The Bradenton Area River Regatta, Manatee County’s largest and free spectator event, returns to the shorelines of Bradenton and Palmetto for its 11th year on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 20-21, 2026, featuring a historic milestone for the sport of powerboat racing.
For the first time, the Regatta will host Formula One Powerboat racing as the first powerboating event officially sanctioned by the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA). The event will showcase some of the sport’s most powerful and technologically advanced race boats and will serve as the kickoff event for competition under the IHRA Powerboating umbrella, marking a significant expansion of IHRA’s motorsports portfolio.
“Bringing the IHRA F1 Powerboat Series to Bradenton represents the kind of forward momentum we are building across all IHRA disciplines,” said Leah Martin, President of the International Hot Rod Association. “This event reflects our commitment to growth, innovation, and delivering world-class racing experiences while honoring the history and passion that makes powerboat racing so special.”…