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A guide to fun things to do in Tampa Bay this weekend.

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Tampa Bay tax rates hold or decrease, but homeowners may still pay more

All eyes are on local coffers and the elected officials who control them.

Politics

Tampa Bay&#x27;s largest cities and counties either lowered or maintained property tax rates, but homeowners could still see higher tax bills due to rising property values.Why it matters: Between Florida&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rising cost of living" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/06/10/florida-pinellas-cost-of-living-alice-2024" data-vars-content-id="73186661-89ff-4450-af0d-d6dda882700e" data-vars-headline="Tampa Bay tax rates hold or decrease, but homeowners may still pay more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/06/10/florida-pinellas-cost-of-living-alice-2024" target="_self">rising cost of living</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="state" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/10/07/desantis-doge-property-taxes" data-vars-content-id="73186661-89ff-4450-af0d-d6dda882700e" data-vars-headline="Tampa Bay tax rates hold or decrease, but homeowners may still pay more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/10/07/desantis-doge-property-taxes" target="_self">state</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="local" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/06/23/hillsborough-doge-targets-county-health-care-plan" data-vars-content-id="73186661-89ff-4450-af0d-d6dda882700e" data-vars-headline="Tampa Bay tax rates hold or decrease, but homeowners may still pay more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/06/23/hillsborough-doge-targets-county-health-care-plan" target="_self">local</a> inquiries into city and county spending, and a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="potential property tax overhaul" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/06/02/florida-puts-property-tax-overhaul-on-ballot-as-local-officials-sound-alarm" data-vars-content-id="73186661-89ff-4450-af0d-d6dda882700e" data-vars-headline="Tampa Bay tax rates hold or decrease, but homeowners may still pay more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/06/02/florida-puts-property-tax-overhaul-on-ballot-as-local-officials-sound-alarm" target="_self">potential property tax overhaul</a> on the horizon <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="due to Amendment 3" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/08/14/inside-the-florida-property-tax-amendments-court-ordered-rewrite" data-vars-content-id="73186661-89ff-4450-af0d-d6dda882700e" data-vars-headline="Tampa Bay tax rates hold or decrease, but homeowners may still pay more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/08/14/inside-the-florida-property-tax-amendments-court-ordered-rewrite" target="_self">due to Amendment 3</a>, all eyes are on local coffers and the elected officials who control them.

Tampa City Council considers new checks on mayor's power

Tampa's long-running City Hall power struggle may spill onto the March 2 ballot.

Tampa&#x27;s long-running City Hall power struggle may spill onto the March 2 ballot.Why it matters: Voters could soon decide whether to give the City Council more power to rein in the mayor, including the ability to override executive orders and oust mayoral appointees.

What to know about the Rays' playoff series against the Yankees

New York is a tough draw, even with Tampa Bay hosting at the Trop.

Sports

The Rays face their AL East rivals, the New York Yankees, in a divisional round playoff series that kicks off Saturday.Why it matters: The Rays entered the postseason with the American League&#x27;s best record, but New York is a tough draw, even with Tampa Bay hosting at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Trop" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/05/04/tropicana-field-nostalgia-rays-stadium-giveaway" data-vars-content-id="05a899b3-f8b4-4c34-ac07-50aab7768ee8" data-vars-headline="What to know about the Rays&#x27; playoff series against the Yankees" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/05/04/tropicana-field-nostalgia-rays-stadium-giveaway" target="_self">the Trop</a>.<ul><li>The Yankees have a star-studded roster and, as always, a lot of hype. Tampa Bay (also as always) is the small-market team that punches well above its weight.</li></ul>

