In just over two and a half weeks, the 2026 Florida Python Challenge™ kicks off!
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![This photo was taken from a previous event. From left to right: Fiorella Fernandez, FWC, Diamond Bergeron, Bergeron Everglades Foundation, Annisa Karim, FWC, Tom Reinert, FWC, "Alligator" Ron Bergeron, SFWMD, Kodiak Hengstebeck, FWC, Pedro Ramos, NPS, Henri Ferré, Inversa, Drew Bartlett, SFWMD) [Photo Courtesy FWC]](/uploads/original/20260623-103230-24a-2026 Python Challenge feat.jpg)
The 2026 Florida Python Challenge™ kicks off in July! Registered participants have the opportunity to win a share of $25,000 in prizes while removing invasive Burmese pythons from the Everglades ecosystem and raising awareness about invasive species. This year’s competition runs from Friday, July 10 at 12:01 a.m. until Sunday, July 19 at 5 p.m. Registration is open until the last day of the Challenge.
The 2026 Florida Python Challenge, hosted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the South Florida Water Management District, features an Ultimate Grand Prize of $10,000 for the registered participant who removes the most pythons. Competitors also have an opportunity to win additional cash prizes for the most and longest pythons removed in three categories: novice, professional and military. A highlight of this year’s event is the return of Everglades National Park as a partner and one of eight official Florida Python Challenge competition locations.
Intrigued but not yet registered? Visit FLPythonChallenge.org to register and complete the required online training. You will also find educational information about Burmese pythons and the unique Everglades ecosystem, additional training opportunities and helpful resources for planning your trip to South Florida for the event.
Last year, participants in the 2025 Florida Python Challenge™ removed a competition record of 294 invasive Burmese pythons from the Everglades, resulting in a total of 1,406 of the nonnative constrictors being removed cumulatively during all Florida Python Challenge competitions to date. In 2025, 934 people from 30 states and Canada registered for the 10-day competition.
Want to get involved in removal of invasive species at any time of the year? In addition to year-round python removal opportunities on 32 Commission-managed lands, Burmese pythons may be humanely killed on private lands at any time with landowner permission — no permit or hunting license required. The FWC encourages people to remove and humanely kill invasive pythons from private lands whenever possible.
