HIP-HOP ARTIST FLO RIDA TO HEADLINE THE 2026 JERSEY MIKE'S SUBS BEST BUDDIES MIAMI GALA

 Event expected to raise $5 Million for Best Buddies International's Mission of Inclusion for
Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

MIAMI, Nov. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Best Buddies International, a nonprofit dedicated to creating opportunities for friendship, employment, leadership development, inclusive living, and family support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), is thrilled to present its Best Buddies Challenge: Miami Chaired by Kenneth C. Griffin and Griffin Catalyst and Presented by the Andrew P. Barowsky Foundation, The Coca-Cola Company – The Official Beverage Partner of Best Buddies and Mack Cycle & Fitness, and the Jersey Mike's Subs Best Buddies Miami Gala on Saturday, November 14 at MANA Wynwood. Collectively, this year's bike ride and Gala are expected to raise $5 million for Best Buddies programs.

The celebration of inclusion kicks off Friday, November 13 with the inaugural Best Buddies Golf Classic: Miami Presented by the GEO Group at the iconic Turnberry Isle Golf Course, bringing together an intimate field of golfers for a championship-level tournament. Professional golfer and PGA Tour winner Bud Cauley, and Jared Stancil, one of the top 10 adaptive golfers in the world, will headline the event. Participants of the Best Buddies Golf Classic: Miami will also have an exciting opportunity to win an INEOS Grenadier during a special Hole-in-One Challenge, sponsored by Ocean INEOS Grenadier.

The festivities continue Saturday morning with the Best Buddies Challenge: Miami at the Four Seasons Hotel Miami. The Miami Challenge is a world-class cycling event that features a ride through some of the most historic and scenic locations in Miami, South Beach and Key Biscayne. Limited to just 55 participants, riders will experience a Tour de France-style police-escorted peloton with route options of 75 or 100 miles. Leading this year's ride are professional cyclists Chris Froome, Cameron Wurf, Leanda Cave and AJ August. The Challenge includes professional athletes, high-profile personalities, as well as the participation of athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The Gala will take place in the evening, celebrating the Best Buddies' mission and honoring the dedication of supporters, participants and volunteers. The event will feature a cocktail hour, gourmet dinner, live and silent auctions and a live performance by Hip-Hop Artist Flo Rida.

Other notable guests scheduled to attend the gala include Jersey Mike's Subs Founder Peter Cancro; Actress Crystle Stewart; and Miss America 2027 Regan Hutsell.

Alongside the gala, the Champion of the Year returns to the Miami Gala. Community leaders are paired with Best Buddies program participants in this fundraising challenge, and the duo that raises the most funds is named the Champion of the Year.

"The 28th Annual Best Buddies Miami Gala is a celebration of friendship, inclusion, and the incredible generosity of our sponsors and supporters who make our mission possible," said Anthony K. Shriver, founder, chairman, and CEO of Best Buddies International. "For nearly three decades, this event has brought our community together to create meaningful opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The generosity of our sponsors and donors has a direct and lasting impact right here in South Florida, helping us expand opportunities for meaningful friendships, employment, leadership development, independent living, and family support. Their unwavering commitment is not only transforming lives but also creating a lasting legacy of inclusion, opportunity, and belonging for individuals with IDD throughout South Florida."

Proceeds from the event will directly contribute to advancing Best Buddies' mission.

The following sponsors have demonstrated their belief in the Best Buddies mission through their generosity and commitment:

Title sponsors: Jersey Mike's Subs and Kenneth C. Griffin, Griffin Catalyst.

Presenting sponsors: Andrew P. Barowsky Foundation and The Coca-Cola Company – The Official Beverage Partners of Best Buddies, The GEO Group Foundation and Mack Cycle & Fitness.

Event supporters: The Ansin Foundation, The Arison Family Foundation, Belmont Village Senior Living, Braman Miami, Ronald L. Book PA, City National Bank, Ugo Colombo, Energy Resources, fairlife – Official Dairy Beverage Partner of Best Buddies, The Ferraro Law Firm, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, Andrea Fuerer & Mayor Glenn Singer, Ronald S. Haft Foundation, Hawkeye Digital, HIG Capital, Holland & Knight, Inktel Holdings Corp, Jackson Health System, May Liang & James Lintott, Ines Lorenzo Gomez, Midstate Mitsubishi, Ocean Automotive Group, Ortega Construction Company, Marley & Brett Overman, Pinarello, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Commissioner Micky Steinberg/Miami-Dade County District 4, Sun Capital Partners Foundation, Brett & Daniel Sundheim, Talento, Town of Golden Beach, TUUCI, and Value Store It.

ABOUT BEST BUDDIES INTERNATIONAL:
Best Buddies® is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, inclusive living, and family support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant organization that has grown from one original chapter to nearly 3,800 elementary, middle school, high school, and college chapters worldwide. Today, Best Buddies' programs engage participants in each of the 50 states and in 41 countries, positively impacting the lives of nearly 1.5 million people with and without disabilities around the world. In many cases, because of their involvement with Best Buddies, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities secure rewarding jobs, live on their own, become inspirational leaders, and make lifelong friendships. For more information, please visit www.bestbuddies.org, facebook.com/bestbuddies or instagram.com/bestbuddies. 

SOURCE Best Buddies International