Impact Update for Thursday, March 21
“We are thrilled to continue our tradition of connecting the globe through sport. We look forward to delivering a first-class experience to our English visitors with help from our partners locally in Orlando and across North America.”

-Ricardo Villar, CEO
Florida Cup / FC Series

"The FC Series, together with our Orlando training camp, will provide Mikel and the squad with an excellent level of preparation as we focus on next season. We look forward to confirming further plans for our pre-season very soon."

-Edu Gaspar, Technical Director
Arsenal

"We've always had a lot of success on our US tours, taking so many fans to the stadium's and giving them the opportunity to see Chelsea FC play live. We have a huge fan base in the US that we've proudly built and we've seen that fan base getting bigger and bigger every year. We are delighted to go and play in the FC Series and the Florida Cup, where in total we will have three competitive games to prepare well for our upcoming season and to show what we can do to the American audience." 

-Petr Cech, Technical Director &
Performance Advisor, Chelsea FC

See Florida Cup story below...
Quote of the Day.

“If you train hard, you'll not only be hard, you'll be hard to beat.”

- Hershel Walker
Don't forget - the 2022 SPORTYS nomination period closes TOMORROW, Friday, April 22. Nominate someone for a SPORTY today!
Around The Horn.


  • English Premier League rivals Arsenal and Chelsea, two of the world's most popular and successful professional soccer clubs, will meet at Camping World Stadium on July 23 for the Florida Cup. The stateside derby will be the finale of a weeklong "FC Series" expansion featuring international matches across the United States. The Florida Cup has taken place in the state since 2015, featuring clubs from all over the world. In 2022, the FC Series will extend the weeklong "Clash of Nations" festival to multiple venues. Arsenal will play Orlando City SC at Exploria Stadium on July 20, a first-time meeting between the two clubs.
  • The 2022 MexTour kicks off next week on Wednesday, April 27 at 8:00pm, when the Mexican National Team battles Guatemala at Camping World Stadium. Click here and use passcode "M2N2T" to unlock a $5 off ticket offer!
  • Orlando City advanced to the next round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday. Goals from Alexandre Pato and Junior Urso were enough to secure the Lions a 2-1 victory over USL Championship club Tampa Bay Rowdies at Exploria Stadium.
  • Join RefReps and Orange County Public Schools for a free Referee Recruiting Fair on Monday, May 9 from 6-8pm at Boone High School. Learn how to become a referee, get access to training, education and certification, and start earning money officiating sports in our local community! Click here to register now.
  • Volunteers are still needed for the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games being hosted in venues across Greater Orlando on June 5-12. Anyone interested in volunteering (must be at least 15 years old) should sign up by May 1 on the USA Games website.
  • Orlando area high school baseball teams have limited time to prepare for the Florida High School Athletic Association playoffs as just two weeks remain in the regular season. District tournaments begin May 2 throughout the state. Games played through the end of this week will count toward district seeding, which is determined by FHSAA power rankings.
  • Orlando's most popular bars and eateries will take over the Camping World Stadium clubs and suites on Friday, April 29, at 7 pm, with the return of Florida Citrus Sports' annual Sideline Wine and Dine fundraiser presented by OAI. Sample fine wines, craft beers and delectable dishes from dozens of local favorites, with proceeds benefiting the Florida Citrus Sports Foundation's continued K-8 educational efforts in The Communities of West Lakes near Camping World Stadium.
  • The Orlando area 2022 track and field top performers list is stocked with contenders hoping to win at the upcoming FHSAA state meet at UF.
  • Jay Wright, who led Villanova to two national championships and four Final Fours, stunned college basketball with his resignation at age 60.
  • Credit must be given to NASCAR for shaking up the status quo and trying new things. Progressive thinking is how the Cup Series wound up back at dirt-covered Bristol Motor Speedway for a second consecutive year, this time racing late into the night on Easter Sunday — a previously taboo date for the sport.
  • UCF redshirt freshman linebacker Cole Joyce has entered his name in the NCAA transfer portal. Joyce appeared in only one game while working primarily with the scout team last season. He will have at least four years of eligibility remaining at his next school.
In The News.


Stay Engaged.
Executive Spotlight.

