"In these instances, if you fall asleep, you're out. Those who fall asleep lose. It's not February when you can take up again, turn the page, and get back into it...What comes next are games in which there is no tomorrow, it's the playoffs."

-Oscar Pareja

Orlando City SC Head Coach

Around The Horn.

• The Orlando Magic defeated the Miami Heat 116-97 on Wednesday to capture a road win on opening night of the NBA season. The Magic (1-0) went into halftime with just a four-point lead, but quickly dominated in the second half to take control of the game. The Magic now host the Brooklyn Nets tomorrow, Oct. 25 for the team's home opener at the Kia Center at 7:00pm.
• Orlando City SC are in the playoffs! The Lions enter the postseason in the No. 4 position, set to begin Round One of the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs, a best-of-three series, against Charlotte FC this Sunday, Oct. 27 at Inter&Co Stadium at 7:30pm. If necessary, the third match would be played at Inter&Co Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 9 at 6:00pm.
• The Orlando Pride dropped a 3-1 decision on Sunday evening, falling to Gotham FC at Red Bull Arena. The match marked only the second loss of the season for the Pride, who have already secured the No. 1 seed heading into the 2024 NWSL Playoffs. The Pride (17-2-6, 57 points) will now see a week off from play due to the upcoming international break, finishing out the regular season on Nov. 2 when they host Seattle Reign FC at Inter&Co Stadium.
• UCF Football will look to bounce back from its loss to Iowa State last Saturday as the team now hosts BYU for a 3:30pm Homecoming Game this Saturday, Oct. 26 against the Cougars. The Knights (3-4, 1-3 Big 12) are currently T-10 in the Big 12 Conference power rankings and can move up following a strong showing at FBC Mortgage Stadium this weekend.
• The Orlando Solar Bears kicked off their 2024-25 season last week with a 5-4 overtime victory against the Greenville Swamp Rabbits. The Solar Bears (1-0) will now host the Savannah Ghost Pirates for their home-opener in the Kia Center this Saturday, Oct. 26 at 7:00pm.
• The FC Series has announced its lineup for the January 2025 matches coming soon to Orlando. The lineup includes São Paulo FC’s return to Florida and the first edition of Superclássico Mineiro between Atlético and Cruzeiro to be played in the U.S., as well as a showdown between Atlético and Orlando City SC, fresh off its 2024 MLS playoff run. Tickets for the match will go on sale to the general public on Thursday, Oct. 31.
• The Osceola Magic, NBA G League affiliate of the Orlando Magic, have announced the team schedule for the 2024-25 regular season, and single-game tickets are now on sale! The Magic will kick off their season Friday, November 8 at Osceola Heritage Park when they host the Austin Spurs at 7:00pm.
• The next generation of future stars will become the present on Nov. 25, when Pro Volleyball Federation holds its second annual collegiate player draft. The 2024 PVF Draft will take place over five rounds with each team granted rights to one selection per round. The Orlando Valkyries will pick third in the first round, followed by four more picks scattered throughout the rounds.

The Orlando Pride's first-ever home playoff match is set! Your Orlando Pride will host its NWSL Playoff Quarterfinals at Inter&Co Stadium on Friday, November 8th at 8:00pm. With the final match day of the regular season set for November 2nd, the final two playoff spots are still up for grabs, with the team finishing No. 8 set to travel to downtown Orlando to face the Pride.

In The News.

• Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer announced several downtown projects during his 2024 State of Downtown address, including his vision of turning Magnolia Avenue into Orlando's version of New York's Park Avenue or Chicago's Magnificent Mile. Conceptual renderings for this long-discussed remake were displayed for the first time, showing the now one-way northbound street transformed into a two-way road with wide sidewalks, on-street parking, public spaces and shade trees.
• FEMA has designated Orange County residents as eligible for individual assistance following Hurricane Milton last week. To be eligible for federal aid under FEMA's Individual Assistance Program, storm damage and losses from the hurricane and flooding must have occurred as a result of Hurricane Milton. Residents who suffered Milton-related damages are encouraged to register with FEMA online at DisasterAssistance.gov, on the FEMA Mobile App, or by calling (800)-621-3362.
• The City of Orlando's Community Redevelopment Agency has launched Ride DTO, downtown Orlando's newest eco-friendly transportation option. For just $1 per ride, Ride DTO makes navigating downtown easier than ever, and Circuit Transit, Inc. offers a fleet of all-electric vehicles. Daily service runs from 8:00am - 8:00pm, and new users can take advantage of a special first-rider offer: ride for free on their first three trips with code RIDEDTO.
• Kia Center and hospitality partner Levy teamed up on an evolved local food and beverage experience that serves the best food and beverage offerings celebrating Orlando’s diverse and thriving culinary community. Orlando Table, the arena’s platform to showcase the city’s and region’s favorite restaurants, chefs and purveyors, will expand this year to feature eight local favorites across concourse concessions.
• For the seventh consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report ranked the University of Central Florida (UCF) as one of the nation’s top five most innovative public universities in its annual “Best Colleges” rankings. Rollins College was ranked as the top private institution and No. 2 overall among the 133 schools in the regional universities in the South category.
• UCF unveiled its new UCF Center of Excellence for Hypersonic & Space Propulsion on Wednesday of this week, according to Orlando Business Journal. The 50,800-square-foot facility at 12889 Ingenuity Way will study travel at speeds of up to Mach 17, or 13,000 mph. UCF research first stabilized the detonation process — a much stronger form of propulsion than exists in commercial use — in 2021.

