Bucs Training Camp Opens July 30 — How to Plan a Football Getaway in Tampa
By Mark · July 5, 2026 · 3 min read
Every summer, for about two weeks, you can stand close enough to an NFL practice to hear the pads pop — for free. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers open their 2026 training camp to the public on Thursday, July 30, with eight open practices running through August 9 at the AdventHealth Training Center, right next to Raymond James Stadium.
If you've never been to an NFL training camp, it's one of the best free sporting events in America: no bad seats, players within shouting distance, and — on the right day — autographs for the kids after practice. If you're planning a Tampa Bay trip in late July or early August anyway, this is the easiest "wow" you can add to the itinerary.
The details that matter
- Dates: Eight practices open to the public, July 30 – August 9, 2026.
- The one to circle: Tuesday, August 4 is an evening practice starting at 7:00 p.m. — cooler air, stadium-style lights, and the closest thing to a game-day atmosphere camp offers.
- Cost: Free — but you'll want to reserve fan passes in advance through Buccaneers.com, as popular dates fill up.
- Parking: Fan parking is in the lot at 4221 Himes Avenue, opening about 90 minutes before practice.
Six insider tips for camp day
- Go early. Gates open well before practice, and the early crowd gets the rail spots along the field.
- Dress for August in Florida. Morning practices still mean 88°F and full sun. Hats, sunscreen, and more water than you think you need. (Most sessions have shaded viewing and misting areas — find them early.)
- Check the bag policy. NFL facilities follow the clear-bag rule — bring a clear tote or keep it to pockets.
- Bring a Sharpie anyway. Player autograph sessions typically follow select practices, and nothing stings like an unsigned jersey because nobody had a pen.
- Watch the one-on-ones. Receivers versus corners is the best theater in football, and at camp you're standing right on top of it.
- Re-check the schedule the night before. Camp practices can shift with weather and team needs, so confirm times on the team's official site before you head out.
Make a weekend of it
Camp practice runs a couple of hours — which leaves the whole rest of the day for the good stuff. Our formula for the perfect football weekend:
- Morning: practice at the AdventHealth Training Center. Pads popping by 9 a.m.
- Afternoon: lunch and air conditioning at Armature Works, then let the daily thunderstorm do its thing while you nap or hit the pool.
- Evening: a Gulf beach sunset at Clearwater or St. Pete Beach — 35–45 minutes from the stadium, timed for golden hour.
Staying in a vacation home instead of a stadium-area hotel means a full kitchen for pre-camp breakfasts, a washer for sweat-soaked jerseys, and room for the whole crew to spread out between practices.
Where to stay
Most of our homes sit an easy 15–35 minute drive from Raymond James Stadium — close enough for a morning practice run, far enough to spend the rest of your day on the water. Several sleep 8+, which makes them perfect for the multi-family football pilgrimage.
Find your training-camp home base here — book direct with our local team and skip the platform fees. And if the dates around August 4 are calling to you (evening practice under the lights, remember), don't sit on it: late-summer weekends around Bucs events go fast.