"Hosting the U.S. Men’s National Team and Brazil is a huge win for Orlando. The match will bring more visitors to our region, deliver a capacity crowd at Camping World Stadium and generate a massive local economic impact. We are proud that Orlando is a top sports destination in the U.S. and are excited to host another premier event this June."

- Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer

Around The Horn.

• Orlando will host the U.S. Men’s National Team in a friendly soccer match with Brazil at Camping World Stadium on June 12, according to an announcement during the NBA on TNT pregame show on Feb. 27. The game will be the second edition of the Allstate Continental Clásico, and comes in the run-up to the 2024 Copa America tournament, which will include both the Brazil and U.S. teams. Tickets for the match will go on sale to the general public tomorrow, Mar. 1 at 10am.
• The annual Arnold Palmer Invitational returns next week as over 70 of the PGA Tour's best will compete against each other at the famed Bay Hill Golf & Country Club. The tournament will take place from Thursday-Sunday and features an overall purse of $20 million, with $4 million of that going to the winner. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.
• The famous Monster Jam is back again this weekend as some of the world's most popular trucks compete right here in Orlando. The event is slated for 7pm this Saturday, Mar. 2, and will be held at Camping World Stadium. Fans can witness massive stunts, big-air, backflips, and head-to-head battles for the Event Championship. There is also a Monster Jam Pit Party being held before the event where spectators can get up close to the trucks, meet the drivers, and enjoy family-friendly activities. To purchase your ticket, click here.
• UCF Men's basketball returned to form last weekend as they upset No. 23 Texas Tech with a score of 75-61 at Addition Financial Arena. This win snapped the Knights' streak of four losses in a row which dated back to Feb. 10. It is the first time in program history that the men's team has defeated three ranked teams in one season.
• The Orlando Magic defeated the Brooklyn Nets Tuesday night despite the absence of All-Star forward Paolo Banchero. With a final score of 101-81, Brooklyn recorded their lowest point total of the season, and the third lowest in the NBA this year. The Magic will look to continue their dominant play as they host the Utah Jazz tonight, Feb. 29 at 7pm.
• A record six players from Central Florida will take part in this week's NFL Scouting Combine which runs from today, Feb. 29, through Sunday, Mar. 3. Ranging from different schools across the country, all of them will participate in the order associated with their position.
• The Orlando Pride unveiled two new kits yesterday in collaboration with Nike for their upcoming season. The first jersey, labeled the Phoenix Kit, features the team's purple and blue color scheme with "Eola Blue" numbers. The second is a revolutionary look known as the Citrus Kit which honors Florida's rich history in the industry and features an orange coloring.
• UCF has received a $5.5 million pledge for a new football operations building, and the UCF Board of Trustees has agreed upon naming the building the Taylor A. Gerring Football Center. Gerring, a 2005 UCF graduate, is giving the largest single cash pledge in athletic department history as part of the Mission XII fundraising initiative.
• The Orlando Solar Bears are hosting a Craft Beer Festival ahead of their game tomorrow, Mar. 1 against the Jacksonville Icemen. The festival is scheduled for 5:30-7:30pm, and features a large variety of local breweries serving sample sizes of beer. Ticket pricing for the event begins at $30 and includes both access to the Craft Beer Festival and the game slated for 8pm. For more information and to purchase your ticket, click here.
• The Orlando Valkyries host the Grand Rapids Rise tomorrow, Mar. 1 at Addition Financial Arena. The game is scheduled for 7pm and marks the first time in the season these teams will compete against each other. To purchase your ticket to the game, click here.
• Grab a mystery ticket to the Solar Bears game on Mar. 7 against the Jacksonville Icemen 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 even all-inclusive. There are only a limited number of tickets for this exclusive deal, so don't miss out! Get yours today!

Be a part of the magic of runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend. As a volunteer, you’d be supporting the runDisney® athletes and the presence of Make-A-Wish® Central & Northern Florida at Walt Disney World® Resort.

To register click HERE.

In The News.

