Impact Update for Thursday, February 13

"This kit is a tribute to our fans who have supported us day in and day out, through everything, rain or shine...It is also inspired by our players’ ability to thrive in adverse weather conditions, and a reminder that Inter&Co Stadium is one of the toughest environments in Major League Soccer for visiting teams to compete in."

-Pedro Araujo

Orlando City SC Chief Marketing Officer

Quote of the Day.

"The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great in whatever they want to do."

-Kobe Bryant

NBA Legend

Around The Horn.

• Orlando City SC unveiled its new Perfect Storm Kit for the 2025-26 season, drawing inspiration from the intense weather of Central Florida, powering the Club into and throughout its 11th season in Major League Soccer. For the first time in Club history, the pattern on the body of the kit will be unique on each and every jersey, representing the distinct nature of the weather in Orlando and the storm-like atmosphere at Inter&Co Stadium.
• Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts and his family visited Walt Disney World following the Philadelphia Eagles' victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. Hurts was part of a parade that took place down Magic Kingdom's Main Street along with several of Disney's well-known characters. Hurts' visit is the first time Magic Kingdom has hosted post-Super Bowl festivities since 2021.
• The Orlando Magic defeated the Charlotte Hornets 102-86 at Kia Center in the team's final exhibition before the All-Star break. The Magic (27-29) shook off a poor start to outscore the Hornets by 18 points in the second half, led by Paolo Banchero who finished with 24 points. The Magic return from the All-Star break on Thursday, Feb. 20 with a game in Atlanta against the Hawks.
• The Orlando Pride has signed midfielder Aryssa Mahrt and goalkeeper DeAira Jackson to short-term contracts ahead of the 2025 season. Mahrt played for the University of Wisconsin, while DeAira Jackson joins the Pride out of Grand Canyon University. Jackson is coming off a historic 2024 season after she was named All-WAC First Team and the 2024 WAC Goalkeeper of the Year.
• UCF Softball earned its largest ranked comeback win in program history after overcoming a 5-0 deficit against No. 15 Missouri. The Knights (6-1) were led by redshirt freshman Isabella Vega, whose seven scoreless innings in relief spearheaded the team's 6-5 win and extended the team's active win streak to five straight games.
• The Orlando Solar Bears earned their league-leading 10th overtime victory of the season Saturday night, cementing a sweep of a home-and-home series with the South Carolina Stingrays. The Solar Bears (26-18-7) are currently in third place of the ECHL South division, and will travel to face the Jacksonville Icemen this Saturday, Feb. 15 at 7:00pm.
• Major League Fishing's Bass Pro Tour Fan Experience will be held this weekend on Feb. 15-16 at Ski Beach Park on the Harris Chain of Lakes in Leesburg, FL. Guests can enjoy food trucks, kid's fishing derby, live music, giveaway prizes, autographs from Bass Pro finalists and more! The event is free to attend and will run from 1:00pm - 5:30pm each day.
• UCF Men's Basketball will look to bounce back from its loss to Iowa State Tuesday night as the team now travels to Boulder, CO to face Colorado this Saturday, Feb. 15 at 3:00pm. The Knights (13-11, 4-9 Big 12) are currently averaging 79.0 points per game on 42.2% shooting.
• Osceola Magic two-way guard Mac McClung will take flight in the 2025 AT&T Slam Dunk Contest this Saturday, Feb. 15 at Chase Center in San Francisco. McClung is the two-time reigning AT&T Slam Dunk champion after winning in 2023 and 2024. The Texas Tech product will look to become the first three-peat dunk contest winner in NBA history.
• The Orlando Valkyries will have four representatives compete in the inaugural PVF All-Star match on Saturday, Feb. 22, where it will be broadcast nationally on CBS. Every team is represented in this year’s All-Star match, with the Atlanta Vibe, Orlando Valkyries and Vegas Thrill headlining the match with four players apiece.

Tickets are 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!

Around Town.

