"I feel accountable for putting guys in situations to be called up because you’ve got to win most of the time to get called up...I definitely feel that pressure and us getting this new reset, I’m motivated for that."

-Mac McClung

Osceola Magic Point Guard

Around The Horn.

• The NBA G League Winter Showcase tips off today at the Hyatt Regency Orlando and Orange County Convention Center! New this year, "Winter Showcase Fan Day" invites guests to attend all eight games on Saturday, Dec. 21, including the Osceola Magic taking on Bronny James and the South Bay Lakers at 12:00pm. The event will also host a variety of family-friendly activities at the Convention Center, including interactive photo opportunities and chances for fans of all skill levels to practice their basketball skills and drills.
• The PNC Championship returns to Ritz-Carlton Golf Club this weekend, providing guests with the unique chance to see 20 Major Champions team up with a member of their family. The tournament is played in a scramble format, with the Pro-Am being held Thursday and Friday, Dec. 19-20, and the Championship rounds occurring on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 21-22.
• After finishing the regular season third in the nation in rushing yards, UCF running back RJ Harvey has been tabbed an Associated Press (AP) All-American. Harvey led the Big 12 Conference and finished the regular season with 1,577 rushing yards. His 22 rushing touchdowns tied for the third most in the country and best among conference running backs.
• The Orlando Magic are set to host the Oklahoma City Thunder at 7:00pm tonight, Dec. 19 in the Kia Center. The Magic (17-11) are coming off their first home loss of the season after falling to the Knicks on Sunday, Dec. 15 and will look to rebound with a strong performance tonight.
• The U.S. Men’s National Team announced they will complete a two-match Florida swing with a friendly against Costa Rica on Jan. 22 at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando! The team will open its 2025 schedule against 2024 Copa America quarterfinalists Venezuela on Jan. 18, and both matches will be broadcast live on TNT, Telemundo, Universo, Max and Peacock.
• UCF Basketball continues its strong start to the season following a 88-75 victory over Tulsa in the Orange Bowl Basketball Classic. The Knights (8-2) have now won four straight games with one nonconference matchup remaining before starting Big 12 play on Dec. 31. UCF will look to keep the ball rolling as they host Jacksonville this Saturday, Dec. 21 at 6:00pm.
• The Orlando Solar Bears have announced the team’s first Bears After Dark presented by Just Call Moe Injury and Accident Attorneys, beginning with a pregame party at Ivanhoe Park Lager House starting at 5:00pm when the Solar Bears host the Florida Everblades on Saturday, Jan. 4 at 7pm.
• The Orlando Valkyries kicked off its second season with training camp at the Dr. Phillips YMCA Family Center in Orlando, the club's new official practice facility partner. The team entered camp with a total of 20 players, all of whom are fighting for a spot on the active roster. The final active roster will consist of 14 players, with two players selected for the practice squad.

Tickets are now on sale for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group stage matches coming to Orlando next summer! Both Inter&Co Stadium and Camping World Stadium will host two group stage matches, beginning on June 17 with the last match on June 26. Don't miss this incredible opportunity to see soccer's biggest stars right here in town, click the link below to purchase tickets today!

In The News.

• Nemours Children's Hospital has announced its plans to add three new buildings to its hospital campus in Lake Nona, a $300 million expansion that is expected to be completed over the next few years. The plan includes a 110,000-square-foot expansion of the pediatric hospital by 2028, which will double the size of the Emergency Department. It will also add inpatient beds and observation rooms and increase space for the imaging department.
• The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority Board unanimously approved a $13 million project to install parking guidance system technology throughout MCO’s parking garages using a marquis sign to share where there are available parking spaces on each level of the garages. In addition to the parking fixes, Orlando International Airport will also be adding more than 40 new restaurants and retail stores to its collection.
• Florida remains the premier travel destination in the country and in the world following Governor Ron DeSantis' announcement of Florida's record-breaking visitation numbers in 2023. Tourists to Florida were found to have spent a record $131 billion in the state—an increase of 5% over 2022—in addition to $36.9 billion in local, state, and federal tax revenue.
• Visit Orlando announced a record-breaking donation of $352,218 to Orange County charities, raised through this year's Magical Dining program. This marks a 30% increase over 2023 and surpasses the program’s previous record set in 2020. Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining has raised over $2.9 million for local charities since launching the charity fundraising component in 2009.
• The Downtown Arts District celebrated the grand opening of the FORDify the Arts Courtyard, a new outdoor venue located at the historic Rogers Kiene building. The courtyard honors the legacy of Church Street Station by repurposing materials from the former Church Street Ballroom. The space, once an alleyway, is now a vibrant space featuring murals, seating and historic architectural elements.
• United Arts of Central Florida approved the recommendation to award $2.45 million in operating support funds to 62 nonprofit cultural organizations across Central Florida. These unrestricted funds help sustain the region’s arts, history, and science organizations, supporting their ability to innovate, provide educational opportunities, and create cultural experiences for residents and visitors alike.
• 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 2024 StaffDNA Cure Bowl returns to Orlando and will feature CUSA Champion Jacksonville State Gamecocks and Mid-American Conference Champion Ohio Bobcats at Camping World Stadium! Kickoff is set for Noon ET on Friday, Dec. 20, and will air live on ESPN. The StaffDNA Cure Bowl is celebrating its 10th anniversary by matching two conference champions for the second time in the game's history.

