The St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show 2027
Event Date
January 14–17, 2027
Location
St. Petersburg, FL
About This Show
AI-drafted summaryThe St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show, presented by Progressive, is billed as the largest boat show on Florida's Gulf Coast and the longest-running boat show on the state's west coast. Held each January along St. Petersburg's downtown waterfront, the show transforms the Duke Energy Center for the Arts Mahaffey Theater Yacht Basin and Albert Whitted Park into a boater's paradise, with hundreds of powerboats and sailboats displayed both in the water and on land.
Attendees can browse everything from kayaks, personal watercraft, fishing boats, and family cruisers to luxury yachts, plus a 40,000-square-foot tent housing marine gear, accessories, equipment, and nautical art. Both new and brokerage boats are on display, making the event a one-stop destination for first-time buyers and experienced captains alike.
Beyond the vessels, the show offers complimentary attractions including educational seminars, Kids' Fishing Clinics with Captain Don Dingman of "Hook the Future," and on-water boat training courses with the Annapolis School of Seamanship and Progressive. The event draws boating enthusiasts from across Florida as well as seasonal visitors, and it has been recognized among USA Today's 10Best boat shows in the country.
Show Highlights
- Largest boat show on the Gulf Coast, with more than 350 powerboats and sailboats displayed in-water and on-land
- A 40,000-square-foot tent filled with marine gear, accessories, equipment, and nautical art
- New and brokerage boats ranging from center-console fishing boats and kayaks to luxury yachts and sailboats
- Daily seminars and fishing clinics, including Kids' Fishing Clinics with Captain Don Dingman of "Hook the Future"
- On-Water Boat Courses with the Annapolis School of Seamanship and Progressive
- Culinary experiences and sustainability programming
- Charitable tie-in supporting Tampa Bay Watch, a local waterway-conservation nonprofit
Attendance
The show reports strong and growing turnout. At the 48th annual event in January 2026, organizers noted record-breaking Saturday attendance and more than 350 boats on display across the downtown waterfront. The show draws an affluent audience of out-of-town visitors and exhibitors, along with boating enthusiasts from across Florida and seasonal visitors to the St. Petersburg area. Specific total attendance figures are not published by the organizer.
Registration
Tickets must be purchased in advance online at stpeteboatshow.com — there is no box office on site.
- General admission: $24 for adults (2026 pricing; subject to change for 2027)
- Children 15 and under: free
- Active military and veterans: eligible for complimentary one-day general admission obtained in advance; military ID required at the entrance
When buying tickets, attendees also have the option to add a donation to Tampa Bay Watch at checkout.
History
The St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show is the longest-running boat show on Florida's west coast. The 48th annual edition took place in January 2026, placing the show's origins around 1978. Over the decades it has grown into the largest boat show on the Gulf Coast, further expanding when the Progressive Tampa Boat Show merged into the event. The show is presented by Progressive and produced by the U.S. Boat Shows division of Informa Markets, and it has been recognized among USA Today's 10Best boat shows in the country. It continues to deliver significant economic impact to downtown St. Petersburg, supporting local hotels, restaurants, and shops.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the 2027 St. Petersburg Power & Sailboat Show?
The show runs Thursday, January 14 through Sunday, January 17, 2027, at the Duke Energy Center for the Arts Mahaffey Theater Yacht Basin and Albert Whitted Park, 400 1st Street S, St. Petersburg, FL. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
How much are tickets and how do I buy them?
Tickets must be purchased in advance online at stpeteboatshow.com, as there is no box office on site. General admission was $24 for adults at the 2026 show, children 15 and under are free, and active military and veterans can obtain complimentary one-day admission in advance with valid military ID.
What can I see and do at the show?
Attendees can explore hundreds of powerboats and sailboats displayed in the water and on land, from kayaks and fishing boats to luxury yachts, plus a 40,000-square-foot tent full of marine gear and accessories. The show also offers free seminars, Kids' Fishing Clinics, and on-water boat training courses with the Annapolis School of Seamanship and Progressive.
Where should I park or how do I get there?
Preferred parking is at the Mahaffey Theater on the downtown waterfront, with additional options at the South Core and Sundial parking garages and the Al Lang Stadium lot (Thursday, Friday, and Sunday only). The free Downtown Looper Trolley stops at the Mahaffey and along First Street, and rideshare services are widely available.
Why is this show worth attending?
It is the largest and longest-running boat show on Florida's Gulf Coast, featuring more than 350 boats along with marine products and industry innovation in one waterfront location. It has been recognized among USA Today's 10Best boat shows in the country and set attendance records at its 2026 edition.
From the blog
Recent guides and industry insights for exhibitors and planners.
August 6, 2026Trade Show Lead Capture: What Actually Works
Why scan counts mislead, the three questions that qualify a visitor in thirty seconds, and the 48-hour follow-up window where trade show ROI is won or lost.
Read more
July 30, 2026Drayage Explained: The Trade Show Cost Nobody Warns You About
What material handling actually pays for, why it is billed per hundredweight, the surcharges that double estimates, and six decisions that genuinely reduce it.
Read more
July 23, 2026How to Choose the Right Trade Show for Your Business
Attendance numbers are close to useless on their own. Five questions that tell you whether a show will work, and how to build a portfolio instead of a list.
Read more
July 16, 2026The 12-Month Trade Show Planning Timeline
Every deadline that matters, counted backwards from show open — including the advance-order deadline that saves 20–40% and the 48-hour window that decides your ROI.
Read more
July 9, 2026Trade Show Booth Sizes Explained: 10x10 to Island
What each booth size actually gives you, the height and setback rules that catch first-timers, and how to size a booth from your staffing rather than your budget.
Read more
July 2, 2026What Does It Actually Cost to Exhibit at a Trade Show?
A line-by-line breakdown of the nine costs of exhibiting — including drayage and staff time, the two that blow up budgets and never appear in the quote.
Read more
June 10, 2026Top Trade Shows in Las Vegas in 2026
A guide to the biggest trade shows and exhibitor opportunities in Las Vegas through 2026 — dates, industries, exhibitor counts, and what each show is best for.
Read more- September 2, 2025tradeshows.fyi
Trade Shows Demystified: Your Ultimate Guide to Exhibiting, Attending, and Everything in Between
Introduction to Trade Shows Trade shows serve as significant events in various sectors, acting as a focal point
Read on tradeshows.fyi 
November 14, 2024tradeshows.fyi10 Essential Tips for Successfully Attending Trade Shows
10 Essential Tips for Attending Trade Shows Attending trade shows offers a unique platform to showcase products, network,
Read on tradeshows.fyi- November 13, 2024tradeshows.fyi
The Ultimate Trade Show Exhibitor Checklist: Planning, Preparation, and Execution
Trade Show Exhibiting Checklist Trade shows present a unique opportunity for exhibitors to showcase their products, network with
Read on tradeshows.fyi
Advertisement