2026 Thunder On the Beach: Cocoa Beach Offshore Powerboat Racing

Thunder On the Beach returns to Cocoa Beach, Florida for its 16th year as one of the premier offshore powerboat racing events on the East Coast. Running May 14–17, 2026, this is Round 3 of the IHRA Offshore National Championship — and it is shaping up to be the biggest Thunder yet. Eighty boats across thirteen classes, a $2 million series purse, and free beachfront viewing from some of the best sand in Florida.

Offshore powerboat racing at Thunder On the Beach Cocoa Beach Florida 2026

Thunder On the Beach 2026 - Round 3 of the IHRA Offshore National Championship

The IHRA Offshore Racing Series has consolidated the sport under one banner, and Thunder On the Beach is the crown jewel of the spring calendar. After successful stops in St. Petersburg and Sarasota, the series heads to Brevard County where the Atlantic Ocean becomes a racetrack visible from the shoreline. The event is produced by OPA Racing in partnership with the Cocoa Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, and carries the full backing of the IHRA sanctioning body.

Full Event Schedule: May 14–17, 2026

Wednesday, May 14 — Boat Arrival & Inspection

8:00 AM – 12:00 PM — Boats arrive at Race Village (Flounder Drive, Cocoa Beach)
12:00 PM – 6:00 PM — Boat technical inspection & safety checks
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM — Captain’s Meeting at Race Village

Thursday, May 15 — Test & Tune / VIP Meet & Greet

8:00 AM – 10:00 AM — Final boat inspections
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM — Open water test & tune runs
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM — Driver autograph session at Race Village
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM — VIP Meet & Greet at Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier / Rikki Tiki Tavern

Friday, May 16 — Qualifying & Fan Fest

9:00 AM – 12:00 PM — Qualifying runs for all 13 classes
12:00 PM – 5:00 PM — Fan Fest at Race Village — vendor booths, sponsor activations, driver meet-and-greets
6:00 PM – 10:00 PM — Friday Night Block Party with live music by Saylor & the Captains

Saturday, May 17 — Race Day

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM — Driver briefing & final safety check
9:30 AM – 11:30 AM — Morning bracket races (Classes 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM — Midday break & spectator activities
12:30 PM – 2:30 PM — Afternoon bracket races (Super Stock, Extreme, Super Cat)
3:00 PM – 4:30 PM — Pro Class 1 Championship Race — the main event
5:00 PM — Awards ceremony at Race Village

The Numbers

80 registered boats across 13 classes
$2 million total series purse with $650K in tow money
Speeds topping 160+ mph in Pro Class 1
Three female drivers competing — growing the sport
IHRA owner Darryl Cuttell racing in the Extreme class
International competitors from multiple countries

Race Classes

Thunder On the Beach features the full IHRA class lineup. Here are the thirteen classes hitting the water:

Pro Class 1 — Top-tier catamarans, 160+ mph
Super Cat — High-performance cats
Extreme — Modified V-bottoms and cats
Super Stock — Factory-built performance boats
Class 3 through Class 7 — Tiered by engine size and boat type
Super Vee Lite — Entry-level racing class
Pro Watercross — Personal watercraft racing
Bonus classes as entries dictate

Where to Watch

Admission is FREE. Spectators can watch from anywhere along Cocoa Beach. Bring a lawn chair, set up on the sand, and watch 80 boats tear up the Atlantic from a few hundred yards away. There is nothing like it.

VIP Experience at Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier / Rikki Tiki Tavern — $175 per day or $300 for the full weekend. Includes premium viewing, food, drinks, and driver access.

Race Village is located on Flounder Drive in Cocoa Beach — free and open to the public all four days. Walk the pits, see the boats up close, meet the crews.

Watch the Action

Here is a taste of what Thunder On the Beach brings to Cocoa Beach every year:

About the IHRA Offshore Racing Series

The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) took over sanctioning of offshore powerboat racing in 2026, unifying what had been a fragmented landscape of competing organizations. The result is a true national championship with consistent rules, a single points system, and broadcast coverage on Speed Sport 1 & 2 plus YouTube Live. Thunder On the Beach is Round 3 of the 2026 schedule, following St. Pete and Sarasota.

Plan Your Trip

Cocoa Beach is roughly 60 miles east of Orlando on the Atlantic coast — an easy day trip or weekend getaway. The town is loaded with hotels, restaurants, and beach bars. May in Cocoa Beach means mid-80s, ocean breezes, and some of the best weather Florida offers. If you are already planning to be at Kennedy Space Center or Port Canaveral, the races are right down the road.

Official Links & Resources

Official Event Site: ThunderOnCocoaBeach.com
IHRA Event Page: IHRA Thunder On the Beach
IHRA Offshore Racing: IHRA.com

Note: The schedule above reflects the 2026 event as published. For the most current times and any day-of changes, check the official Thunder On the Beach site. Previous years have followed a similar format — see the OutboardListings Events page for a full 2025/2026 marine event calendar.

OutboardListings.com will be covering results and highlights from Cocoa Beach. If you are on the Space Coast this weekend — get to the beach.

2026 Thunder On the Beach / Cocoa Beach Florida Offshore Powerboat Racing