Jacksonville, Tampa Bay, and Fort Lauderdale to Compete for Statewide Derby Bragging Rights During the 2025/26 GainbridgeSuper League Season
A new three-way rivalry in Florida women’s soccer begins this weekend with the first matchups of three Florida clubs: Sporting Club Jacksonville, Tampa Bay Sun FC, and Fort Lauderdale United FC in the Gainbridge Super League.
To celebrate the new in-state derby matches, supporters of the competing Florida clubs are being invited make their mark on history — by coming up with a name for the intrastate derby. The winning name will be selected by a panel of representatives from the three clubs and unveiled in the coming weeks.
Currently dubbed “The Florida Women’s Cup,” this unofficial intrastate showdown will be decided by the results of 12 regular-season Gainbridge Super League matches played throughout the 2025/26 season. Each team will face the others four times, with points earned counting toward the competition standings.
Competition Format:
- 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw
- Goal difference (goals for minus goals against) as the first tiebreaker
- If still tied, a coin toss will determine the champion
The club finishing top among the three Florida teams will be crowned unofficial champions of Florida at the end of the 2025/26 regular season.
The intrastate derbies kick off this weekend on August 30, 2025, when Tampa Bay Sun FC hosts Sporting JAX at Riverfront Stadium in a highly-anticipated matchup.
Match Schedule Between the Three Clubs in 2025/26 Regular Season:
- Aug 30 – Tampa Bay Sun vs. Sporting JAX, 8:00 PM @ Riverfront Stadium
- Oct 4 – Tampa Bay Sun vs. Fort Lauderdale United, 7:30 PM @ Riverfront Stadium
- Oct 18 – Sporting JAX vs. Tampa Bay Sun, 7:30 PM @ Hodges Stadium
- Nov 15 – Fort Lauderdale United vs. Tampa Bay Sun, 7:30 PM @ Beyond Bancard Stadium
- Nov 22 – Sporting JAX vs. Fort Lauderdale United, 7:30 PM @ Hodges Stadium
- Dec 6 – Tampa Bay Sun vs. Sporting JAX, 7:30 PM @ Riverfront Stadium
- Dec 13 – Sporting JAX vs. Fort Lauderdale United, 7:30 PM @ Hodges Stadium
- Dec 20 – Sporting JAX vs. Tampa Bay Sun, 7:30 PM @ Hodges Stadium
- Feb 21 – Tampa Bay Sun vs. Fort Lauderdale United, 7:30 PM @ Riverfront Stadium
- Mar 14 – Fort Lauderdale United vs. Sporting JAX, 7:30 PM @ Beyond Bancard Stadium
- Apr 11 – Fort Lauderdale United vs. Sporting JAX, 7:30 PM @ Beyond Bancard Stadium
- May 2 – Fort Lauderdale United vs. Tampa Bay Sun, 7:30 PM @ Beyond Bancard Stadium
Fans can visit sportingjax.com/namethederby to submit their suggested names. Submissions will be accepted until September 30, 2025, with the winning suggestion announced by the three teams shortly after.
Steve Livingstone, President & CEO of Sporting JAX, said: “We thought it would be fun to create a little ‘unofficial’ in-state rivalry between the three teams as part of an informal inter-league competition. My counterparts at Tampa and Fort Lauderdale thought it was a great way to engage fans and the league gave us the thumbs up. Our players and supporters love these derby matches, and this gives us one more reason to raise the level every time we face our in-state rivals.”
Christina Unkel, President of Tampa Bay Sun FC, added: “This is about more than just results on the field – it’s about elevating the game for fans across Florida. Having three competitive Super League clubs in our state is unique, and this competition is a great way to celebrate that while adding more fun and intensity to our matches. Now, we’re excited to invite fans into the process and let them help us name it.”
Tommy Smith, Owner and President of Fort Lauderdale United, said: “We already have a great rivalry going with Tampa, and it will be fun to add Sporting JAX into the mix. Every derby has its own flavor, and what we’re building here in Florida with the Super League is really special. Our supporters want bragging rights, and we’ll be fighting for every point. Giving fans the chance to name the competition just makes it even more theirs.”