Pinellas weekend events: Taste of the Beaches, Largo Vibe Fest, Spookyzarre

Things to Do

Celebrate the start of a new month with these events in and around St. Pete.🧘 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Yoga on the Pitch: Rowdies Recharge" data-vars-click-url="https://www.gofevo.com/event/26Yoga" data-vars-content-id="fb98ca07-6e3f-418b-a7db-fd08a08b0d57" data-vars-headline="Pinellas weekend events: Taste of the Beaches, Largo Vibe Fest, Spookyzarre" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.gofevo.com/event/26Yoga" target="_blank">Yoga on the Pitch: Rowdies Recharge</a>, St. Pete: Start your Saturday with a yoga session on the field at Al Lang Stadium, followed by a social with mimosas, snacks and more<ul><li>Saturday, 8:30-10am at Al Lang Stadium. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tickets" data-vars-click-url="https://www.gofevo.com/event/26Yoga" data-vars-content-id="fb98ca07-6e3f-418b-a7db-fd08a08b0d57" data-vars-headline="Pinellas weekend events: Taste of the Beaches, Largo Vibe Fest, Spookyzarre" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.gofevo.com/event/26Yoga" target="_blank">Tickets</a> start at $36.94 and include admission to Saturday night&#x27;s Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Miami FC match.</li></ul>

All the ways the Rays stadium deal can still fail

If St. Petersburg is any indication, Tampa's far from done.

The clerk tallied the vote. The yeses carried it. And against all odds, after years of disagreements and near-misses, a deal to build a new ballpark for the Rays and keep baseball in the region for years to come was, at last, reached.<ul><li>The council was St. Petersburg&#x27;s, the year was 2024, and the deal fell apart by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the following spring" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/03/13/rays-back-out-stadium-deal-historic-gas-plant-district" data-vars-content-id="7fcbb636-8473-45ad-9f91-f5b37c3cd7ab" data-vars-headline="All the ways the Rays stadium deal can still fail" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/03/13/rays-back-out-stadium-deal-historic-gas-plant-district" target="_self">the following spring</a>.</li></ul>Why it matters: The Tampa City Council and Hillsborough County Commission last month <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="signed off" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/08/28/hillsborough-approves-stadium-deal-rays-tampa-future" data-vars-content-id="7fcbb636-8473-45ad-9f91-f5b37c3cd7ab" data-vars-headline="All the ways the Rays stadium deal can still fail" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/08/28/hillsborough-approves-stadium-deal-rays-tampa-future" target="_self">signed off</a> on the region&#x27;s largest commitment to a sports stadium, a feat that seemed impossible only weeks ago.

College football fandom could hit milestone

Total attendance at Football Bowl Subdivision games last season was just a few big games short of California's population.

College football&#x27;s top tier is on track to set an attendance record of 39 million this season.Why it matters: Total attendance at Football Bowl Subdivision games last season was just a few big games short of California&#x27;s population.

Bucs' Mayfield and Bowles enter 2026 season under pressure

Another disappointing season could push Tampa Bay toward a franchise reset.

With stars gone, Baker Mayfield&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="future unresolved" data-vars-click-url="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/49784757/2026-nfl-season-players-coaches-gms-pressure-most-gain-lose#mayfield" data-vars-content-id="457c8e14-1a44-4bc5-8566-25c9fad16eea" data-vars-headline="Bucs&#x27; Mayfield and Bowles enter 2026 season under pressure" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/49784757/2026-nfl-season-players-coaches-gms-pressure-most-gain-lose#mayfield" target="_blank">future unresolved</a> and head coach Todd Bowles <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="under pressure" data-vars-click-url="https://www.thescore.com/nfl/news/3581386/nfl-hot-seat-quinn-among-5-coaches-fighting-for-their-jobs" data-vars-content-id="457c8e14-1a44-4bc5-8566-25c9fad16eea" data-vars-headline="Bucs&#x27; Mayfield and Bowles enter 2026 season under pressure" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.thescore.com/nfl/news/3581386/nfl-hot-seat-quinn-among-5-coaches-fighting-for-their-jobs" target="_blank">under pressure</a>, the Bucs enter 2026 on a knife&#x27;s edge.Why it matters: Another disappointing season could push Tampa Bay toward a franchise reset.

