"Building off the success from last year's reinvented format that elevated flag football and introduced fun forms of competition and entertainment, we are thrilled to bring the 2024 Pro Bowl Games to Orlando. Hosting multiple Pro Bowls in years past, Orlando is a world-class destination and a favorite getaway for our players and their families, and we look forward to working with the city of Orlando and Florida Citrus Sports to create the ultimate all-star celebration for players, their families and our fans."

- Peter O'Reilly, NFL

Executive Vice President

Club Business and League Events

Around The Horn.

• The 2024 Pro Bowl Games are coming back to Orlando. The NFL announced the reimagined Pro Bowl, which was held in Orlando four straight seasons between 2017-2020, will be played at Camping World Stadium on Feb. 4. The weeklong event features AFC vs. NFC stars competing in various skills challenges and culminates with a flag-football game. Peyton Manning and his brother, Eli, again will coach the two teams.
• Be one of the first to get your tickets to the Orlando Solar Bears Opening Night on Thursday, Oct. 19th as they kick off the 2023-24 season against the Florida Everblades! Grab a mystery ticket to the home opener and you could end up with the best seat in the house. You will have the chance to be seated in the Attack and Defend zones, Center Ice, Club Level, and even the potential for premium seating and all-inclusive. Tickets purchased together will be seated together.
• Magic coach Jamahl Mosley has been named the head coach of the 2023 USA Men’s Select Team, which will train with the USA Basketball Men’s National Team as it prepares for the FIBA Men’s World Cup Aug. 25-Sep. 10 in Manila.
• Big 12 presidents and chancellors voted unanimously Wednesday night to accept Colorado as a new member, clearing the way for the school to leave the Pac-12 and rejoin the conference, a person with knowledge of the meeting told The Associated Press.
• Orlando City SC opened up Leagues Cup play with a 5-4 penalty-shootout win at home against fellow MLS member Houston, giving the Lions 2 points heading into their last group-stage game against Santos Laguna. The Lions came out swinging after halftime, with forward Duncan McGuire scoring in the 46th minute.
• Marta’s sixth World Cup will be her last, but the Orlando Pride star has a chance to make history as the first player — male or female — to score in six tournaments. She’s already the all-time leading scorer in the Women’s World Cup with 17 goals. But more important to Marta is winning the World Cup, something the Brazil women’s national team has never done
• Lindsey Horan scored a revenge goal minutes after being knocked down by Danielle Van de Donk in the second half Thursday to help the United States squeeze out a 1-1 draw with the Netherlands at the Women’s World Cup.
• The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and RefReps have entered into a three-year agreement in which RefReps will be recognized as an education content collaborator for NFHS officiating education initiatives. RefReps, is currently working with 32 member state high school associations in various capacities and provides online training for officials as well as curriculum for high school and college students wanting to learn how to become officials.
• Katie Ledecky won the 1,500-meter freestyle with ease at the World Aquatics Championships in a landmark victory which made her the most decorated female swimmer at the worlds with 20 golds overall, 15 of which have come in individual events.
• Greater Orlando Sports Commission will host our 5th annual Celebrating Women in Sports luncheon presented by Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute on Wednesday, September 13 at UCF's Addition Financial Arena. This year's featured speaker is Joan Benoit Samuelson, winner of the first ever women's Olympic marathon at the 1984 games in Los Angeles, and pioneer of women's marathoning. To purchase a table and inquire about sponsorship opportunities, contact Michael Kalinich. Click here to purchase individual tickets.

In The News.

• Lake Nona developer Tavistock Development Co. has announced plans for a massive new lifestyle shopping center on the western portion of the master-planned community in Orlando.
• Construction began in early February on the new Robinson Recharge Mobility Hub, which will feature up to 20 new Level 3 charging stations on OUC-owned property. The $1.8 million project has finally been completed and is the largest of its kind in the state, with the capability to charge a variety of different types of battery-powered vehicles.
• The Orlando City Council voted to extend the city’s Pilot Program for Scooter Share Services back in December 2020 but recently voted to make the program permanent at last week’s council meeting. A new permit program has since been adopted that will allow for three two-year operating permits to three scooter rental companies; Bird, Lime, and Veo. 
• Orlando Science Center is closer to a debut for its largest exhibit yet. The local museum is roughly 60% complete on the Life by Dr. Sarah Layton exhibit that will take up more than 10,000 square feet within the museum. The exhibit broke ground at the start of June 2022 and represents more than $13.5 million worth of investment that is targeting a spring 2024 opening.
• National entrepreneurial support organization 1 Million Cups will launch its first Lake County chapter on Sept. 13 in Eustis. Lake Economic Area Development (LEAD) Partnership, which has a focus on entrepreneurship, was designated to launch the nonprofit chapter and manage it until it becomes self-sustaining, said LEAD Vice President Ray Villegas.
• UCF Board of Trustees on July 31 will consider approving roughly $700,000 in funding requests from the Florida Board of Governors tied to equipment and scholarship funds from the state's Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) Fund. The total funding requests — in two separate $350,000 increments — would match part of the more than $10 million combined committed by AdventHealth and Orlando Health to the program and its proposed $68 million building in southeast Orlando's Lake Nona.