• Downtown Orlando's Lake Eola Park is set for a $60 million renovation, featuring a relocated swan boat marina, expanded amphitheater seating with a new canopy, new restrooms with integrated outdoor concession stands, and wider sidewalks. The city is currently accepting bids for the project until Friday, Feb. 28, with final designs and a construction timeline to be determined once proposals are reviewed by city officials.
• The City of Orlando officially launched its year-long celebration marking Orlando's 150th anniversary with a special event at City Commons Plaza where Mayor Buddy Dyer, alongside city officials and community partners, unveiled a commemorative banner to kick off the festivities. In his remarks, Mayor Dyer highlighted various events planned throughout the year, with a grand celebration set for July 31, the city's official birthday.
• Orange County Government, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity, has launched the first Financial Empowerment Center in the state of Florida, offering free, one-on-one financial counseling to all Orange County residents. This program is designed to help provide the tools necessary to navigate financial challenges and achieve your unique financial goals.
• Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, City Commissioner Patty Sheehan and the Orlando Land Trust broke ground on the Lake Eola butterfly sculpture garden, funded by the Orlando Land Trust through the Grandmother's Legacy of Love campaign. The project features large-scale butterfly sculptures, curated landscaping and interactive elements for visitors. The garden is expected to be completed in fall 2025.
• Universal Orlando has unveiled several food menu items coming to restaurants at its new Epic Universe theme park set to debut on May 22. There will be 30 dining locations in the park and more than 100 new menu items corresponding with various themes within the Epic Universe theme park. View the menu items here.
• The City of Kissimmee has announced its plans for a new emergency operations center and parking garage downtown, according to Orlando Business Journal. The city has put out a bid process for a firm to design a 15,000-square-foot building and 250-space parking garage. The city's current emergency communications center does not have room to expand, and the parking structure would address a lack of parking for the employees of the police department and 911 Center.
• The City of Orlando has reopened Orange Avenue to traffic on weekends as part of the city's ongoing effort to transform the flow of both pedestrian and vehicular traffic to improve safety in the area. Orange Avenue, as well as Central Boulevard and Pine Street, will be open in the evening while maintaining pedestrian access to sidewalks.
• AdventHealth has filed site plans for a new medical office building in Winter Garden focused on cancer care. The vision calls for a three-story, 69,183-square-foot building, according to Orlando Business Journal. The move comes as the nonprofit health system is currently going through a $145 million expansion of its Winter Garden hospital, which will add an additional 105,000 square feet and is expected to be completed in 2026.

FIFA is looking for passionate and dedicated volunteers to be the friendly faces on the ground this summer during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup! Don't miss your chance to be part of this historic event - learn more at the link below and fill out your application today to volunteer at the first-ever 32-team FIFA Club World Cup.

The NWSL Champion Orlando Pride will host the Washington Spirit in the NWSL Challenge Cup on March 7, 2025 at Inter&Co Stadium! Due to the Orlando Pride claiming both the regular season and playoff titles in 2024, the 2025 NWSL Challenge Cup will serve as a rematch of the 2024 NWSL Championship between the Pride and the Washington Spirit. Click the link below to secure your tickets today!

All Around.

• Universal Orlando's Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnival has begun at its Universal Studios theme park and will continue until Mar. 30. Concerts are held on select nights following the park's nightly Mardi Gras parade, which features six new floats this year as well as the traditional bead tossing. The concerts, which are included with Universal admission, are held at the park’s Music Plaza Stage.
• The Epcot International Festival of the Arts continues at Walt Disney World as the festival showcases visual, theatrical and culinary arts for theme park visitors. New this year, the "Once Upon A Stage: Celebrating 30 Years of Disney on Broadway" walk-through exhibit features costumes, set models and behind-the-scenes items from their stage productions. The festival runs daily through Feb. 24 and the exhibit is located in the new CommuniCore Hall.
• SeaWorld Orlando is making additions to its Coasters After Dark after-hours event, which returns on Mar. 12 and will have elements of its Seven Seas Food Festival included. The limited time/limited attendance event allows access to eight thrill rides, and will now include a five-sample lanyard for use at select Seven Seas booths.
• The City of Orlando's Black History Month exhibit is now open in the City Hall Terrace Gallery and will remain open until Mar. 30. The display showcases art pieces of 32 local visual artists inspired by this year's theme, "African Americans and Labor," which focuses on the various and profound ways works of all kinds intersect with the collective experiences of black culture.
• The Silver Spurs Rodeo returns to Osceola County this weekend, beginning with its annual parade in St. Cloud starting at 10am this Saturday, Feb. 15. The evening after the parade, 'Monster Bulls' will gather fans inside Silver Spurs Arena in a test that combines some of the best bulls and riders in the state. The weekend of Feb. 20-23 marks the 154th Silver Spurs Rodeo returning to Osceola Heritage Park featuring all seven traditional rodeo events.
• Join City District Orlando on Sunday, Feb. 23 for its quarterly clean-up event to clean up the city and help make the community shine. Complimentary coffee and pastries will be available, and all present volunteers will receive (1) free Orlando Solar Bears ticket.
• Join the Orlando Solar Bears on Thursday, Feb. 20 from 3:00pm - 5:30pm for its Career Fair at the Kia Center. For just $20, bring your resume and connect with partners, sports organizations, and hear from a panel of industry leaders. The Career Fair will be followed by a 30-minute Happy Hour and the Solar Bears vs. Jacksonville Icemen game at 7:00pm.
• Art After Dark is returning to the Downtown Arts District on Saturday, Mar. 8 from 7:00 - 10:00pm, promising an unforgettable evening of art, culture, and live entertainment perfect for young professionals and the young at heart. Guests can enjoy live music and explore CityArts’ seven stunning galleries and café, each featuring brand-new works by talented Orlando artists.
• Addition Financial Arena has announced the 12th annual Touch-A-Truck will commence on Saturday, Mar. 8 from 12:00pm - 3:00pm. Touch-A-Truck offers children the chance to discover more about their favorite trucks and vehicles they encounter every day. Featured vehicles at the event will include emergency response vehicles, construction trucks, off-road vehicles and more.
• 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 and his wife Sarah Grafton attended the Super Bowl Parade at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, pictured with Jalen Hurts (Super Bowl MVP), Jessica Beers (Experience Kissimmee), Elizabeth Watkins (Walt Disney World), Jose Gonzalez (Walt Disney World), and board members Tim Giuliani (OEP) and Lisa Messina (Visit Orlando).

