Clearwater Offshore Nationals 2026: Schedule, Where to Watch

APBA national-championship powerboat racing comes to Clearwater Beach Sep 25-27, 2026. Around 90 boats, free beach viewing, Dry Pits at Sand Key Park — full schedule, where to watch, parking and trolley info.

Quick Answer

The XINSURANCE Clearwater Offshore Nationals brings APBA national-championship powerboat racing to Clearwater Beach September 25–27, 2026. Around 90 boats across multiple classes race on a course just off the beach, with the first turn about 100 yards from Pier 60. Watching from the sand is free, and the Dry Pits at Sand Key Park are free to walk too. Racing runs roughly 10:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, with awards Sunday at 7 p.m.

What the Clearwater Offshore Nationals Is

Every September, Clearwater Beach becomes a racecourse. The XINSURANCE Clearwater Offshore Nationals is a stop on the APBA National Championship Series, and it is the final Florida race before the World Championships in Key West in November. It is organized by Race World Offshore, the same series that runs the Key West finale.

The entry list runs about 90 boats across classes that range from compact V-hulls to 50-foot catamarans. The top Class 1 boats hit roughly 160 mph on the straights, and most classes race at 140 mph or faster (figures from the Race World Offshore entry list and class specs, checked September 2026).

What makes Clearwater's stop unusual is how close it all happens to shore. The course runs parallel to the beach, and the first turn sits roughly 100 yards off Pier 60. You can stand on the sand, barefoot, and watch national-championship boats swing around a turn at race speed. No tickets, no grandstands required.

2026 Schedule, Day by Day

All times below are from Race World Offshore and the event's official spectator listings (checked September 2026). Race days can shift with weather, so treat this as the plan of record and check the organizer's site race morning.

Thursday, September 24: Festivities

The weekend officially opens with festivities around the beach, before any boats turn a race lap. Evenings during race weekend bring block parties along the beach corridor with live music and vendor zones. A good warm-up night if you're already in town.

Friday, September 25: Testing Day

Teams run offshore testing from about noon to 3:30 p.m. This is the first chance to see and hear the boats on the course, at a more relaxed pace than race day. It is also the quietest beach day of the weekend, if you want the sand more than the spectacle. Friday night brings the official Welcome Party — a beachfront kickoff celebration with drivers, throttlemen, crews, and fans.

Saturday, September 26: Qualifying and Racing

Qualifying starts at 10:45 a.m. with the headline classes (Class 1, Class 2, Super Cat, and Super Stock), followed by four races running through about 3 p.m. The Dry Pits at Sand Key Park, where the teams stage and service the boats, are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with free entrance. Saturday night, the Beach Bash takes over with live entertainment, drinks, and a Gulf Coast evening — Shephard's Beach Resort hosts the race weekend's signature party from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., free to attend.

Sunday, September 27: Finals and Awards

Sunday is the main event: five races starting at 10:45 a.m., running the full class field. The awards ceremony closes the weekend at 7 p.m. Sunday. If you only get one day on the sand for this, Sunday is the one.

Where to Watch the Races

Pier 60 and the beach in front of it. The first turn sits about 100 yards offshore, so the sand around Pier 60 is the closest free seat in the house. Arrive early on Saturday and Sunday; the good towel-sized real estate goes fast. Pier 60 is also the nightly sunset spot, and our Clearwater Beach sunset guide covers the area in detail.

Anywhere on Clearwater Beach. The course runs parallel to the shoreline, so almost any stretch of public sand gives you a view. North of Pier 60 tends to be less crowded than the pier itself.

Sand Key Park and the Dry Pits. The Dry Pits, where the race teams work on the boats between sessions, sit at Sand Key Park (1060 Gulf Blvd) and are open Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with free entrance. It is the one place you can see the boats up close, talk to crews, and photograph hardware that costs more than most houses. The park is also a quieter viewing spot for the offshore action.

From the water. StarLite Cruises runs a race-day dining cruise on Sunday aboard its dining yacht, with breakfast and lunch buffet service while the races run. Book ahead; race-weekend cruises sell out. If you'd rather be on the water under your own steam, our boat tours and dolphin cruises guide covers the regular operators.

From a beachfront bar. Several beachfront hotels and bars run watch parties all weekend, with DJs and dancing. Shephard's Beach Resort is the hub: its Saturday night party (8 p.m. to 2 a.m.) is free and open.

Getting There: Parking and the Trolley

Take the Jolley Trolley if you can. Race weekend is one of the busiest weekends of the Clearwater fall calendar, and beach parking fills early. The Jolley Trolley runs along the beach corridor and connects the Pier 60 area to the Sand Key Park entrance. The fare is $2.25 one way, payable with tap-to-pay, the Flamingo Fares app, or exact change.

If you drive: Sand Key Park has a large lot at $6 per day (Pinellas County's posted rate), which is also where the Dry Pits are. Beachfront lots and meters fill fastest near Pier 60; the Clearwater Beach parking guide has the full lot-by-lot breakdown with current rates.

First visit? The first-timer's guide to Clearwater Beach covers beach orientation, the Mandalay parking garage, and the trolley in more detail.

Where to Stay for Race Weekend

Race weekend coincides with Oktoberfest events in Pinellas County, so beachfront rooms book earlier than a typical late September weekend. Book now if you're coming from out of town.

The simplest strategy is to stay directly on the race course. Hotels along the beach give you a balcony view of the action and put you walking distance from the block parties. Shephard's Beach Resort and the Sheraton Sand Key put you next to the Dry Pits and on the quieter end of the course. Our where to stay in Clearwater guide compares the beachfront options, including which ones are closest to Pier 60.

Tips for First-Timers and Families

It is genuinely free. There is no ticketed area. Watching from the beach and walking the Dry Pits cost nothing. That also makes this one of the entries on our free things to do in Clearwater Beach list where you get a national championship for the price of a beach towel.
Go early for a spot near Pier 60. By race time the closest sand is packed.
Bring water and shade. Races run from late morning to mid-afternoon, the strongest sun of the day.
Saturday for the full experience, Sunday for the racing. If one day: Sunday. If two: add Saturday's Dry Pits in the morning.
Ear protection for little kids. The boats are loud, especially near the first turn.
Book the Sunday cruise or your hotel in advance. Race weekend plus Oktoberfest is a busy weekend on the beach.

FAQ

Is the Clearwater Offshore Nationals free? Yes. Spectating from the beach and entering the Dry Pits at Sand Key Park are both free. Optional extras, like the Sunday race-day cruise, are paid.

What time are the races? Racing runs from about 10:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, and from about 10:45 a.m. Sunday, with the awards ceremony at 7 p.m. Sunday. Friday is a testing day, noon to about 3:30 p.m.

Can you watch from the beach? Yes, that is the main way to watch. The course runs parallel to the shoreline and the first turn is roughly 100 yards off Pier 60.

Where do you park for the boat races? Sand Key Park is the closest large lot at $6 per day, next to the Dry Pits. The Jolley Trolley connects the beach corridor to the Sand Key entrance for $2.25 each way.

What is the fastest boat class? Class 1 catamarans top out around 160 mph, and most classes race at 140 mph or faster.

Do I need a boat or a tour to see the races? No. The beach is the front row. Water viewing options, like StarLite's Sunday dining cruise, are a bonus rather than a requirement.

Event details verified against raceworldoffshore.com, the event's official spectator listings, and apba.org in September 2026. Schedules can change with weather; confirm race-morning times with the organizer.