Sports Tourism Events Grant Program
The County’s Sports Tourism Grant Program utilizes Tourist Development Tax Revenue (commonly called “bed tax”) to provide funding support for advertising and promoting sporting events which will generate overnight stays in St. Johns County. Funding may be awarded to support and promote high-quality amateur or professional athletic events that will attract overnight visitors.
Priority Evaluation Criteria
Priority consideration for evaluating Sports Tourism Grant funding requests include,
- Dates of the Event – Events held during periods of lower occupancy or lower facility use will be more likely to receive funding.
- Potential for Multiple Events – Priority consideration will be given to applicants who have a demonstrated ability to host multiple events in the County throughout the course of the year.
- Sports Segment – Priority consideration will be given to applications for events or programs that improve the diversity of the type of sporting events held in the County.
- Event Visibility – High-profile events such as National, State and Regional Championships will be given priority consideration for funding.
- Event Name – events which reflect, include or reference the name of the destination will be viewed more favorably for receiving grant funding. Events which reflect, include or reference a neighboring city or county either directly or indirectly will not be eligible for funding. As an example, events which include reference to Jacksonville or “the River City” will not be considered for grant funding.
Program
- Objective – To attract high-quality amateur and professional sporting events which generate overnight stays and, in-turn, enhance the quality of life in St. Johns County through sports.
- Eligible Events – An eligible sporting event consists of game(s), exhibition(s), tournament(s), and other sports-related events planned, presented, promoted and played at planned dates and times in St. Johns County.
- Grant Program Summary – This is a reimbursement grant program for the support of qualified sporting events which is offered to event organizers who have a demonstrated ability to present and promote quality programming that will generate overnight stays in St. Johns County. Reimbursement is made after completion of the event and submission of a final event report to the County.
Reimbursement is contingent upon the submission of receipts for eligible expenses. Grantees may not submit duplicate receipts to another government agency for reimbursement. Verification for actual room nights generated by the event in St. Johns County hotels must be included in the final event report.
Timeline
Phase 1
Events from October 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026
- Portal Opens May 30, 2025
- Grant Applications submitted by July 25th, 2025
Phase 2
Events from April 1, 2026 – September 30, 2026
- Portal Opens October 20, 2025
- Grant Applications submitted by December 19th, 2025
Contact
Contact Robert McFarland at 904-209-0334 or rmcfraland@sjcfl.us.