This Week in Tampa Bay: Bruno Mars Takes Over Raymond James, The Strokes, and NFL Opening Weekend (September 9–15, 2026)

This Week in Tampa Bay: Bruno Mars Takes Over Raymond James, The Strokes, and NFL Opening Weekend (September 9–15, 2026)

September gets loud this week. Between Bruno Mars filling Raymond James for two nights, The Strokes headlining the newly renamed Benchmark International Arena, and Bucs football finally back, there's a lot competing for your weekend. Here's what's worth your time.

The Big One: Bruno Mars at Raymond James (Sat Sep 13 & Sun Sep 14)

If you've been sitting on tickets, you probably waited too long. Bruno Mars plays Raymond James Stadium Saturday AND Sunday this weekend, and it's the highest-demand show in the region by a significant margin. Saturday seats are going for $367 and up. Sunday is a bit more accessible starting around $242. Either night is a stadium-scale production you're not going to catch in a club. If you've got tickets, clear your schedule.

The Strokes at Benchmark International Arena (Sat Sep 12)

The Strokes land at Benchmark International Arena (what most people still call Amalie Arena) on Saturday night. If you didn't know the name changed, you're not alone. Tickets start around $86 and there's still availability. This is a good room for a show like this. The Strokes play tight and loud, and the setlist typically pulls from across all five albums. Worth it if you've ever had Is This It or Room on Fire in heavy rotation.

Luke Bryan and Kehlani at MidFlorida (Thu Sep 10 & Fri Sep 11)

The amphitheater on the fairgrounds has back-to-back headliners this week. Luke Bryan closes out the country side of things Thursday (tickets from $71), and Kehlani brings a different energy Friday (from $77). Both are full production outdoor shows. The lawn at MidFlorida is underrated for a summer evening if you're not precious about being in a seat.

ABBA Night at Orpheum Tampa (Fri Sep 11)

Gimme Gimme Disco runs a dedicated ABBA tribute night at Orpheum Tampa on Friday. Tickets start at $66. This one's been selling well and it's the kind of show that draws a genuinely fun crowd. If your group has mixed taste in music and someone doesn't want to commit to a stadium or arena show, this is a good call.

Snow Strippers + Isaiah Rashad at Jannus Live (Sat Sep 12 & Sun Sep 13)

Jannus Live in St. Pete has two solid shows back to back. Snow Strippers play Saturday night, Isaiah Rashad on Sunday. Jannus is one of the best outdoor venues in the state for a mid-size show. If you haven't been, it's worth the drive from wherever you are in the bay area just for the setting.

Rays Baseball: Houston Astros Home Series (Fri–Sun)

Tampa Bay is sitting at 85-58 on the season, first in the AL East, and pushing toward what's shaping up to be a legitimate playoff run. The Astros are in town for a three-game home series at Tropicana Field this weekend. Tickets start at $17 for the Friday game. If you haven't caught the Rays this season and they're looking this good, the weekend is a reasonable excuse to go.

The Oakland series starts Tuesday the 15th if you can't make the weekend work.

Bucs Week 1: Tampa Bay at Cincinnati (Sun Sep 13, 1 PM)

It's an away game, so you're watching from a couch or a bar. The Buccaneers open the 2026 season Sunday in Cincinnati. There's no home game this week, but it's football, it counts, and every Bucs bar in the area will have it on. A good excuse to get out of the house for an afternoon.

Tampa Bay Women's Fall Expo (Sat Sep 12)

If you're looking for something that doesn't involve a ticket line or a floor crowd, the Tampa Bay Women's Fall Expo runs Saturday at the Florida State Fairgrounds. Shopping, local vendors, wellness, and the kind of afternoon that doesn't require earplugs. Good option if you want to do something without committing to a 10 PM show time.

That's the week. A lot going on and most of it is worth leaving the house for.

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