"As a globally recognized city that attracts visitors from around the world, this pivotal agreement ensures that Camping World Stadium and Kia Center will maintain their state-of-the-art appeal, while driving economic growth and leaving a lasting-positive impact on residents, businesses and visitors alike."

-Mayor Buddy Dyer

City of Orlando

Around The Horn.

• Orange County Commissioners unanimously approved an agreement with the City of Orlando that will provide funding to update and enhance both Camping World Stadium and Kia Center. Funding for the $626 million project is generated by future tourist tax revenues through a 6% surcharge on hotel rooms and short-term lodging in Orange County. $400 million of the funding will be allocated for the stadium, and the arena will receive $226 million over the next 10 years.
• Orlando Pride Head Coach Seb Hines has been named NWSL Coach of the Year following the team's historic regular season! Hines, who took over in June 2022 as the Pride’s interim head coach, helped lead the team to its first playoff appearance since 2017. The Pride will now face the Washington Spirit for the NWSL Championship this Saturday, Nov. 23 at 8:00pm.
• Orlando City SC will host rival Atlanta United FC in the MLS Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Semifinals at 3:30pm this Sunday, Nov. 24 at Inter&Co Stadium. The Lions have moved on to the Conference Semifinals for the second consecutive season and will now look to capture the club's first trip to the championship.
• The WBCA State Farm Showcase begins today, Nov. 21 and will continue on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 23-24 at the State Farm Field House at ESPN Wide World of Sports. Don't miss your chance to witness the top women's collegiate basketball programs battle it out in the inaugural showcase.
• Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner was named NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week for Week 4 after he averaged 30.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 2.0 steals and led the squad to a 3-0 record. The Magic (9-6) will host the Detroit Pistons for its next home game at Kia Center this Saturday, Nov. 23 at 7:00pm.
• UCF Basketball remains undefeated following the team's 80-69 home victory on Tuesday night against Tennessee Tech. The Knights (4-0) improved to 4-0 for the first time since the 2021-22 season, and will look to keep the streak alive as they face No. 19 Wisconsin in the Greenbriar Tip-Off this Friday, Nov. 22 at 5:00pm.
• Local high schools Montverde Academy and Lake Nona High School won the FHSAA Golf State Championships for Girls' 1A and 3A divisions, respectively. Montverde, led by Grace Xu, finished with a total of 567, 10 strokes better than second-place Circle Christian Academy. Lake Nona, led by individual medalist Alexandra Snyder, posted a two-day score of 600, 10 strokes better than Lake Mary.
• Major League Pickleball is coming to the USTA National Campus for their season finale, Vulcan MLP Playoffs Orlando, this weekend Nov. 22-24. After an eight event regular season and the playoff Quarterfinals in Dallas, the year-long champions at both the Premier and Challenger levels will be decided in Orlando.
• The Florida Blue Florida Classic returns to Orlando this Saturday, Nov. 23 for the nation's largest football game between two HBCU schools. The rivalry game between FAMU and Bethune-Cookman will be played at Camping World Stadium, and kickoff is scheduled for 3:30pm.
• The NFL announced that tickets are now available for the 2025 Pro Bowl Games presented by Verizon, giving fans a front-row seat to see the NFL’s biggest stars compete at Orlando’s Camping World Stadium on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. Tickets start at $29 and can be purchased at ProBowl.com.
• The USMNT established its training camp in Orlando once again as the team prepared for crucial CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal matches against Jamaica at Osceola Heritage Park. Led by new head coach Mauricio Pochettino, the squad defeated Jamaica 4-2 on Monday night and will now advance to the Finals tournament taking place on Mar. 20, 2025.
• UCF Football will look to bounce back from its loss to Arizona State before the bye week as the team now travels to West Virginia to take on the Mountaineers this Saturday, Nov. 23 at 3:30pm. The Knights (4-6, 2-5 Big 12) will need to win the remainder of their games to qualify for the postseason for the ninth consecutive season.
• The Orlando Solar Bears announced the team has completed a trade with the Allen Americans earlier this week, acquiring future considerations for forward Ryan Mahshie. The Solar Bears (5-8-1-0) will begin its 3-game away series against the Toledo Walleye this Friday, Nov. 22.
• The Osceola Magic will look to bounce back from its loss to Memphis earlier this week as the team continues its road trip with another matchup against Memphis this Friday, Nov. 22. The Magic (1-4) will return to Osceola Heritage Park on Sunday, Dec. 8 to begin a four game home stand.
• 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.

Orlando City SC will host Atlanta United FC at 3:30pm this Sunday, Nov. 24 at Inter&Co Stadium for the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The Lions advanced to the Semifinals for the second straight season, and will now face rival Atlanta in the postseason for the first time in Club history.