GO Sports Executive VP Brent Nelson and Director Jordan Lyda attended the CFHLA Downtown Hoteliers Luncheon, pictured with Commissioner Robert Stuart, Robert Agrusa (CFHLA), and board members Benjamin McCarney (Grand Bohemian), John Lyon (Crowne Plaza) and Allen Johnson (Orlando Venues).

GO Sports Executive VP Michael Kalinich, Associate VP Chase DeMayo and Coordinator Jordan Henderson attended the I-Drive Chamber of Commerce monthly meeting at Rodizio Steakhouse.

The GO Sports team attended the UCF vs Iowa State basketball game at Addition Financial Arena, pictured with board members and corporate partners.

GO Sports Executive VP Brent Nelson and Director Jordan Lyda attended the Rosen College of Hospitality Management and I-Drive Chamber's Tribute to Harris Rosen, pictured with former CFHLA President & CEO Richard Maladecki.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel and his wife Sarah Grafton attended the AdventHealth Winter Park 70th anniversary celebration, pictured with Jason Henry (District Manager for Congressman Maxwell Frost) and Nicholas Abrahams (Winter Park Health Foundation).

GO Sports COO Jennifer Lastik attended the Drop The Mic One-Year Anniversary Celebration, pictured with Danielle Permenter (OEP), Jo Newell (Drop The Mic), Sheena Fowler (Innovate Orlando), Kelly Trace (Reach) and board member Adrianna Sekula (Drop The Mic).

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel hosted a Legacy Lunch with past Chairmen of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission, pictured with current Chairman Caesar Lopez (Orlando City SC, Orlando Pride), Chair Elect Tammy Gustafson (Universal), Executive Committee members Sharon Line Clary (AdventHealth) and Chris Carmody (GrayRobinson), board members Faron Kelley (Walt Disney World), Paul Johns (Orlando Health), Greg Lee (BakerHostetler) and Mike Millay (Clancy Sports), and Dan Malasky (IMG Academy).

GO Sports COO Jennifer Lastik attended the Orlando Business Journal Mentor Networking event, pictured with Donna Dyson (Greenberg Traurig), Kelly Hyne (Orlando City SC, Orlando Pride), Jill Vaughn (Downtown Orlando Partnership), Wendy Terry (Withum), and board member Anne-Marie Hayward (Orlando Business Journal).

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel attended the FedEx Corporate Partner Dinner prior to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, pictured with SJ Tuohy (Oral Roberts), George Kittle (San Francisco 49ers) and Cam Jordan (New Orleans Saints).

GO Sports Executive VP Michael Kalinich attended the UCF vs Iowa State basketball game at Addition Financial Arena, pictured with corporate partner Eddie Serrano (Empire Coach Line).

Corporate Partner Spotlight.

GO Sports is proud to welcome our newest corporate partner, ThreatLocker! For more information, click the logo above.

Thank you for supporting sports tourism in Greater Orlando!

Fun & Games.

• What's Happening: Lake County Things To Do
• What's Happening: Orange County Things To Do
• What's Happening: Osceola County Things To Do
• What's Happening: Seminole County Things To Do