Park Construction Shelves 2025 Petanque Event

Construction of Fernandina Beach's waterfront park means there will be no international petanque tournament in 2025.

The Petanque Amelia Island Open is the largest petanque event in America, drawing players from all over the globe to compete annually for the petanque championship on courts located on the south end of the city marina.

 

"City officials and the contractor have advised us that construction of the park will not be completed until late December 2025. For that reason, we have put the Amelia Open on hiatus until November 2026 at which time we will renew the tradition of our annual event in a new waterfront park setting," announced Amelia Island Petanque Club President John Abbott. "We wanted to share this news with you as soon as possible because we know many of you make plans well in advance to play in the Open and visit beautiful Amelia Island."

 

The event attracts close to 400 players along with their family and friends to the city each November. While more recent specific figures are not readily available, the event's continued popularity suggests it remains a significant contributor to the local economy. The tournament not only boosts revenue for local businesses but also enhances the city's reputation as a vibrant cultural destination.

In 2017, this event drew participants from all 50 U.S. states and 19 countries, generating an estimated economic impact of over $800,000 from off-island visitors.

 

 "For the past 15 years the Amelia Island Petanque Club has hosted the Amelia Open at the marina in downtown Fernandina Beach, Florida. In March, the city will begin construction on a $2.1 million waterfront park, which will encompass the entire site we normally occupy for the Open. The plan includes extensive hardscape and landscaping, a pavilion, a small playground, a large green space, restrooms and accommodation of our Club’s sixteen competition pétanque courts," Abbott said.