Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach, FL — June 23, 2026 — The highly anticipated American Powerboat Association (APBA) World Championship will be the thrilling finale at Englewood Beach Waterfest October 8th through the 11th. This fall will mark the 12th year of speedboat racing on Englewood Beach. Waterfest draws people far and wide, averaging an impressive 32,000 guests throughout the weekend. Englewood Beach Waterfest, Inc. is a non-profit, 100% volunteer-run organization that highlights speedboat racing and water activities to promote and support conservation and recreation. The APBA Championship is a three-race event with Waterfest holding the final race, bringing both national and international recognition to the area.
Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach’s Waterfest recently won the “Best Hosted Event of the Year for Small Market” for 2025-26 by the Florida Sports Foundation and was selected as one of the Top 20 Festivals by the Southeast Tourism Society in 2023, marking its third time being recognized with this award. It is made possible by a dedicated team of over 400 volunteers, eager to help from start to finish, producing a spectacular event by hosting the final race of the season where the APBA World Champions will be crowned.
The hidden gem Florida destination, Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach, makes for an incredible race setting due to its unique day-to-day water conditions, from calm waters to larger waves. In addition, the community support in Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach is unwavering with extraordinary safety measures, from helicopters overhead to protect race drivers and marine life, to the local fire department’s rescue boat on standby, to ensure safety for all participants.
The teams for Waterfest will be arriving on Thursday and Friday where they will start safety inspections, a driver’s meeting and a race position qualifier. On Friday October 9th, excitement will spark in the community with the Annual Block Party on historic Dearborn Street. Racing kicks off on Saturday, October 10 and continues through Sunday, October 11. The top three winners will be celebrated at the awards ceremony.
For more information, tickets, or volunteer inquiries, please visit: https://englewoodbeachwaterfest.com/
About Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach
Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting all of Charlotte County, Fl as a world-class destination. We work with a variety of stakeholders to develop and implement marketing programs that attract visitors, generate economic benefits and enhance the quality of life for residents.
Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach is Florida’s best-kept secret of a charming natural paradise located on the idyllic Southwest Gulf Coast. This coastal community surrounding the state’s second-largest harbor sits conveniently between Tampa and Naples. Outdoor enthusiasts will find a haven of vibrant experiences in the sun-soaked oasis of the Southwest Florida islands, characterized by almost year-round sunshine and sub-tropical weather. Relaxation and discovery await in miles of waterways and inland exploration trails filled with unspoiled natural beauty. From beaches to boating, hiking to harbor tours, fishing to nature paths; to sun, shelling, and fossilized sharks’ teeth, Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach immerses lively locals and active adventurers in a pure island experience. Most notably known for its 230 miles of pristine unparalleled shoreline, including captivating river passages, a mangrove-edged aquatic preserve, and more than a dozen miles of natural Gulf beaches, the Charlotte Harbor Gulf Island Coast includes the areas of Boca Grande, Don Pedro Island, Englewood-Cape Haze, Little Gasparilla Island, Manasota Key, Knight Island, Placida, Babcock Ranch, Port Charlotte, Charlotte Harbor and Punta Gorda.
To learn more about Punta Gorda / Englewood Beach, visit www.PureFlorida.com, call 941.743.1900 or discover the destination on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @RealPureFlorida.
Punta Gorda Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau Contact:
Lois Croft – Director of Public Relations
Lois.croft@pureflorida.com | (941) 743-1900