USL Championship Matchday 30
Tampa Bay Rowdies vs Sporting JAX
Saturday, October 24, 7:30 p.m. ET
Al Lang Stadium, St. Petersburg, FL
2026 League Records:
Rowdies: 17W-5L-7D (9-3-2 at home), 58 pts, 1st in the East
Jacksonville: 3W-21L-5D (1-11-2 on the road), 14 pts, 13th in the East
Broadcast: Tampa Bay 44, ESPN+
Fan Appreciation Giveaway: The first 1,000 fans to arrive for Fan Appreciation Night this Saturday will receive an exclusive Rowdies scarf.
Players’ Shield Photo Opportunity: Fans can have their picture taken with the 2026 USL Championship Players’ Shield from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Midfielder Courtyard inside Al Lang Stadium.
Postmatch Fireworks: Following the final whistle, fans will be invited onto the field to view a postmatch fireworks show (weather permitting).
This weekend, the Rowdies suit up for one final regular season fixture before kicking off in the USL Championship Playoffs at Al Lang Stadium next Friday. Lining against the Rowdies in their regular season finale this Saturday are in-state rivals Sporting JAX.
Last week’s decisive 1-0 win against Detroit City FC officially clinched the 2026 USL Championship Players’ Shield and home field advantage for the Rowdies throughout the playoffs. Don’t expect the Rowdies to take their foot off the pedal this weekend, though. Momentum can be a key factor for any team hoping to make a deep run in the playoffs. Having the confidence of a three-match winning streak could make all the difference leading into next Friday’s Eastern Conference Quarterfinal matchup at Al Lang.
A win this weekend would also put the Rowdies at 61 points for the season. Heading into the final weekend of the season, the Rowdies are the only team with a chance at surpassing 60 points this year. Taking down Jacksonville would also mark the Rowdies 10th home victory of the season. That milestone may seem small in the grand scheme of what’s already been achieved by this group, but it would certainly be the perfect way to celebrate Fan Appreciation Night given the Rowdies fell short of double digit wins at home last year for the first time since the shortened season in 2020.
One More for History
This year’s squad has one final opportunity to make history in the regular season. Last Saturday’s shutout victory over Detroit matched the club’s single season record of 15 clean sheets from the 2021 campaign. If they can pull off the clean sheet this Saturday versus Jacksonville, the 2026 Rowdies will own the record outright.
Series History
Saturday’s marks only the third competitive meeting between the Rowdies and Sporting JAX. The Rowdies knocked off the USL Championship newcomers 1-0 in regular season action in April before dispatching them again 2-0 in the group stage of the Prinx Tires USL Cup in June.
Canned Food Drive
Publix, the presenting partner of this year’s Fan Appreciation Night, has teamed up with the Rowdies to give fans the chance to make a difference in our community this weekend. Fans who bring at least one canned food item for donation in the Michelob Ultra Fan Zone before kickoff on Saturday will receive a Rowdies and Public co-branded hat (while supplies last). All items will be donated to Feeding Tampa Bay in support of their mission fighting hunger in the region.
Jerseys Off Our Backs
The Rowdies annual Jerseys Off Our Backs Auction closes this Saturday at 9 p.m. ET. Fans can bid online or in-person at Saturday’s regular season finale to win a signed, match-worn or match-issued jersey from the 2026 season. Proceeds for the auction benefit the Come on You Rowdies Fund, which supports local nonprofit organizations throughout Tampa Bay and other Rowdies community programs. Fans can bid in person at Al Lang on the stadium concourse under sections 300-302 or online by visiting rowdiessoccer.com/jersey-auction.
One Eye on the Playoffs
As the top overall seed in this year’s USL Championship Playoffs, the Rowdies are locked into hosting the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference next Friday, October 30. The eighth seed is still up in the air heading into the final weekend of the regular season. If the season ended today, the Rowdies would be hosting Miami FC in their first playoff bout. However, Indy Eleven can overtake Miami for the final playoff spot in the East this weekend with a win over the Charleston Battery. Miami will be watching from home this having, having already finished their slate of regular season matches last week.
Rowdies Availability Repot
OUT: Max Schneider (Suspended, Yellow Card Accumulation)