Stay Engaged.

• WMFE and Orlando Science Center will host a STEAM-focused event on July 28 featuring veteran NASA astronaut Nicole Stott and WMFE’s own space reporter, Brendan Byrne. The event will feature a Q&A session and meet-and-greet with Stott that looks at her journey as an astronaut and her fusion of art and space exploration and how it has inspired her outreach work now that she’s back on Earth. 
• Art enthusiasts can step back this weekend and witness centuries of printing history still at work during a studio open-house event. UCF’s Flying Horse Editions, a research studio specializing in printmaking, will open its doors to the public to show the collaborative process used by studio staff and artists. From 10 a.m.-1 p.m. July 29, see finished works and a behind-the-scenes look at screen printing, monotypes, lithography, woodblock printing and more.
• Disney Springs’ Flavors of Florida is preparing to return to Walt Disney World Resort this summer with even more savory dishes and a scrumptious new culinary series featuring renowned chefs. Running July 1 through Aug. 13, more than 30 locations throughout Disney Springs will be featuring a variety of food and drinks that celebrate homegrown flavors from Florida.
• Join Mayor Dyer and representatives from Orlando's Citizen Advisory Boards on Wednesday, August 30 at 5:30 p.m. at The Monroe for a Boards and Brews event to learn how you can make an impact by serving on a city board. As board members, residents contribute to the policy-making process, offering valuable input and review of city programs. Registration is required. Click here for more information or to begin an application to serve on a City of Orlando Advisory Board or Commission.  
• Unleash your inner artist at Art in the Heart: Paint & Sip event at CityArts on Wednesday, August 23. This will be a perfect mid-week pick-me-up full of creativity, drinks, and delectable bites. With expert guidance, you'll create a masterpiece all while enjoying a lively atmosphere and meet new friends in the downtown Orlando community. Tickets are $35 and include lite bites, two drink tickets and all the art supplies needed.
• Volunteer to keep the Heart of Orlando Clean and Green! On Sunday, September 10, join City District Main Street and their community partners as they work together to pick up litter and remove graffiti in downtown Orlando. Volunteers will receive FREE tickets to an Orlando Magic preseason game!
• Universal Passholder Appreciation Days is Back on Aug. 15 - Sept. 30, 2023. Includes over six weeks of exclusive offers, special events, discounts, Passholder opportunities and more. 
• EDC will return to Orlando on November 10-12 at Tinker Field at Camping World Stadium and the lineup has been released. The annual three-day music festival boasts multiple stages in different sections of the venue and attracted over 100,000 people a day at the 2022 event. 
• Florida Residents can save up to $65 on select multi-day tickets at Universal Orlando theme parks when buying online. Click here for current offers.
• Florida residents can save big while visiting Walt Disney World Resort theme parks. Click here to view the current list of special offers.

In The Community.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel with the recipient of the Ally Award at this year's Boujee Ball. The award was presented by GO Sports board member, Justin Williams (Grand Bohemian Hotel Orlando).

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel met with Senator Rubio's team earlier this week to provide an update on the sports commission.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel attended a lunch hosted by British Consulate-General Miami and HM Consul General Rufus Drabble to discuss the importance of UK/US collaboration in sport.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel attended the EPL Summer Series match between Aston Villa and Fulham at Exploria Stadium this week, pictured here with TJ Villamil, Deputy Secretary of Commerce for the State of Florida.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel attended a luncheon at UCF with GO Sports Board Member Derek Frederickson (Coca-Cola Beverages Florida).

GO Sports Executive VP Jennifer Lastik attended the WISE Within Mentor Program Mid-Year Event at the Milkhouse.

GO Sports Senior Director Lindsey McBride participated in the AJGA Bay Hill Invitational Junior-Am this week along with board members Jackie Hayter (Orlando Health) and Tammy Gustafson (Universal Orlando).

GO Sports Senior VP Brent Nelson, along with staff from Visit Orlando and the Orange County Convention Center, visited with Bob Clark from Ultimate Ninja Athlete Association at the 2023 UNAA World Series Finals and Obstacle Sports Expo being hosted at the OCCC\ this week.

Chris Heller (Orlando Solar Bears), GO Sports board member Chris Mueller (Hilton Orlando) and Phil Zeman (SouthState Bank) also took part in the AJGA Bay Hill Invitational Junior-Am.

New Corporate Partner.

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Thank you for supporting sports tourism in Greater Orlando!

Fun & Games.



• Video: Behind the scenes of Orlando Science Fair
• First impression: Epcot’s pickle milkshake, Muppets at Brew-Wing, more