• The 2024 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival is underway as Disney has a handful of new topiaries to debut for this year. The greenery-based figures are based on recent Disney films and features more than 70 different characters throughout the park. The 90-day festival will also have blooming gardens, outdoor kitchens, and a concert series, running now through May 27. Click here to view the gallery of new topiaries and characters.
• SeaWorld Orlando has a new attraction in their park to fill the space left behind by the closing of their Empire of the Penguin ride in March 2020. The new ride, Penguin Trek, will incorporate viewing of the penguin colony while on the coaster and is over two minutes long. 
• Frontier Airlines plans to add a new destination from Orlando. The Denver-based airline announced 17 new flights it will add in the U.S. in May, including one from St. Croix to Orlando International Airport on May 25. The Orlando flight — subject to government approval — would run once a week and have one-way fares starting at $69.
• HCA Healthcare Inc. has opened two more freestanding emergency rooms in Orlando this week, one located in St. Cloud and the other in Casselberry. The St. Cloud location will have 22 full-time health care staff members within their 11,000-square-foot facility, and the Casselberry one will have roughly 20 staff members in their 10,860-square-foot building. HCA currently has seven existing freestanding ERs in the Central Florida area.
• A long-vacant tower downtown could see new life if the City of Orlando's community redevelopment agency buys the property. The 10-story, 46,730-square-foot building at 1 N. Orange Ave. is among four properties the CRA has proposed purchasing. One North Orange LLC currently owns the building, and the proposed sales price is $9.59 million. City spokeswoman Ashley Papagni previously told Orlando Business Journal the property's possible uses include a two-story restaurant space on the ground level as well as attainable housing.
• Orlando Health has began construction on a $160 million Orlando Health's Children's Pavilion located next to its downtown children's hospital near Lake Beauty. The new 189,000-square-foot, six story medical office building will be geared towards children's services and be able to provide space for patient support services like music and art therapy, access to the hospital's teacher for patients, visits from companion dogs, and more. Specialties within the facility will include neuroscience, pediatric cardiology, and orthopedics.

Stay Engaged.

• The Horizon West Fest is taking place this weekend Saturday, Mar. 2 from 11am-5pm located next to the Cinepolis movie theater entrance. There will be food, beverage, carnival rides, a Kid's Zone, live music from 12-4pm, and several different vendors participating this year. General admission tickets are $5 for all-day access, and tickets for the Kid's Zone are $10. For more information, click here.
• The Rotary Club of Winter Park is presenting a St. Patrick's Day Parade this Saturday, Mar. 2. The parade is scheduled to start at 9am, and will begin at Swoope Avenue then proceed south down Park Avenue to Lyman Avenue. The event is free of cost and should last until 10:30am, click here for more details.
• Legoland Florida is now in possession of their bright red Ferrari 296 GTS made almost entirely of Lego bricks. The car will be featured in the theme park's new Ferrari Build & Race attraction which opens to the public on March 8. Unlike with most Lego models, park guests will be able to sit inside of the Lego Ferrari for photo ops and will be parked in the attraction's garage setting, which leads to creative activities.
• Universal Studios Orlando has begun their famous Mardi Gras festivities and they will run nightly until its conclusion on April 7. The parade will take place throughout the Universal Studios park, and visitors can try to collect beads from the various different decorated floats. Mardi Gras activities are included with your Universal admission, and select food and beverage are available for purchase.
• Moulin Rouge! The Musical has several shows this weekend at the Walt Disney Theater inside of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Moulin Rouge! The Musical is truly a historic piece having won 10 Tony Awards, including one for Best Musical. There are both matinees and evening showings on Saturday and Sunday, ranging anywhere from 1pm to 8pm. To view the full list of show times and purchase tickets, click here.
• 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 Executive VP Jennifer Lastik attended the Orlando Business Journal "Mentor Monday," pictured with executive board member Latria Graham (GLB Media Group), Sari Kitelyn (Full Sail), Kay Rawlins (Orlando City Soccer & Orlando Pride), and advisory board member Anne-Marie Hayward (Orlando Business Journal).

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel attended the Winter Park Fashion Week event along with GO Sports Chairman on the Board, Sharon Line Clary (AdventHealth).

GO Sports President and CEO Jason Siegel joined by Danny Trosset (Seminole County), Chair Elect Caesar Lopez (Orlando City Soccer and Orlando Pride), and Gui Cunha (Seminole County) at the Annual State of Seminole County Luncheon.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel and his wife Sarah, Senior VP Michael Kalinich, and Associate VPs Kyle Sturley, Lindsey McBride, and Chase DeMayo attended the Orlando City Soccer and Orlando Pride Kick Off Luncheon.

Corporate Partner Spotlight.

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Thank you for supporting sports tourism in Greater Orlando!

Fun & Games.

• Peanut Butter Lover's Day in Orlando
• Central Florida Art Listings: March 1-7