SEC, TBSC Announces SEC Kickoff Fan Fest at Benchmark International Arena

TAMPA, FL - Officials at the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and Tampa Bay Sports Commission (TBSC) have announced that the SEC Kickoff Fan Fest, presented by Kinder's, will be held on Sunday, July 19, from 5 to 8:30 PM, on Thunder Alley at Benchmark International Arena. The free event will help launch the SEC’s first-ever visit to the Tampa Bay community for SEC Football Media Days, to be held July 20-23 at the JW Marriott and the Tampa Marriott Water Street.

 

Anchoring the Sunday celebration will be a live SEC Network broadcast from Thunder Alley beginning at 7 PM, where they will preview the SEC Football Media Days and the 2026-27 college football season. The one-hour show will air on ESPN’s SEC Network.  

 

“We couldn’t be more excited to host SEC Football Media Days festivities for the first time,” said TBSC Executive Director Lanness Robinson. “The Kickoff Fan Fest will be the perfect opportunity and backdrop to get the week started, and will provide guests a fun, up-close experience with SEC football, whose motto is “It Just Means More". From the hundreds of media in attendance to the Kickoff Fan Fest followed by four days of SEC coach and player spotlights, as well as the other impactful programming, it’s sure to be a memorable week for all involved.”

 

Register to attend the FREE, family-friendly Kickoff Fan Fest, which is open to the public and features a live broadcast on SEC Network, interactive games, live entertainment, fan activations, giveaways, special appearances, and plenty of SEC spirit.