TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)—Excitement is in the air as the 2026 Florida Python Challenge kicks off this Friday, offering participants the chance to score big wins.
Aspiring contestants can now register to compete for a slice of the $25,000 prize pool, with registration remaining open until the challenge concludes.
Organized by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, this year’s python hunt will start on July 10 at the stroke of midnight and continue until July 19 at 5 p.m., concentrating efforts on removing invasive Burmese pythons from the Everglades.
The 2026 Florida Python Challenge, a collaboration between FWC and the Southwest Florida Water Management District, features a compelling $10,000 grand prize for the contestant who successfully removes the most pythons.
Participants have the chance to earn additional cash awards for achievements such as removing the most pythons and capturing the longest specimens across three competition categories, according to FWC.
- Novice
To register and complete the required online training for the Python Challenge, visit their website.
Last year, participants of the Python Challenge removed a competition record of 294 invasive Burmese pythons from the Everglades, which resulted in a total of 1,406 of the nonnative constrictors being removed during all Florida Python Challenge competitions to date, FWC said.
There were 934 participants from 30 different states and Canada who registered for the 10-day competition in 2025.
According to the FWC, the Burmese python is not native to Florida and is found in and around the Everglades ecosystem, where they prey on birds, mammals, and other reptiles.
A female Burmese python can lay 50 to more than 100 eggs at a time.
More than 27,000 Burmese pythons have been reported to the FWC as removed from Florida’s environment since 2000.
In 2025, the ultimate grand prize went to Taylor Stanberry, who removed 60 Burmese pythons.