“We are thrilled to once again host another marquee event that puts our community on the national stage. The US Olympic Team Trials – Marathon not only showcases our status as the country’s top sports destination, but also creates an exciting opportunity to bring our residents together to cheer on our nation and support our top US athletes. Next month, we look forward to welcoming all the athletes, their families and friends, all the spectators and for the opportunity to highlight Orlando’s vibrant, inclusive and diverse community.”

- Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer

Around The Horn.

• The City of Orlando, in collaboration with Orange County, Track Shack Events, the Greater Orlando Sports Commission, Visit Orlando, USA Track & Field and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee, will host America’s best male and female runners for the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Marathon on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at 10am EST. The course runs through downtown Orlando and its surrounding neighborhoods and consists of one 2.2-mile loop and three 8-mile loops. Today, City officials and leaders from the Local Organizing Committee provided a number of updates related to the impact the race will have on the downtown area.  
• One of the Big 12's newest members celebrated its first-ever conference home game a with a huge upset as UCF knocked off No. 3 Kansas 65-60 on Wednesday. The Jayhawks became the third top-three team to fall victim to a massive upset this week. 
• Orlando City made another key free agent signing coming to terms with Uruguayan midfielder Nico Lodeiro, who had previously played for the Seattle Sounders in the MLS. During his last eight seasons, Lodeiro has won the MLS Cup twice and the Champions' League title once. Lodeiro is also the fifth player in league history to record six or more seasons with at least 10 assists.
• The Orlando Magic announced they will retire Shaquille O'Neal's #32 jersey this year in celebration of their 35th anniversary as a franchise. O'Neal will become the first player in franchise history to have his jersey retired, and the ceremony will take place on Feb. 13 following the Magic's home game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. After being selected with the first overall pick by Orlando, O'Neal was named an NBA All-Star four times (1992-96), named to the All-NBA Second Team once ('94-95), and All-NBA Third Team twice ('93-94, '95-96). He also won the NBA Rookie of the Year award in 1992-93 and was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016.
• The Orlando Solar Bears have announced their official GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title attempt for the largest gathering of people wearing aloha shirts. The attempt will take place on Feb. 24 when the Solar Bears host the Atlanta Gladiators at the AdventHealth Rink at Kia Center. Puck drop is scheduled for 7pm. Purchase tickets for the event here.
• The 2024 Caribe Royale Orlando Hula Bowl is the nation's premier college football All-Star game. 100 of the top senior athletes will be selected to play in the Hula Bowl and will perform in front of top scouts from the NFL, XFL, USFL, and CFL teams. The game will be hosted at the UCF FBC Mortgage Stadium and will feature athletes from the U.S., Australia, Canada, and Japan.
• A pair of Central Florida teens won the MLF Abu Garcia High School Fishing Tournament on the Harris Chain of Lakes. Dylan Quilatan of Windermere, FL, and Tommy Rust of Winter Springs, FL, brought in five bass this past Sunday for a combined weight of 29 lbs. A field of 38 teams competed in this tournament, with the top 10 percent of teams advancing to the High School Fishing National Championship. 
• The Orlando Valkyries are hosting a "Select your Seat" open-house event to kick off the start of their inaugural season. The event will take place on Jan. 20 from 11am-3pm at the UCF Addition Financial Arena. Fans will be able to meet the team, watch an open practice, get a first-hand look at the new volleyball floor, and of course choose their season or game-day seats to kick off the new season.
• The college football playoffs came to an end Monday night as the Michigan Wolverines defeated the Washington Huskies 34-14. For Michigan, this marks their first National Championship since 1997, and they did so by utilizing a strong run-game and lockdown defense.
• The NFL regular season has come to a close with numerous teams claiming a spot in the playoffs as late as Week 18. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers clinched the NFC South division with a 9-0 victory over the Carolina Panthers, while the Pittsburgh Steelers secured their playoff spot with a Jacksonville Jaguars loss to the Tennessee Titans.

Be a part of the magic of Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend presented by CORKCICLE.^®! As a volunteer, you’d be supporting the runDisney® athletes and the presence of Starlight™ Children’s Foundation at Walt Disney World® Resort.

To register click HERE. 

In The News.

