FLORIDA - Florida's annual Python Challenge is returning this summer, giving participants another opportunity to help remove invasive Burmese pythons while competing for thousands of dollars in prize money.
The 2026 Florida Python Challenge will take place from July 10th through July 19th.
Organized by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in partnership with the South Florida Water Management District, the event encourages the public to remove invasive Burmese pythons from designated public lands across South Florida while increasing awareness about the impact the species has on native wildlife.
The competition includes a total prize pool of $25,000. A $10,000 grand prize will be awarded to the registered participant who removes the most Burmese pythons during the 10 day event.
Additional cash prizes will be presented in both the Professional and Novice divisions, along with awards for the longest python removed and separate categories for active duty military members and veterans.
The challenge follows a record setting 2025 event in which 934 participants from 30 states and Canada removed 294 Burmese pythons, the highest total in the competition's history.
Since the event began, participants have removed more than 1,400 pythons, contributing to Florida's broader effort to reduce the invasive species.
State officials also report that more than 27,000 Burmese pythons have been removed through various management programs since 2000.
Burmese pythons are native to Southeast Asia but have established breeding populations throughout the Everglades, where they prey on birds, mammals, reptiles and other native wildlife.
Registration for the challenge remains open through the final day of the event.
Participants must complete an online training course and pass a required quiz before competing.