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Sports

The annual Tiger BBQ is back

February 2, 2026 • 
Julia Pizzuto
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People gather around a table outside of Joker Marchant Stadium for the annual Tiger BBQ.

This year marks 79 years of the Tiger BBQ and 90 years of Tigers Spring Training in Polk County.

Photos provided by Visit Central Florida

Grab your ball caps and sunscreen: The annual Tiger BBQ returns to Publix Field on Thursday, Feb. 19, to ring in the Detroit Tigers’ Spring Training season in Lakeland.

Grab tickets to dive into a barbecue buffet of pork, ribs, chicken, sausage, and all your favorite fixin’s. Attendees will also score a souvenir pint glass.

Polk County is the only Spring Training site to welcome its team with a good old-fashioned barbecue, before games begin on Sunday, Feb. 22.

Get tickets + swing by

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