Annual event supports more than 270 student-athletes across 15 NCAA Division I programs
FORT MYERS, Fla. (Oct. 6, 2026) – Tickets are now available for Florida Gulf Coast University Athletics’ Night at the Nest Gala, taking place Thursday, Dec. 10, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa. The 2026 event marks the first time Night at the Nest will be held outside Alico Arena.
Night at the Nest is FGCU Athletics’ annual fundraising gala, supporting more than 270 student-athletes across 15 NCAA Division I programs. Proceeds from the event support student-athlete academic excellence, including physical and mental health, while also strengthening our ability to provide innovative technology for championship performance and facilities.
“I’ve quickly learned how strongly this community supports FGCU Athletics,” said Brian Barrio, FGCU Director of Athletics. “Night at the Nest brings that support together in a meaningful way and helps ensure we continue providing the resources and opportunities our teams need to succeed.”
The 2026 gala will feature a cocktail reception, dinner and live and silent auctions. Those unable to attend the gala in person can participate by bidding on items featured in the event’s online silent auction, with a link to the auction made available to the public prior to the event.
Since beginning NCAA Division I competition in 2007, FGCU Athletics has earned more than 115 conference championships, and its teams have advanced to 62 NCAA Tournaments. Last year, the Eagles set a new standard with the highest-ever departmental spring term grade point average of 3.52 and produced an academic year average GPA of 3.55, the highest in program history.
Current sponsors for the 2026 Night at the Nest Gala include Premier Sponsor Shady Rest Foundation; Green & Blue Sponsor Diamond District; Wings Up Sponsors NCH, RDJ Construction and Suncoast Beverage Sales; Nest Sponsors Cooper Hotels, Crown Residential Services, Gulfpoint Construction, Pepsi and The Garden Place; Endurance Sponsors JPMorgan Chase, Kayda & David Johnson, Presstige Printing, Sugarshack Downtown, The Perry Hotel – Naples and United Mechanical; Legacy Sponsor Gator Golf Cars; and Media Sponsors Naples Illustrated, Gulfshore Business and The Naples Press.
Reservations are available for $3,000 per table of 10. A limited number of individual tickets are available for $300 each. Sponsorship and underwriting opportunities are also available. For sponsorship information, contact Madison Lord at [email protected] or 239-590-7107.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit fgcu.edu/natn.
The mission of Florida Gulf Coast University Athletics is to empower student-athletes to become transformative leaders and champions in the classroom, in competition and in the community. The Florida Gulf Coast University Foundation supports this mission by securing and managing philanthropic resources for scholarships, athletic excellence and university-wide initiatives that benefit both student-athletes and the broader community.
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