organization will impact young riders and families: USA BMX Foundation, USA BMX Freestyle, USA BMX Racing and ABA Ethos.