Cheer on your hometown Orlando Pride as they are set to face the Washington Spirit in the 2024 NWSL Championship Game this Saturday, Nov. 23 at 8:00pm. The official Championship Watch Party presented by Heineken will begin at 7:00pm one hour before kickoff at Sports & Social located on International Drive.

The 2024 NBA G League Winter Showcase returns to Orlando from December 19-22 at the Hyatt Regency Orlando and Orange County Convention Center!

New this year, the NBA G League will host “Winter Showcase Fan Day” on Saturday, December 21, inviting fans to attend the day’s games and enjoy family-friendly activities like interactive photo opportunities and chances to practice your basketball skills and drills. Tickets are selling fast, click the link below to secure yours today!

In The News.

• The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced that Florida will receive $1.1 billion to deploy affordable, reliable high-speed Internet service. The funding will be used to deploy or upgrade broadband networks to ensure that everyone has access to reliable, affordable, high-speed Internet service. Currently, 272,962 homes and small businesses in Florida lack access to a high-speed Internet connection.
• Orlando was named a winner in the Good Housekeeping 2025 Family Travel Awards. Experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute, a leading consumer testing facility, spent eight months reviewing hundreds of travel products, services and experiences to identify the best family-friendly options. For Orlando they said, “There’s always something new in Orlando, the theme park hotspot that is gaining accolades for its cultural and dining scene.”
• The Orange County Mayor's Holiday Toy Drive is celebrating 14 years of giving back to the Central Florida community! Donate new, unwrapped toys or gifts for kids aged 18 and under at participating locations across Orange County, or contribute online by purchasing a gift through the virtual toy store.
• The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority has launched a brand-new logo, completely rebuilt website and new innovative app, all significant steps in enhancing digital services and optimizing efficiency for passengers. The new website and app are designed to modernize the Aviation Authority’s digital presence and align with the rebranding, with the website promising to deliver a faster, more secure, and user-friendly experience for all airport visitors. 
• Frontier Airlines and Allegiant Airlines both will add flights in the Orlando region next year, according to Orlando Business Journal. Frontier will add four new flights to Orlando International Airport, while Allegiant will add a new flight at Orlando Sanford International Airport. Allegiant will start service from Columbia Metropolitan Airport in South Carolina on May 15, 2025, and Frontier will add flights to Los Angeles and Austin, Texas, on March 6 and to Nashville and Oklahoma City on March 7.

Georgia, Marshall, Penn State and Tulsa will compete in the inaugural WBCA State Farm 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 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.

• Wicked: The Experience is up and running at Universal Studios theme park. The “Wicked” film arrives in theaters this Friday, Nov. 22 and Wicked: The Experience certainly is a cross-promotional effort between Universal Parks and Universal Pictures. The space features “fanciful costumes and prop replicas created by the designers from the film,” according to the park’s news release.
• Walt Disney World has released information regarding two of its Christmas-themed events, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom and Disney Jollywood Nights at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Both events are extra-ticket, after-hours events that mix the usual daytime attractions with themed activities, shows and menus.
• SeaWorld Orlando has confirmed that it is working with Mack Rides on a flying theater ride that would debut at the park next spring. The attraction, announced in September, is replacing the former Wild Arctic simulator, and will be the first "Airific" theater in the western hemisphere.
• Jingle Eve returns to Orlando's Ivanhoe Park neighborhood this Saturday, Nov. 23 from 4:30pm - 9:30pm, with fireworks over Lake Ivanhoe beginning at 9:00pm. Shoppers can support small businesses as well as enjoy the "12 Wines of Christmas," a 20-stop wine tasting put on by Tim's Wine Market.
• Fusion Fest's 7th annual Multicultural Festival returns to downtown Orlando on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 at the Seneff Arts Plaza at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. The two-day festival offers a multitude of family-friendly activities, and admission is free as long as you pre-register.
• 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, Senior VP Michael Kalinich and Associate VP Chase DeMayo attended the I-Drive Chamber Annual Tourism Meeting, pictured with Jo Mirza (AAU).

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel and Director Jordan Lyda attended the WBCA Welcome Reception ahead of the inaugural WBCA State Farm Showcase, pictured with Jorge Senior (Walt Disney World), Richard Ensor (Boardwalk Sports), Danielle Donehew (WBCA) and Adam Ball (ESPN Wide World of Sports).

GO Sports Executive VP Jennifer Lastik attended the Orlando Pride Semifinals match at Inter&Co Stadium, pictured with board member Melanie DiVirgilio (Seacoast Bank), Casandra Matej (Visit Orlando), Jarrod Dillon (Orlando City SC/Orlando Pride) and Kay Rawlins (Orlando City SC/Orlando Pride).

GO Sports CFO Gary Cohen and his wife Jill Cohen (The Lifeboat Project) attended the Shephard's Hope Gala at Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel.

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