Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix 2025 Races Canceled: Reports

SARASOTA, FL — The Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix, one of the region’s biggest annual events, was canceled for 2025, according to multiple reports.

Powerboat P1, which produces the event, expressed budget concerns as well as potential issues connected with ongoing construction in the area where the races take place for The Bay’s master plan, including the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Parking lot and Centennial Park, according to the Observer.

Organizers were concerned about how this might affect “the quality of the event,” Pete Harvey, director of sports for Visit Sarasota County, reportedly said.

“We are incredibly grateful for the many years of support and partnership from Visit Sarasota, who has been instrumental in the event’s long-standing success as a Presenting Sponsor. Because of this support, Sarasota has become a premier destination in offshore racing, and we deeply value everything Visit Sarasota has contributed, making this an iconic event for the community and a highlight of the race season,” Thomas Covington, commercial director for Powerboat P1, said, according to ABC 7.

Though there were initial talks about producing a smaller offshore racing event, “we feel scaling down the event would not do justice to the legacy Sarasota has built over the years,” Covington added.

Organizers are hopeful about the event returning to Sarasota in 2026, WFLA said.

Powerboat P1 will host races in Cocoa Beach, New Orleans, Sheboygan and St. Petersburg this year, according toits website.