Florida’s craziest conservation event is back! Registration is officially open for the 2026 Florida Python Challenge™, a high-stakes, 10-day competition designed to protect the Everglades and its native wildlife from the destructive impact of invasive Burmese pythons.
Jointly organized by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), Everglades National Park, and the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida, the event will kick off at 12:01 a.m. on July 10, 2026, and run until 5:00 p.m. on July 19, 2026.
The primary goal of the challenge is to raise awareness of nonnative species and actively remove Burmese pythons, which pose a severe threat to native mammals, birds, and reptiles in this unique ecosystem. Because these apex predators have no natural enemies in Florida, community participation is vital to protecting the Everglades.
To incentivize participants, the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida is offering substantial cash rewards, thanks to generous corporate and private sponsors like Platinum sponsor Inversa Leathers. The ultimate grand prize of $10,000 will go to the participant who removes the most pythons overall. Additionally, competitors can win prizes within Professional, Novice, and Military categories. In each of these categories, the top prize for the most pythons caught is $2,500, followed by a $1,500 runner-up prize, and a $1,000 reward for the longest python captured.
The event is open to both residents and visitors, but safety and ethics remain paramount. All registrants are strictly required to complete an online training course covering humane killing methods, rules, and safety protocols before stepping into the field.
Whether you are an experienced wrangler or a passionate novice looking to protect Florida’s natural heritage, the 2026 challenge offers a unique opportunity to win big while saving the Everglades. For complete rules, area maps, and registration details, visit flpythonchallenge.org.