America's favorite bowl game returns to Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 28 when No. 13 Miami Hurricanes will face No. 18 Iowa State Cyclones for the first time in each program's history! Kickoff is slated for 3:30pm ET at Camping World Stadium, and will air live on ABC. The 2024 Pop-Tarts Bowl will be the 35th edition of the game, which has been held at Camping World Stadium since 2001 after 11 years in South Florida.

No. 15 South Carolina Gamecocks and No. 20 Illinois Fighting Illini will square off at Camping World Stadium on Tuesday, Dec. 31 in the 2024 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl! Kickoff is set for 3:00pm ET, and will air live on ABC. This season's Cheez-It Citrus Bowl will be the 79th edition of the game, an annual matchup of top SEC and Big Ten teams since 1993.

Stay Engaged.

• Celebrate holidays around the world at Walt Disney World's Epcot International Festival for the Holidays and enjoy festive sights, sounds and flavors throughout the theme park. The event is recurring daily until Dec. 30, and is included with park admission.
• Universal Orlando's Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s continues at its Universal Studios theme park. A collection of floats tied to films such as “Shrek,” “Madagascar” and the “Despicable Me” franchise are a distinguishing part of the parade. The parade begins daily at 5:30pm through Dec. 31, and is included with general park admission.
• Aquatica, SeaWorld's water park, continues its Beach Night promotion with one show left this holiday season, Elf. The attraction shows family-friendly movies on Saturdays as visitors watch from the beach at the end of a water park day. The films will be included with regular Aquatica admission, and popcorn, hot chocolate and other goodies will be available for purchase.
• The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has announced a new, limited-time, daylong VIP tour that will be available from Dec. 19 to Jan. 5. The package includes personal guides for small groups with multiple tour stops including the Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit, Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex and the Rocket Garden. Participants also get priority access for the Shuttle Launch Experience and Spaceport KSC rides.
• The Downtown Orlando Partnership has announced enrollment is now open for ConnectDTO, its program aimed to transform engaged urban leaders into community champions through in-depth experiences with a close network of new personal and professional relationships built to last. Sessions take place on the fourth Tuesday of each month from 1:00 - 5:00pm, and registration will close at 5:00pm on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025.
• The Holidays at Leu Gardens are recurring daily until Jan. 5, 2025, and is included with a general admission purchase. Step into a vibrant tapestry of color and cheer at the Gardens this holiday season, with enchanting displays of live plants. Thousands of dazzling poinsettias along with seasonal flowers will ignite the spirit of the season as you meander through the 50 acres of curated vignettes and container gardens.
• Holiday magic awaits the whole family at the seventh annual "Oh, What Fun!" Holiday Festival at Lake Nona Town Center on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Dec. 6-22. Watch as the town center transforms into a winter wonderland with a calendar full of celebrations and events.
• 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 Don Quijote Awards at Epcot's World Showplace Pavilion, pictured with Danielle Hollander (Visit Orlando) and Vicki Jaramillo (GOAA).

CFHLA President & CEO Robert Agrusa, CFHLA 2024 Board Chair Barb Bowden, and GO Sports board member Chris Mueller (Hilton Orlando) presented the Charles Andrews Memorial Hospitality Award to Mark Woodbury (Universal) at the 2024 CFHLA Hospitality Gala.

GO Sports Senior VP Brent Nelson and Director Jordan Lyda attended the US Paralympics Swimming National Championships at the Rosen Aquatic + Fitness Center.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel, Senior VP Brent Nelson and Director Jordan Lyda attended the 2024 CFHLA Hospitality Gala at the Loews Sapphire Falls Resort.

GO Sports Executive VP Jennifer Lastik attended the Don Quijote Awards at Epcot's World Showcase Pavilion, pictured with Danielle Hollander (Visit Orlando), Dawn Ofodile (VyStar Credit Union), and board members Melanie DiVirgilio (Seacoast Bank) and Dan Pollock (AT&T).

GO Sports Senior VP Brent Nelson and Director Jordan Lyda attended opening day of the NBA G League Winter Showcase at the Orange County Convention Center.

GO Sports Senior VP Brent Nelson attended the CFHLA Hospitality Gala at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, pictured with board member Cindy Staley (Mission Resort + Club).

GO Sports Associate VP and Chairman of the Downtown Arts District, Kyle Sturley, attended the grand opening of the FORDify the Arts Courtyard at CityArts Gallery, pictured with fellow board members Danny Betancourt (Brightline) and Flynn Dobbs (City of Orlando).

Corporate Partner Spotlight.

GO Sports is proud to welcome our newest corporate partners, Empire Coach Line and Portillo's! For more information, click the logos 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