Scoop: Rays owners put $411K behind Buckhorn

In a crowded race for Tampa mayor, Buckhorn is drawing major financial support from the team's ownership.

Members of the Rays&#x27; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new ownership group" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/10/07/rays-new-owners-stadium-search" data-vars-content-id="85dbbd2d-1c2c-4be7-8c60-860b80b1db47" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Rays owners put $411K behind Buckhorn" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/10/07/rays-new-owners-stadium-search" target="_self">new ownership group</a> and businesses associated with them have donated at least $411,000 to Bob Buckhorn&#x27;s political committee, campaign finance and corporate records show.Why it matters: In a crowded race for Tampa mayor, Buckhorn is drawing major financial support from the team&#x27;s ownership, whose <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ballpark plans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/08/28/hillsborough-approves-stadium-deal-rays-tampa-future" data-vars-content-id="85dbbd2d-1c2c-4be7-8c60-860b80b1db47" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Rays owners put $411K behind Buckhorn" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/08/28/hillsborough-approves-stadium-deal-rays-tampa-future" target="_self">ballpark plans</a> will depend, in part, on the city&#x27;s next administration.

Hillsborough approves stadium deal, clearing path for Rays' Tampa future

The deal represents the largest commitment of taxpayer dollars to a sports stadium in the region's history.

News

The Hillsborough County Commission signed off on a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$2.3 billion stadium" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/02/05/rays-new-stadium-renderings-hillsborough-college" data-vars-content-id="cd581647-bf90-424b-a46d-7185fb737e6e" data-vars-headline="Hillsborough approves stadium deal, clearing path for Rays&#x27; Tampa future" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/02/05/rays-new-stadium-renderings-hillsborough-college" target="_self">$2.3 billion stadium</a> for the Rays at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hillsborough College" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/01/20/rays-plan-build-stadium-hillsborough-college" data-vars-content-id="cd581647-bf90-424b-a46d-7185fb737e6e" data-vars-headline="Hillsborough approves stadium deal, clearing path for Rays&#x27; Tampa future" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/01/20/rays-plan-build-stadium-hillsborough-college" target="_self">Hillsborough College</a>. Why it matters: The deal represents the largest commitment of taxpayer dollars to a sports stadium in the region&#x27;s history.

Tampa narrowly approves Rays stadium deal

The Tampa City Council gave the Rays its stamp of approval for a $2.3 billion stadium.

Development

The Tampa City Council gave the Rays its stamp of approval Thursday for a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$2.3 billion stadium" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/02/05/rays-new-stadium-renderings-hillsborough-college" data-vars-content-id="c9a0bc22-a111-42b6-b9e0-dc7e79e497cc" data-vars-headline="Tampa narrowly approves Rays stadium deal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/02/05/rays-new-stadium-renderings-hillsborough-college" target="_self">$2.3 billion stadium</a> at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hillsborough College" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/01/20/rays-plan-build-stadium-hillsborough-college" data-vars-content-id="c9a0bc22-a111-42b6-b9e0-dc7e79e497cc" data-vars-headline="Tampa narrowly approves Rays stadium deal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/01/20/rays-plan-build-stadium-hillsborough-college" target="_self">Hillsborough College</a>. Why it matters: It&#x27;s an outcome that seemed unlikely just weeks ago, when council members twice <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="swatted down" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/07/10/rays-advance-stadium-plans-public-approvals-stall" data-vars-content-id="c9a0bc22-a111-42b6-b9e0-dc7e79e497cc" data-vars-headline="Tampa narrowly approves Rays stadium deal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/07/10/rays-advance-stadium-plans-public-approvals-stall" target="_self">swatted down</a> votes on the ballpark.

Make-or-break votes loom for Rays stadium deal

This could be Tampa's last shot at landing the Rays and, potentially, keeping the franchise in the region.

