As one of the season's biggest tests on the road to the World Championships, the XINSURANCE Clearwater Offshore Nationals on September 25-27, 2026, will feature the excitement of high-speed boat races just off the shoreline of beautiful Clearwater Beach.
See, hear and feel the thrill of high-speed boat races zipping through the Gulf along Clearwater Beach during the 2026 XINSURANCE Clearwater Offshore Nationals on September 25-27, 2026.
The weekend opens Friday, Sept. 25, when teams take to the Gulf for offshore testing. During race days Sept. 26-27, thousands of spectators will gather along the beach and at Clearwater's famous Pier 60 to witness more than 65 specially built power boats up to 50 feet long reach speeds of 140-plus mph as teams battle for APBA National Championship Series points, with one more Florida stop still to come before the World Championship races in Key West in November.
How to Watch the Clearwater Offshore Nationals
With a 5-mile-long race course stretching parallel to Clearwater Beach just off the shoreline, these action-packed boat races will be easy to see. In fact, the first turn of the race happens just about 100 yards off Pier 60.
Starlite Cruises will offer a special race-day cruise on Sept. 27 aboard its luxuriously appointed Infinity Dining Yacht, taking passengers through Clearwater Pass and out into the Gulf just north of Pier 60 to watch the races. During the eight-hour excursion, guests will enjoy a continental breakfast during the cruise out, plus a lunch buffet during the break between the first two races that day.
Some beachfront hotels also host race watch parties, with hot spots like Shephard's Beach Resort welcoming guests for DJs and dancing into the night.
No admission is charged at any of the race events.
Public Transportation to the Races and Dry Pits
For those who want to limit driving, several public transportation options are available to get spectators to the event. The Jolley Trolley will take you from Pier 60 to the entrance of Sand Key Park, where the race boats are based. The trolley accepts tap-to-pay, payment through the Flamingo Fares app, or exact change in cash (no pennies).
Clearwater Offshore Nationals 2026 Race Schedule
Friday, September 25: Offshore testing runs from noon to 3:30 pm.
Saturday, September 26: Qualifying for Class 1, Class 2, Super Cat and Super Stock starts at 10:45 am, followed by:
- Race 1 (Mod Vee, then Bracket Classes 6, 7 and Vee Limited) at 11:45 a.m.
- Race 2 (Class 1, then Super Vee) at 1 .pm.
- Race 3 (Super Cat, then Class 2) at 1:45 p.m.
- Race 4 (Super Stock) at 3 p.m.
Sunday, September 27: There will be five races, including:
- Race 1 (Mod Vee, then Bracket Classes 6, 7 and Vee Limited) at 10:45 a.m.
- Race 2 (Super Stock) at 11:45 a.m.
- Race 3 (Super Cat, then Class 2) at 1 p.m.
- Race 4 (Bracket Classes 2, 3 and 4, then Bracket Class 5) at 1:45 p.m.
- Race 5 (Class 1) at 3 p.m.
The awards ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. that Sunday evening at Marina Cantina. (You can find additional schedule details on the Clearwater Offshore Nationals schedule page.)
Event Category
- Annual Festivals & Events
- Sports & Recreation
Guest Information
- Family-Friendly
- Free Admission
- Outdoor Event
