Jersey ShoreGUIDE

Sporting Events at the Jersey Shore

Races, triathlons, fishing tournaments, and athletic competitions

89Events
8Major Festivals
27Free Events
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89

Events

8

Major Festivals

27

Free Events

10

Months Active

Destination Sporting Events

Major sporting events worth planning your trip around.

Major Event

Wildwood Polar Bear Plunge

Wildwood, Cape May County

$110-$125 fundraising minimum

January 17, 2026

Registration 10am-12:45pm, Plunge at 1pm

20th anniversary milestone plunge raising funds for Special Olympics NJ at Wildwood Beach.

Highlights

20th Anniversary celebration3,000+ plungers expectedSpecial Olympics NJ fundraiserPost-plunge lunch included
👥3,000+ plungers
Major Event

Polar Bear Plunge at Seaside Heights

Seaside Heights, Ocean County

$100 minimum fundraising

February 28, 2026

Plunge at 1pm

NJ's largest polar bear plunge with 7,500+ plungers raising $2.5M for Special Olympics.

Highlights

NJ's largest polar bear plunge7,500+ plungers100,000 spectators$2.5M+ raised for Special Olympics
👥7,500 plungers, 100,000 spectators
🏃
🏃

JSRC RunAPalooza

Asbury Park, Monmouth County

$30-45 registration

April 11, 2026

8am start

Spring running festival with 5K, 10K, and half marathon along Asbury Park boardwalk.

Highlights

Multiple race distancesScenic oceanfront coursePost-race celebrationJSRC club event
🏃
🏃

MudHen IPA 5K & Beer Mile

Wildwood, Cape May County

$35-50

April 25, 2026

11am start

5K run ending at MudHen Brewing with craft beer celebration. Optional Beer Mile.

Highlights

5K through WildwoodOptional Beer MileCraft beer post-raceLive music at brewery
🏃
🏃

Ocean City Half Marathon

Ocean City, Cape May County

$55-80

April 12, 2026

7:30am start

Spring half marathon and 10K through Ocean City with boardwalk finish.

Highlights

Flat, fast courseBoardwalk viewsHalf marathon & 10K optionsFamily-friendly atmosphere
👥3,000 runners
🏃
🏃Major Event

Escape the Cape Triathlon

Cape May, Cape May County

$225-350 registration

June 7, 2026

6am ferry departure

Bucket-list triathlon starting with a ferry swim to Cape May. Swim 1mi, bike 24mi, run 10K.

Highlights

Unique ferry start1-mile open water swim24-mile bike through Cape May10K run to Higbee Beach finish
👥1,200 athletes
🎵
🎵Major Event

Sea.Hear.Now Festival

Asbury Park, Monmouth County

2-day GA from $309, 1-day from $180, VIP available

September 19-20, 2026

Gates open 11am daily

Two days of beach music featuring Mumford & Sons, The Strokes, and 25+ artists on Asbury Park oceanfront.

Highlights

Mumford & Sons (Saturday) and The Strokes (Sunday) headlining25+ artists including Pixies, Goo Goo Dolls, Ziggy Marley, MobyProfessional surf competition running alongside musicArt installations and 40+ local food vendors
👥35,000 daily
🏃
🏃

Jersey Shore Half Marathon

Sandy Hook, Monmouth County

$65-85

October 4, 2026

8am start

Flat, scenic half marathon through Sandy Hook Gateway National Recreation Area.

Highlights

Flat, fast courseSandy Hook peninsula settingOcean and bay viewsNational park backdrop
👥2,500 runners

Major Sporting Events

January 9-11, 2026|Fri 1-7pm, Sat 9:30am-6pm, Sun 9:30am-2pm

80,000 sq ft of fishing exhibits with 14 boat dealers and 100+ vendors.

February 14, 2026|9am start

5K obstacle course on Ocean City Boardwalk - a unique winter challenge at the shore.

👥500+ participants
March 5-10, 2026|Games throughout the day

MAAC conference basketball tournament at historic Boardwalk Hall.

April 26, 2026|7:30am full marathon, 7:45am half marathon

Premier point-to-point race along the shore with full and half marathon options.

👥10,000+ runners21th annual
🎣
🏃Ticketed

LBI Spring Surf Fishing Derby

Long Beach Island

April 4 - June 21, 2026|Dawn to dusk fishing

79-day surf fishing tournament with 100% cash payout for striped bass and bluefish.

24th annual
🌹
🏃Ticketed

Spring Lake Run for the Roses 5K

Spring Lake

May 2, 2026|9am start

Derby-themed 5K along Spring Lake boardwalk with festive celebrations.

🎣
🏃Ticketed

LBI Grand Slam Surf Fishing Tournament

Long Beach Island

May 31, 2026|Dawn start

Memorial Day weekend team surf fishing tournament on LBI beaches.

