The city of Tampa has been voted the best sports city in America, according to the Street and Smith’s Sports Business Journal.
Since September 2020, Tampa has been known as the City of Champions after the Tampa Bay Lightning won the Stanley Cup in the bubble in late September. The Tampa Bay Rays were crowned American League Champions, making their second World Series appearance in franchise history.
In 2021, the success of the sports teams in Tampa continued, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers winning their second Super Bowl in franchise history.
The Buccaneers also became the first team to win the Super Bowl in their home stadium.
Instead of a traditional parade, the city and the Buccaneers opted for a boat parade, which drew thousands to the banks of the Hillsborough River in downtown Tampa.
The magic continued throughout the summer as the Tampa Bay Lightning won their second consecutive Stanly Cup, the third cup in franchise history.
After winning the cup with no fans in attendance nine months earlier, the Lightning finally rewarded their fans by lifting the cup on home ice in July 2020.
Another boat parade would follow, drawing thousands to downtown Tampa to honor the Stanley Cup Champions.
In July following the All-Star break, the Tampa Bay Rays called up the number one prospect in baseball Wander Franco in the middle of a pennant race. Franco would prove to be the spark plug the team would need down the stretch as the Rays would have their best season in franchise history.
The Rays won 100 games and would win the American League East for the third time in franchise history.
After a World Series appearance in 2020, anything less than a repeat appearance would be considered a disappointment after the record season the Rays had.
Sadly, the Rays would have an early exit in the American League playoffs, as they were eliminated in five games by the Boston Red Sox.
In 12 months, the sports team in Tampa would win Two Stanley Cup titles, one Super Bowl Championship, and make an appearance in a World Series.
The Bucs are on track to repeat as Super Bowl Champions. The Lightning is looking to three-peat. And the Rays are looking to get back to the World Series in 2022.
The City of Tampa has genuinely earned the title “Champa Bay” and is looking for a repeat in 2022.