• Orlando's MCO Airport is offering a visitor-pass program so that non-ticketed guests can catch a glimpse of what the different terminals have to offer. Specifically in Terminal C, guests can come through security and experience many different local food and beverage options without the need of a boarding pass!
• Florida kids aged 5 and younger can visit Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex for all of 2024 for free through the attraction’s Junior Space Explorer Pass. The attraction also features Space Shuttle Atlantis, astronaut training simulators, bus tours, outer space relics, Rocket Garden, IMAX films, Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex attraction and more.
• A recently released arts-impact report shows the strong influence the local cultural sector has on the Central Florida economy. The report indicates the cultural sector supports nearly 5,000 jobs, and an estimated 2,795,352 in-person cultural experiences took place in the previous fiscal year, with 41.5% of attendees being outside of the Orange County area.
• A “Shark Tank”-style event is headed to the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday, February 1 from 7:30 a.m.-9 a.m. The Storytelling Showcase is an annual event that’s hosted by the Victory Cup Initiative, a Winter Park-based organization led by Ashley Vann that promotes the work of nonprofits in Central Florida.
• A new bill filed in the Florida Legislature would designate Orlando International Airport as the test site for advanced air mobility technology such as air taxis in the Sunshine State — a move that could lead to new jobs, business opportunities and government investment.
• The Orlando Science Center has received a $225,000 grant from LEGO Group’s LEGO Playful Learning Museum Network program. This is the third grant that OSC has received from LEGO’s playful learning museum network, and OSC is one of the 16 museums in the LEGO Playful Learning Museum Network.

Stay Engaged.

• The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is coming to town this weekend from Jan. 12 - Jan. 15 and will be held within the Kia Center. You can witness never-before-seen acts of trapeze, bicycle, high-wire and much more in this immersive experience.
• Epcot's 2024 Festival of the Arts is set to begin Jan. 12 and will continue daily for over a month until its conclusion on Feb. 19. Throughout the festival there will be three daily shows put on by some of Broadway's brightest stars as they sing popular songs from your favorite Disney movies. In addition to the performances, Epcot will have delectable cuisine, interactive chalk art, and related merchandise available to ensure your experience is magical!
• Keep Orlando Beautiful’s annual fundraiser and fashion show, Trash 2 Trends, is set to return on Wednesday, April 17, at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. The event features a runway of unique, up-cycled designs made from recycled and discarded materials, created by local artists and makers. Designers have until Wednesday, January 17 to submit applications to participate in this year’s fashion show, which will feature 30-35 top designs, based on the uniqueness of the idea and materials used.
• The Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando will once again host its annual pet festival and parade Paws in the Park event in Lake Eola Park on Saturday, February 10 from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
• Florida kids aged 5 and younger can visit Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex for all of 2024 for free through the attraction’s Junior Space Explorer Pass. The attraction also features Space Shuttle Atlantis, astronaut training simulators, bus tours, outer space relics, Rocket Garden, IMAX films, Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex attraction and more.
• Everyone is invited to the Grand Opening Reception of Experience Contemporary, the inaugural exhibition at the new Casselberry Arts Center on Jan. 12 from 6-8pm. The exhibit will feature exciting contemporary artwork from many renowned artists, and guests will be able to meet the artists while enjoying complimentary food and beverage.
• The Miss America and Miss America Teen Finals will be hosted at the Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center on Jan. 14 at 7 p.m. There will be 51 extraordinary state delegates, each from their respected division, who will answer thought-provoking questions, showcase their talents, and advocate for causes close to their hearts.
• SeaWorld Orlando is again offering their Fun Card pass for unlimited entry into their park until December 31, 2024, for $134.99. SeaWorld also has additional options that include entry into the Aquatica waterpark, and a silver or gold pass that comes with free parking, two free guest tickets, and no blackout dates.
• 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.

Members of the GO Sports team enjoyed the company of board members and corporate partners as they watched the UCF men's basketball team take down #3 Kansas this week, marking the first Big-12 Conference win in UCF history. Go Knights!

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel attended the City of Orlando's Oath of Office Ceremony this week, pictured with GO Sports board member Craig Borkon (Orlando Venues) and Scott Lloyd (Lloyd Commercial Advisors).

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel, along with Advisory Board members John Mahony (Kavaliro) and Mike Harris (Uproar PR), took a photo with Head Coach Johnny Dawkins after UCF's big win over Kansas.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel visited with Orange County Sports Incentive Committee member Jay Leonard (Wyndham Lake Buena Vista) at Walt Disney World.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel caught up with GO Sports board member Craig Borkon (Orlando Venues) and Jim Young (City of Orlando) at today's U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Marathon press conference hosted at Orlando's City Hall.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel attended ECNL's women's soccer tournament and visited with Seminole County Commissioner Bob Dallari and Jordan Lyda (Seminole County Government).

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel and Jon Hughes (Track Shack) were interviewed by WESH's Michelle Imperato this week, talking about all of the preparations happening around the City of Orlando for the upcoming 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Marathon.

GO Sports CFO Gary Cohen attended the UCF-Kansas game, pictured here with GO Sports board members Charles Hawkins, Mike Harris (Uproar PR) and Chris Mueller (Hilton Orlando).

Corporate Partner Spotlight.

For more information, visit MasseyServices.com.

Thank you for supporting sports tourism in Greater Orlando!

Fun & Games.

• What’s New for Florida Cruises in 2024
• New Kennedy Space Center "Under the Stars" After-Hours Event
• Disney Theme Park Wintertime 2-day Ticket Deal for Florida Residents