"There is a massive appetite for soccer here. Our MLS club, Orlando City, and NWSL club, Orlando Pride, maintain loyal followings of passionate fans...As we look ahead to the future and multiple opportunities to partner with FIFA, including the 2025 Club World Cup, Women's World Cup, and base camp opportunities for the 2026 World Cup, as well as partnering with the USOPC on Olympic soccer prior to the LA28 Summer Olympics, we could not be more excited to collaborate with our tourism and venue partners and sports stakeholders to bring world class events to Orlando."

- Jason Siegel

President and CEO, GO Sports

Around The Horn.

• GO Sports President and CEO Jason Siegel sat down for an interview with Insider Sport about Orlando's potential for becoming a U.S. sports hub. The interview also discussed the impact of hosting the US Olympic Team Trials - Marathon, and the various different opportunities and advantages that Orlando has to offer as a premier destination for hosting sporting events.
• The annual Arnold Palmer Invitational began today 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 continue through 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 Orlando Magic defeated the Washington Wizards last night to secure their fifth win in a row and move to a record of (37-26). Despite being down 21 points in the second quarter and missing some of their key rotational players, the Magic fought their way back to win 119-109. They now sit in the fourth seed of the Eastern Conference and will look to continue their win streak against the Knicks tomorrow night.
• The Orlando Pride have agreed to a new deal with defender Kerry Abello just weeks before the 2024 season, and the deal with keep her with the club through 2026. Abello was drafted by the Pride with the 24th overall pick in the 2021 draft, and has appeared in 49 matches across all competitions. The Pride will host their first game against Angel City FC on March 22 at Inter&Co Stadium.
• Orlando City Soccer returned to Concacaf Champions Cup play with a scoreless draw at home against Tigres UANL in the Round of 16 late Tuesday night. The clubs have played three consecutive draws in Concacaf competition, neither separating from the other. The result means Orlando City has everything to play for in the return fixture next week in Mexico.
• Join the Orlando Solar Bears tonight as they host the Jacksonville Icemen for their Women in Hockey Night presented by Teleties - Thirsty Thursday. Puck drop is scheduled for 7pm at the AdventHealth Rink inside of the Kia Center.
• Central Florida high school Lake Highland Prep secured their fifth consecutive women's basketball state championship last weekend. The Highlanders defeated Bishop Kenny with a score of 58-44 in the Class 4A Final, and now have eight state championships in program history.
• Three Cincinnati football players have transferred to UCF for the upcoming 2024 football season. Deshawn Pace, Myles Montgomery, and Bryon Threats are the newest transfers among 12 others who have joined the Knights this offseason. Coach Gus Malzahn expressed his excitement for them to join the team and the impact they will provide on the field.
• The Orlando Valkyries host the first-place Omaha Supernovas on Saturday, Mar. 9 at Addition Financial Arena. The game is scheduled for 7pm and marks the third time in the season these teams will compete against each other. To purchase your ticket to the game, click here.

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.

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In The News.

• A current raffle operated by alltroo.com has a Walt Disney World vacation listed as the grand prize with proceeds benefitting the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation. The winner will receive a luxury package featuring an overnight stay at Cinderella's Castle, a two-night stay at a Disney World deluxe resort for up to four guests, three days worth of theme park tickets, a seven-hour private VIP tour, and round-trip flights for four people to Central Florida. There are multiple different entries that can be made, ranging from 40 entries for $10 up to 8,000 entries for $500.
• Orlando received national attention during a travel segment for The Drew Barrymore Show as the famous actress and TV show host highlighted some local favorites on her show. They first discussed the beauty and allure of downtown's Lake Eola before sampling some sushi and ribs from Kabooki Sushi. Shortly after, Gatorland's Savannah Boan came on stage with a baby alligator to showcase.
• The FAIRWINDS Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization, announced the recipients of its 2024 grants at a breakfast event earlier this week. Through its grants, the foundation supports Central Florida's most economically vulnerable populations. You can find the full list of grant winners on their website.
• Universal Orlando has revealed more details about the DreamWorks Land set to open at Universal Studios theme park sometime this summer. The new attraction is being built in place of what was formerly known as KidZone, and will feature different character interactions, playgrounds, themed foods, and retail outlets. The three main elements of the area will be a Trolls rollercoaster ride, Po's Kung Fu Training Camp, and Shrek's Swamp Meet.
• Orlando earned a nod as one of the best cities in Southern Living magazine's 2024 South's Best Awards. Along with our great city, a local restaurant named Norman's Orlando was recognized as Florida's best new restaurant, joining 14 other restaurants from various different southern states. Norman's is owned and operated by famous chef Norman Van Aken, and is a fine-dining seafood restaurant located in the Dr. Phillip's neighborhood.
• A popular stage show at Universal's Halloween Horror Nights event was awarded an IAAPA Brass Ring Award during a ceremony in Las Vegas last Sunday. "Nightmare Fuel Wildfire" was named the winner in the category of most creative Halloween production. The show features music, dance, fire acts, aerial stunts and illusions centered on the dark realm of sleep. According to IAAPA, it was the highest-rated show in Halloween Horror Nights history.
• Seminole Science Charter School has located a vacant site for a new school in Lake Mary. The public STEM charter school wants to open an 81,000-square-foot, two-story school for grades 6-8 and would allow them to add over 600 students in their first year operating, and up to 1,100 at full capacity. Charter schools are independent non-profits able to operate as tuition-free public schools to which parents can choose to send their children.