Georgia, Marshall, Penn State and Tulsa will compete in the inaugural WBCA Showcase at Walt Disney World Resort. The college women’s basketball event will be held Thursday and Saturday, Nov. 21 and 23, 2024, and will continue on Sunday, Nov. 24, with a doubleheader featuring four different teams — Jacksonville, Louisville, Mississippi State and South Florida. All six games will be played in State Farm Field House at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

The ESPN Events Invitational returns to ESPN Wide World of Sports on November 28 and 29. The four-team field is highlighted by projected Top 25 team Florida, who will square off against Wake Forest in the second Semifinal. The first Semifinal on Thanksgiving Day will feature Minnesota vs. Wichita State.

One of college basketball’s most storied early-season tournaments, the NIT Season Tip-Off moves to Walt Disney World's ESPN Wide World of Sports after 35+ years in New York City. The field is highlighted by Utah State, who has qualified for four of the last five NCAA Tournaments. They will play 2021 Atlantic-10 Champion St. Bonaventure in the first Semifinal on Thanksgiving Day. The second Semifinal will feature 2023 Postseason NIT Champion North Texas and Northern Iowa.

Stay Engaged.

• Universal Orlando has announced the opening date for its Epic Universe theme park, now set to open on May 22, 2025 ahead of Memorial Day Weekend. Multi-day tickets for the park will go on sale Tuesday, Oct. 22, and Universal Orlando will make single-day tickets available to annual pass holders on Thursday, Oct. 24. The park is expected to create 14,000 new tourism jobs when it opens.
• Walt Disney World is sharing a sneak peak at Bakso, a rare baby Sumatran tiger born at Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park recently. There are fewer than 600 Sumatran tigers worldwide in the wild and in managed care, Disney says. Disney expects Bakso to be ready to join the Maharajah Jungle Trek in the Asia section of Animal Kingdom — and be spotted by theme park guests — early next year.
• SeaWorld Orlando is introducing Coasters After Dark — Christmas Edition, a limited-capacity, after-hours event in a holiday setting. The park will feature seven of its roller coasters surrounded by Christmas lighting on six nights starting Nov. 8. Some retail, food and beverages will also be open, including Flamecraft Bar, South Pole Sips, Dockside Pizza, Glacier Bar and a hot-chocolate hut.
• Registration for City District Orlando’s second annual Field Day fundraiser will close on Monday, October 28th. The Field Day features four Field Games, with a grand finale of Tug-of-War played by the top two teams. 50 Teams made of 4-7 players rotate from field to field, participating in each of the four games.
• The Orlando Pottery Festival has announced the dates and times for its annual Holiday Market. The Market will feature a diverse group of Central Florida ceramic artists ranging from emerging artists to experienced potters, offering handmade pieces that appeal to every taste, and the festival will offer a concession stand, free admission, and free parking.
• Join the Central Florida Employment Connections for the 30th anniversary of Central Florida Job Fairs. Register to engage with over 85 companies to connect with potential employers in the area and create meaningful face-to-face interactions. The event will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 13 from 12:00-4:00pm at the Orlando Fairgrounds.
• Join the City of Orlando's celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month at the Hispanic Heritage Art Exhibit running from September 17 - November 3 at City Hall's Terrace Gallery. The exhibit, titled Pioneers of Change: Shaping The Future Together, features a variety of art pieces by local visual artists that showcase the richness of Latin American history, culture and heritage through visual arts. A Community Celebration Event with Latin food, music and live entertainment will be held on October 3, 2024.
• 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, Executive VP Jennifer Lastik and Associate VP Kyle Sturley pictured with Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and GO Sports Chairman Sharon Line Clary (AdventHealth) during filming for the 2024 SPORTYS Awards.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel, Senior VP Brent Nelson and Director Jordan Lyda attended the Leaders in Sports Summit in London, England earlier this month, pictured with Karissa Pendleton (Florida Sports Foundation), Joe Piotrowski (Florida Sports Foundation) and Simon Thomlinson (Leaders).

GO Sports Executive VP Jennifer Lastik, Associate VP Kyle Sturley and Coordinator Carter Gravitte pictured at the WKMG studio for the 2024 SPORTYS Awards taping.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel and Executive VP Jennifer Lastik pictured with Chair Elect Caesar Lopez (Orlando City SC/Orlando Pride) as the Orlando Pride won the NWSL Shield for the first time in club history.

GO Sports Executive VP Jennifer Lastik and board member Tom Draper (GOAA) pictured at Tom's retirement celebration.

GO Sports CFO Gary Cohen and his wife Jill Cohen attended Dr. Phillip's Charities' celebration of 150 years of Dr. Phillips' legacy.

Corporate Partner Spotlight.

GO Sports is proud to welcome our newest corporate partner, Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Lake Buena Vista! For more information, click the logo above.

Thank you for supporting sports tourism in Greater Orlando!

Fun & Games.

• What's Happening: Orange County Things To Do
• What's Happening: Seminole County Things To Do
• What's Happening: Osceola County Things To Do
• What's Happening: Lake County Things To Do