Rowdies to play final two ‘home’ games at IMG Academy

The Rowdies will get to stay in the Tampa Bay area for their final two regular season home games, announcing on Friday plans to play at IMG Academy.

However, due to what the team said was limited capacity at the facility, tickets to games Wednesday and Oct. 26 will be available only to Rowdies season ticket members.

Damage from hurricanes Helene and Milton forced the Rowdies from their usual home at St. Petersburg's Al Lang Stadium.

They will play Saturday's game against North Carolina FC on the road , with a chance to clinch a playoff berth. They then will host Hartford Athletic on Wednesday and Indy Eleven on Oct. 26, with both matches kicking off at 7:30 p.m. and available to stream on ESPN+.

"The impact of both Hurricanes Helene and Milton to our region has been devastating, and while we cannot continue at Al Lang Stadium, we feel fortunate to be able to finish the season in the Tampa Bay area," Rowdies president Ryan Helfrick said in a statement.

"IMG Academy has a tremendous track record for hosting professional sports organizations and events, and we're grateful for their ability to host us on such short notice. As we move through the challenges following the hurricane, our thoughts are with everyone across the region who have been impacted."

The team said it will contact season ticket members offering options for unused tickets: a refund, credit for the 2025 season or donation for the cost to the Rowdies hurricane relief efforts. Fans who bought single-game tickets also will be contacted.

IMG Academy spans 400 acres, hosting a boarding school (for more than 1,400 students competing in 15 sports) in addition to sports training and event facilities. The soccer complex has 14 fields plus the stadium and has hosted MLS, NWSL and international teams.

Sun to host pop-up soccer fun sessions Players from the Tampa Bay Sun professional women's soccer team will host pop-up soccer fun sessions at two hurricane comfort stations operated by Hillsborough County. The first will be Friday from 4-6 p.m. at Progress Village Park, 8701 Progress Blvd. in Tampa. The second will be Monday from 4-6 at a location to be announced.

The sessions will give families facing the aftermath of Milton and Helene a break for some fun, active time together, including dribbling soccer balls, shooting goals and running the same practice drills the players use in their real training.

"We believe in the power of sports to bring people together — and right now, our community is coming together in so many inspiring ways," Sun president Christina Unkel said in a statement. "With the fun and positive energy of soccer, we're hoping to give our neighbors who've been through so much hardship a chance to smile and relax."