Stay Engaged.

• Popular landmark musical The Color Purple is being played throughout the weekend at the Dr. Phillip's Center for the Performing Arts, starting tomorrow. The musical is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker, and has been nominated for over 10 different Tony Awards. There are both matinee and evening showings on Saturday and Sunday, but only an 8pm showing tomorrow night, March 8. Click here to purchase your tickets.
• The 27th annual plant sale at Leu Gardens is this weekend with dozens of vendors selling everything from bamboo to carnivorous plants. There will also be native Florida plants, bonsai trees, rare caladium bulbs, succulents and much more. The sale is open from 9am to 5pm on both Saturday and Sunday, and it is recommended that you bring a wagon or a plant cart.
• Popular comedian and Netflix star Tom Segura performs next week on March 14 at the Kia Center. The show is apart of his new "Come Together" tour, and will feature various different stories and jokes never before heard in his specials. Doors will open at 6:30pm and the event is scheduled to start at 7:30pm. Click here for more information and to purchase your ticket.
• Orlando's delicious and diverse cuisine will get a starring role in season 7 of the popular culinary series 'Somebody Feed Phil,' which is streaming exclusively on Netflix. The 45-minute episode is devoted to showing Orlando's homegrown food and culture, and features different restaurants from various parts of the city. Head to the Visit Orlando website to see which restaurants and foods will be featured.
• Universal Studios Orlando continue their famous Mardi Gras festivities and they will run nightly until its conclusion on April 7. The parade takes 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.
• SeaWorld will begin celebrating their 60th anniversary next month with different festivities that include new rides, shows and parades. The campaign will have a "So Much More to Sea" theme and will begin on March 21, the date SeaWorld opened in San Diego in 1964. The kick-off party will continue through March 24, and there will be additional special events and experiences coming this summer.
• Legoland Florida is in possession of their new 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 tomorrow, 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.
• 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 and CEO Jason Siegel spoke at the Tourist Development Council meeting recently in Orange County.

GO Sports executive board member Drew Donovan (Arnold Palmer Tournament Director) at the podium addressing the crowd at the Arnold Palmer Invitational Gala.

GO Sports Associate VP Kyle Sturley met Betsy DeVos while participating in the DeVos Institute of Arts Management program being conducted in Orlando to support a number of arts and creative organizations from the community.

GO Sports Associate VPs Chase DeMayo and Lindsey McBride, Managers Nolan McDonald and Elizabeth Caldarelli, and Coordinator Carter Gravitte worked at registration for the Arnold Palmer Invitational Gala.

GO Sports President and CEO Jason Siegel and his wife Sarah attended the Orlando Wine Festival & Auction benefitting the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation last weekend.

GO Sports President and CEO Jason Siegel pictured with Amy Palmer Saunders on the first day of the Arnold Palmer Invitational golf tournament.

GO Sports Senior VPs Brent Nelson and Michael Kalinich, and Associate VP Lindsey McBride went to the Orlando Business Journal's Doing Business in Osceola event, pictured with Hans Steinbrenner (Osceola Magic), Jessica Beers (Kissimmee Sports Commission), and the Osceola Magic mascot.

GO Sports Senior VPs Brent Nelson and Michael Kalinich, and Associate VP Lindsey McBride pictured with executive board member Robb Larson (Osceola Heritage Park) at the Orlando Business Journal's Doing Business in Osceola event.

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Fun & Games.

• Arnold Palmer Invitational Tournament Information
• Orlando Sentinel Foodie Awards