The future of a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;Forever Home&quot; ballpark" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/05/14/hillsborough-county-unveils-proposed-stadium-deal-with-rays" data-vars-content-id="5f962ef8-3015-4980-9623-2796307415bd" data-vars-headline="Make-or-break votes loom for Rays stadium deal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/05/14/hillsborough-county-unveils-proposed-stadium-deal-with-rays" target="_self">&quot;Forever Home&quot; ballpark</a> for the Rays in Tampa hinges on a pair of votes this week.Why it matters: This could be the city&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="last shot" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/05/20/tampas-40-year-quest-for-baseball-comes-to-a-vote" data-vars-content-id="5f962ef8-3015-4980-9623-2796307415bd" data-vars-headline="Make-or-break votes loom for Rays stadium deal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/05/20/tampas-40-year-quest-for-baseball-comes-to-a-vote" target="_self">last shot</a> at landing the Rays and, potentially, keeping the franchise in Tampa Bay.

What to expect when the new-look USF Bulls kick off their season

There won't be many familiar faces on the field or the sideline.

When <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="USF" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/12/02/whats-next-for-usf-after-historic-season-golesh-departure" data-vars-content-id="a9bad977-84ba-43e7-ab84-7944a90d65df" data-vars-headline="What to expect when the new-look USF Bulls kick off their season" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/12/02/whats-next-for-usf-after-historic-season-golesh-departure" target="_self">USF</a> kicks off its football season next month, there won&#x27;t be many familiar faces on the field or the sideline.Why it matters: Coming off a 9-3 season that saw the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bulls briefly enter the College Football Playoff" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wusf.org/sports/2025-11-11/usf-moves-into-cfp-rankings-with-a-projected-first-round-matchup-at-georgia" data-vars-content-id="a9bad977-84ba-43e7-ab84-7944a90d65df" data-vars-headline="What to expect when the new-look USF Bulls kick off their season" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wusf.org/sports/2025-11-11/usf-moves-into-cfp-rankings-with-a-projected-first-round-matchup-at-georgia" target="_blank">Bulls briefly enter the College Football Playoff</a> rankings, USF has the makings of a program on the rise — but faces a ton of turnover.<ul><li>That&#x27;s become typical for mid-tier programs in this era of college football, when players who show out can freely transfer to more prominent programs, which also poach coaches from the lower ranks.</li></ul>

Tampa dad chasing Pop-A-Shot glory on ESPN

A South Tampa dad's childhood arcade hobby has turned into a cross-country quest.

When Nick DeMarinis turned on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ESPN" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/18/espn-sports-leagues" data-vars-content-id="c0b98182-6b60-4ed5-a584-8126fae8c53d" data-vars-headline="Tampa dad chasing Pop-A-Shot glory on ESPN" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/18/espn-sports-leagues" target="_self">ESPN</a> during the 2024 Pop-A-Shot National Championship, his reaction could&#x27;ve been the wistful, career-focused adult&#x27;s, &quot;Ah, maybe in another life.&quot;<ul><li>Instead, the South Tampa dad and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="WeWork" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wework.com/ideas/professional-development/how-small-businesses-can-turn-ai-disruption-into-an-advantage" data-vars-content-id="c0b98182-6b60-4ed5-a584-8126fae8c53d" data-vars-headline="Tampa dad chasing Pop-A-Shot glory on ESPN" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wework.com/ideas/professional-development/how-small-businesses-can-turn-ai-disruption-into-an-advantage" target="_blank">WeWork</a> executive thought to himself, &quot;Why not me?&quot;</li></ul>Why it matters: DeMarinis, 43, has mastered the art of not taking himself too seriously — and that ethos sparked a pretty remarkable journey for a guy who just liked to shoot hoops at arcades for fun.

Map of the U.S. shows the locations of the colleges with the largest football stadiums. 

Sports 🏅

What to know about the Rays' playoff series against the Yankees

All the ways the Rays stadium deal can still fail

College football fandom could hit milestone

Bucs' Mayfield and Bowles enter 2026 season under pressure

Scoop: Rays owners put $411K behind Buckhorn