Gasparilla Boat Dock Lottery¶
The Gasparilla Invasion scheduled for January 31, 2026 will have limited Tampa Convention Center Marina boat slips available to the general public from Friday, January 30, 8 a.m. through Sunday, February 1, 5 p.m.
There will be a lottery on-site at The Sail Plaza on Thursday, November 5 ,2025, starting at 8 a.m. for applicants to be added to the dock slip waitlist. To receive a raffle ticket on site, you must complete the docking form and bring it to the lottery along with a copy of your boat registration or title. All raffle numbers will be drawn at random and placed on the waitlist in the order they are selected. This does not guarantee a dock slip. The number of TCC dock slips is based on the combination of availability and boat sizes and will be assigned in respect to the order tickets are drawn. TCC will contact those who are confirmed for a dock slip at a later date after the raffle.
If you require additional dates outside of Jan. 30-Feb. 1, please book them through Dockwa with a note that the booking is associated with Gasparilla: https://dockwa.com/explore/destination/3gc2dz-tampa-convention-center-marina?form=transient
Lottery Rules¶
- Applicants must be present beginning at 8 AM to receive a ticket for the drawing.
- Applications for each boat must be fully completed prior to receiving a ticket.
- To receive a lottery ticket, applicants must bring a COPY of the title or registration of the boat they are entering. The ticket number for each boat will be recorded prior to the drawing and attached to the application along with a copy of the title/registration. The application will be held by TCC for the drawing.
- No substitutions can be made to the boat associated with the lottery ticket.
- Only one ticket per boat.
- All tickets will be drawn to be placed on a waitlist in the event a rented slip is released back to the Marina or additional slips become available.
Rental Fees and Payment¶
- Rental rates are $4/ft., with a $160 minimum + tax per day for a minimum of 3 days. Additional fees are required for any power needs.
- A one-time Security Fee of $160 (tax exempt) will be charged per vessel for securing docks and ensuring slip assignments. If you require additional security services, they can be ordered for an additional fee at the time of registration.
- No refunds or cancellations. No subletting of dock slips.
- All major credit cards are accepted. Checks made out to the City of Tampa.
- Neither household or corporation shall singularly or jointly hold more than one slip at a time.
- Boaters confirmed for a waitlisted slip will have 24 hours to accept and make full payment; failure to do so forfeits the slip to the next boater on the waitlist and your name will be removed from the waitlist.
Dock Slips/Marina Information¶
- Dock slips are 40’ in length, beam 20’ wide. Maximum length not to exceed 65’. Exceptions are made for sanctioned Ye Mystic Krewe vessels.
- Boaters requiring dedicated power at the docks will need to place their orders through EDLEN Exhibition Services, the Tampa Convention Center’s exclusive in-house partner for temporary utilities including power. Recreational pedestal power at the docks will not be available for Gasparilla.
The pricing for marine power per each with installation and dismantling labor is as follows:
Customers must provide a photo of any connection required for their vessel to ensure that we have it in-house prior to putting in.
50 – AMP Single Phase 240v Marine Power $955.00
30 – AMP Single Phase 120v Marine Power $655.00
For assistance with ordering marine power, please contact our Event Managers at tampa@edlen.com to place an order at least 10 days before pulling into the docks or call 407-401-1066 for EDLEN’s General Manager, Michele Cardello. Orders cannot be placed on-site and must be paid for in full 10 days prior to Gasparilla (deadline of January 20, 2026).
- Slip assignments are at TCC’s sole discretion. TCC reserves the right to reassign slips.
- The Captain/Operator of the vessel must be available to move the boat at all times or risk being towed at owner’s expense.
- No commercial business/group of any kind may operate on Tampa Convention Center property under this application.
- Solicitation or advertising of any kind is strictly prohibited. No admission charge or sale of tickets, items or service are allowed.
- Food and beverage is not allowed to be placed on the docks and must remain on the boat.
- Furniture is not allowed on the docks.
- Noise must be kept at a respectful level at all times.
- Wristbands will be required for all persons to access the docks and any boat docked at the TCC Marina. The number of wristbands provided per vessel will be based upon the Coast Guard capacity rating for that vessel and will be available for pick up prior to January 30, 2026. Additional wristbands will not be provided at the docks. Lost wristbands will not be replaced.
- Due to the limited space on the docks all guests, equipment, furnishings, and activities must remain on docked vessels.
- It is the applicant’s responsibility to notify Tampa Convention Center in writing of any changes to contact information. Telephone calls will not be accepted.
- Carefully read the Special Event Form with Rules & Regulations