July 23-26, 2026|Multi-day tournament

60+ years of marlin fishing tradition—one of the oldest release tournaments in the region.

60th annual
July 25-26, 2026|All day

The 34th annual Wildwood Beach Ultimate, billed as the largest beach ultimate frisbee tournament in the world, with 4-on-4 play on the sand.

July 31 - August 2, 2026|All day

NAGA's Battle at the Beach Grappling Championship returns to the Wildwoods Convention Center for three days of mixed grappling competition.

August 16-21, 2026|Multi-day fishing tournament

Premier offshore tournament with million-dollar payouts for marlin and tuna.

🎣
🏃Ticketed

LBI Surf Fishing Classic

Long Beach Island

August 29 - November 29, 2026|Dawn to dusk fishing

One of America's oldest surf fishing tournaments with $25,000+ in prizes.

72th annual
August 1, 2026|6:00 PM - 7:45 PM

Evening 10-mile road race the length of Sea Isle City, starting and finishing at Beach Patrol Headquarters.

August 9, 2026|Morning start

The 16th CRDA Atlantic City Triathlon runs August 9 with Olympic and Sprint races swimming the back bay at Bader Field, finishing at Boardwalk Hall.

August 9-16, 2026|Weigh stations close per tournament rules; see brochure

Ocean City's 49th annual offshore tournament, benefiting the Michael Strange Foundation for Gold Star families. Multiple South Jersey weigh stations.

August 10-15, 2026|Fishing 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM; weigh-ins late afternoon into evening

Beach Haven's 57th annual white marlin tournament. Teams fish two of four days for marlin, tuna, dolphin and wahoo, with public weigh-ins on Dock Road.

August 14-16, 2026|Fri check-in; Sat-Sun competition

Three-day team fitness competition on the Asbury Park beach and boardwalk, with Elite, RX, Masters and Intermediate divisions.

August 29 - September 5, 2026|Captains meeting Friday, August 28; daily weigh-ins

The Manasquan River club's flagship offshore tournament, running eight days from August 29 with daily canyon weigh-ins at Brielle Yacht Club.

September 11-13, 2026|Dawn patrol to afternoon

Premier East Coast PRO-AM surf competition—26th year at Belmar Beach. Free.

26th annual
🏃
🏃Ticketed

LBI 18-Mile Run & 12K

Long Beach Island

October 11, 2026|8am start

53rd annual 18-mile race the length of Long Beach Island.

53th annual
October 17-18, 2026|7:30am start

Nation's third-oldest marathon featuring 8 miles on the Atlantic City Boardwalk.

67th annual
October 23-25, 2026|Friday 9pm through Sunday noon

Boat-based striped bass tournament with weigh-in at Sea Shell Resort.

October 31, 2026|Morning start

Fast, flat course through the Wildwoods—half marathon, 10K, and 5K options.

Local Sporting Events

🍺

Highlands Guinness Run

HighlandsMarch 14, 2026

Ticketed
🎣
Ticketed
🦈
Ticketed
🏄

Sea Isle City Skimmer Festival

Sea Isle CityJune 20, 2026

Free
🚴

Le Tour de Downbeach

Ventnor CityJune 6, 2026

Ticketed
🎣

Highlands Fluke Tournament

HighlandsJune 20, 2026

Ticketed
🏃

Surf City Sunset 5K

Surf CityJuly 23, 2026

Ticketed
🏆
Ticketed
🏆

Seize the Wave

Sea Isle CityJuly 28, 2026

Free
🏆
Ticketed
🏆
Ticketed
🏆
Ticketed
🏆
Ticketed
🏆
Ticketed
🏆
Ticketed
🏆

4th Annual JCSA Arrowhead Inn Fluke Tournament

BrickAugust 15, 2026

Ticketed
🏆

Bradley Beach 5K

Bradley BeachAugust 15, 2026

Ticketed

Sporting Events by Month

Sporting Events by County

Monmouth County

18

events

Highlands Guinness...JSRC RunAPalooza

Ocean County

17

events

Polar Bear Plunge ...LBI Spring Surf Fi...

Atlantic County

9

events

MAAC Basketball Ch...Le Tour de Downbea...

Cape May County

45

events

Wildwood Polar Bea...Wildwood Fishing &...

Frequently Asked Questions

What sporting events are there at the Jersey Shore?

The Jersey Shore hosts 89 sporting events throughout the year. Races, triathlons, fishing tournaments, and athletic competitions

When is the best time for sporting events at the shore?

Sporting Events events happen throughout the year, with events in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October.

Are there free sporting events at the Jersey Shore?

Yes, 27 of the 89 sporting events at the Jersey Shore are free to attend.

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