Mechanical gator riding, lawnmower races and more: What to know about The Florida Man Games

Florida's very own Olympic Games kicks off in less than a week.
The Florida Man Games, known for its unusual and disgustingly on-brand events, returns for its second year.
Teams from across Florida will battle it out for the snakeskin championship belt by participating and competing in multiple events, including human beer pong, eat the butt challenge, mechanical gator riding and more.
The athletic event, inspired by the "Florida Man" internet meme, will be held at the St. Johns County Fairgrounds in Elkton, over 60 miles east of Gainesville on March 1.
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"Just when the world thought Floridians couldn’t Florida any wilder, they did. The Florida Man Games returns on March 1st, 2025, and how it got insured for round 2, no one will ever know,” a press release obtained by The Florida Times-Union, part of the Paste BN Network.
“This irreverent competition, where the state’s most unruly residents serve as demigods of athletic prowess, is getting even weirder with new competitions, more insane teams, and a brand-new venue.”
Here's what to know about this year's Florida Man Games, including how to purchase tickets.
What to expect at this year's Florida Man Games
Last year, teams went head-to-head in challenges like weaponized pool noodle mud dueling, an “evading arrest” obstacle course, a category 5 hurricane winds cash grab and beer belly Florida sumo wrestling.
The evading arrest obstacle course will return to the 2025 games, along with new challenges like “the Florida sumo cage match,” and enough space for tailgating.
Attendees were also able to get in on the fun, getting the chance to participate in various activities like the “Florida Ma’am” pinup competition, chicken bingo and a mullet competition.
“We’re expecting an even bigger crowd at (this) year’s event, so it made sense to move out to the St. Johns County Fairgrounds, where we’ll have more space, a covered arena, and this year, we’re excited to introduce an RV tailgating area,” Pete Melfi, organizer and founder of the Florida Man Games, said in the press release.
How to buy tickets for The Florida Man Games
Tickets for the all-day event range from $45 to $145 and can be purchased online.
General admission tickets cost $45 and VIP tickets cost $145. VIP tickets include access to a VIP parking area, unlimited ride passes, access to a climate-controlled indoor VIP area, three free drinks, free catered lunch, VIP restrooms and reserved bleacher seating during The Florida Man Games.
The epic showdown "of absurdity and outrageous skill" begins at 9 a.m. and will end at 9 p.m. ET.
The full schedule for The Florida Man Games is outlined below:
- Gates Open: 9 a.m.
- Eat The Butt Challenge: 10:20 a.m.
- Draft New Teams From Crowd: 10:40 a.m.
- Weaponized Pool Noodle Mud Wrestling: 11:00 a.m.
- Lawnmower Racing/Gator Shows: 12:00 p.m.
- Human Beer Pong: 12:45 p.m.
- Hellzapoppin Freak Show: 1:30 p.m.
- Florida Sumo Cage Match & Beer Chug: 2:15 p.m.
- Florida Woman Bonus Challenge: 3:00 p.m.
- Hurricane Party Prep - Grocery Aisle Brawl: 3:20 p.m.
- Midget Wrestling Warriors: 4:15 p.m.
- Evading Arrest Obstacle Course: 5:00 p.m.
- STATE OF EMERGENCY - Pro Wrestling Matches: 6:00 p.m.
- Awards: 7:00 p.m.
The Florida Man Games trailer
Contributing: Lianna Norman, Palm Beach Post, part of the Paste BN NETWORK - Florida