  • Tavistock Development is currently seeking a Senior Events Manager. Tavistock Development is a diversified real estate firm specializing in planning, design, finance, construction and development. If you are proactive and value results, are innovative, play as a team and want to work with a growing company, click here for more information and to apply today.
  • The Downtown Orlando Partnership is hiring a Marketing and Experience Specialist, responsible for the organization and management of all Downtown Orlando Partnership and Foundation communication and marketing, as well as membership relations, administrative support, event management, and intern oversight. Click here for more information and to apply.
  • The Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando North is hiring a Sales Manager focusing on the Sports Market. The position is responsible for representing the company to customers, the public and other external sources, including the development and performance of sales activities. Click here for more information and to apply, or call Sandra Waldron at 407-571-3445.
In The Community.
GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel attended the Boy Scout Golden Eagle Gala this week. Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins was honored during the event, pictured here with Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings and Eric Magendantz from the Central Florida Council Boy Scouts of America
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings hosted the 2022 Orange County Regional Economic Summit at Full Sail Live. GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel and Executive VP Jennifer Lastik were in attendance
Congratulations to GO Sports Executive Vice President Jennifer Lastik, who was recently inducted into Slippery Rock University's Department of Sports Management Hall of Fame!
Our Monster Jam street team was out at John Euliano Park over the weekend for a UCF Baseball home game
GO Sports Senior Director Lindsey McBride, co-chair of the WISE (Women in Sports & Events) Greater Orlando membership committee hosted a virtual info session to speak to local women about the benefits of membership
GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel presented at the I-Drive Chamber of Commerce luncheon alongside GO Sports board member Steve Hogan, CEO of Florida Citrus Sports. Board Member Chris Mueller, GM of Hilton Orlando, is the current chair of the I-Drive Chamber of Commerce
Local Resources.

  • Visit these pages for the most critical local health and government updates:
  • City of Orlando: COVID-19 Homepage | Testing Sites | Vaccine Sites
  • Orange County: COVID-19 Homepage | Testing Sites | Vaccine Sites
  • Osceola County: COVID-19 Homepage | Testing Sites | Vaccine Sites
  • Seminole County: COVID-19 Homepage | Testing Sites | Vaccine Sites
  • Lake County: Homepage
  • City of Orlando:
  • The Downtown Development Board (DDB) and Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) created a webpage to assist with identifying grants and incentives that may be available to downtown businesses.
  • Orlando's City Council approved the Safety Awareness for Everyone (S.A.F.E) Program, creating an incentive for businesses and properties to purchase and install security measures that are intended to help deter crime and provide a safer environment for business owners, employees, and visitors. Entertainment businesses including, but not limited to, bars, nightclubs, and entertainment venues located within the City of Orlando’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) footprint shall be eligible for funding to purchase and install security measures which include identification scanners, security cameras, and metal detection systems. Other properties located within the CRA shall be eligible for funding to purchase and install security cameras only. Applicants are eligible to receive up to $10,000 or 50% of the total cost of eligible products, whichever is less. Click here for more info and to apply now.
  • Orange County:
  • The #IGotMyShot mobile vaccination trailer continues to visit neighborhoods and businesses throughout Orange County. For next week’s schedule, or for more information about the #IGotMyShot campaign, visit ocfl.net/IGotMyShot.
  • Orange County’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program remains open for individuals who are behind on rent or at risk of being evicted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, more than $15.3 million have been approved to keep 2,635 families in their homes. Recently, the City of Orlando announced it has depleted its current federal funds dedicated to its Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Orange County is stepping in to bridge the gap and will temporarily offer assistance to Orlando residents, effective now until further notice. Eligible residents include those living in unincorporated Orange County, Apopka, Bay Lake, Belle Isle, Eatonville, Edgewood, Lake Buena Vista, Maitland, Oakland, Ocoee, Orlando, Windermere, Winter Garden and Winter Park. Residents can visit ocfl.net/RentalAssistance to review program details and to check if their address is eligible.
  • CareerSource Central Florida is helping career seekers and displaced workers apply for the Reemployment Assistance program through the Department of Economic Opportunity.
  • Osceola County:
  • Osceola County is currently accepting applications for emergency utility assistance for households impacted by COVID19. Funding is available for electric, gas, and water utilities only. If you reside in Osceola County and your household is impacted, please click here to complete the application.
  • Lake County:
  • For Lake County residents, United Way of Lake and Sumter Counties is able to assist with CARES/ERA/SHIP Federal funds for rent and utilities. For more information on eligibility and documents needed, or to make an appointment, please visit their Family Stability Services page.
  • Seminole County:
  • If you have been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis and live in Seminole County, The Sharing Center is currently accepting applications for rent/mortgage and utilities assistance. Click here for program criteria and to learn how to apply.
  • Additional Resources:
  • The US Small Business Association has compiled a database of private funding options to help small businesses. Browse the options available nationally, or input a zip code to explore location-specific funding.