Impact Update for Thursday, April 17

"I thought we did a good job of keeping everyone under control, calm. There were some moments where one or two guys would get frustrated at the ref or maybe frustrated with each other real quick, and guys were able to tell each other to relax, regroup and shake it off quickly. That’s just what a good team does. That’s what a tight locker room does. And we were able to do that.”

-Paolo Banchero

Orlando Magic Forward

Quote of the Day.

"The bad news is time flies. The good news is you're the pilot."

-Michael Altshuler

American Author

Around The Horn.

• The Orlando Magic have secured their spot in the NBA Playoffs for the second straight season following Tuesday's 120-95 victory over the Atlanta Hawks in the play-in tournament. Cole Anthony exploded for 26 points on 10-of-17 overall shooting, Wendell Carter Jr. recorded 19 points and Anthony Black finished with 16 points. The Magic will now travel to face the Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs beginning this Sunday, April 20 at 3:30pm.
• USA Volleyball has announced the 2026 USA Volleyball Open National Championships will take place at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando from May 22-27, 2026. Celebrating its status as the longest-running adult volleyball championship in the United States, the event will bring together athletes of all skill levels, ages, and backgrounds for an unforgettable week of competition.
• The Boombah-Soldiers Creek Park in Longwood has been selected to host the 2025 Florida High School Softball State Championships. In partnership with Seminole County and GO Sports, Florida’s best high school softball teams in 2025 will seek a conclusion to their season within the friendly confines of Seminole County.
• Orange County Commissioners will vote on Tuesday, April 22 if $18 million in Tourist Development Tax money will help bring a series of WrestleMania and UFC events to Orlando beginning next year. GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel presented to the TDT Sports Incentive Committee last month, earning a unanimous recommendation from the panel which offers its opinion to the county commission for the final say.
• The Orlando Pride defeated Seattle Reign FC 1-0 on Saturday afternoon at Lumen Field. The Pride (4-0-0, 12 points) have now won their fourth straight match to start the regular season, becoming just the fourth team in NWSL history to do so. Orlando will return home to Inter&Co Stadium this Saturday, April 19 at 5:00pm to host the Washington Spirit.
• Orlando City SC played to a scoreless draw against the New York Red Bulls at Inter&Co Stadium on Saturday afternoon. With the draw, the Lions (3-2-3, 12 points) extended their unbeaten streak to five consecutive matches. The club now travels internationally as they make a trip north for a showdown against CF Montréal this Saturday, April 19 at 7:30pm.
• The Orlando Solar Bears wrapped up the final week of the regular season with two victories over the Greenville Swamp Rabbits and Jacksonville Icemen on Sunday. The team now prepares for its first-round playoff series against the Brabham Cup-winning South Carolina Stingrays, which kicks off this Friday, April 18 in Charleston, SC.
• UCF Women's Tennis made history on Saturday, securing UCF Athletics its first Big 12 title. The Knights dominated Utah 4-1 to claim at least a share of the regular-season crown, with the squad being the first in the league to 12 wins. Securing at least a top-two seed in the Big 12 Tournament, the Knights will commence action in the quarterfinals this Friday, April 18 in Waco, TX.
• The Orlando Valkyries begin their two-match road trip with a game against the Columbus Fury this Friday, April 18 at 7:00pm. The Valkyries (13-10) will return home to Addition Financial Arena on Sunday, April 27 to host the Columbus Fury at 6:00pm. With five matches left to go in the regular season, Orlando will only need to win two of those to make the playoffs.

The Orlando Solar Bears are set to face the South Carolina Stingrays for Round One of the South Division Semifinals in the 2025 Kelly Cup Playoffs.

Don't miss the chance to support your hometown team, click the link below to secure your tickets today!

Join the Orlando Squeeze on April 24-27 for the team's season opener at the USTA National Campus in Lake Nona as the Major League Pickleball season is set to begin. Fans can enjoy four days of elite competition with all 16 premier level teams, click the link below and use code SQUEEZE for 15% off tickets!

Tickets are on sale for all 2025 FIFA Club World Cup matches at Inter&Co Stadium this summer! Click the link below to secure your tickets today.

Inter&Co Stadium Group Stage Matches:

Tuesday, June 17, 6:00pm - Ulsan HD vs Mamelodi Sundowns FC

Friday, June 20, 12:00pm - SL Benfica vs Auckland City FC

Tickets are on sale for all 2025 FIFA Club World Cup matches at Camping World Stadium this summer! Click the link below to secure your tickets today.

Camping World Stadium Group Stage matches:

Tuesday, June 24, 9:00pm - TBD vs CR Flamengo

Thursday, June 26, 3:00pm - Juventus FC vs Manchester City

Round of 16 match:

Monday, June 30, 9:00pm - TBD vs TBD

Quarterfinals match:

Friday, July 4, 3:00pm - TBD vs TBD

Around Town.

• Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has announced that six miles of added lanes on Interstate 4 will be completed eight months ahead of schedule. The Florida Department of Transportation will open the new lanes, one additional lane in each direction of I-4 from U.S. 27 in Polk County to World Drive in Osceola County, beginning the week of April 28. The project is part of the multi-billion Moving I-4 Forward program, which introduced a new streamline method called Modified Phased Design-Build.
• Walt Disney World has announced its Grand Floridian Resort & Spa will soon undergo a renovation to its main lobby, marking the final phase of a multi-year refurbishment effort. Work is scheduled from April through November 2025, bringing significant updates while preserving the classic Victorian theme. As part of the refurbishment, the resort will add a brand-new lobby bar.
• A $3.4 million road project is underway at John Young Parkway and Oak Street to improve traffic flow. The work will widen Oak Street for continuous through lanes, while maintaining turn lanes at John Young Parkway. Other improvements include milling, resurfacing and new pavement, sidewalk upgrades, improved traffic signals and lighting, and new landscaping.
• HCA Florida Healthcare has broke ground on a $15 million, 11,000-square-foot freestanding emergency room in west Orange County, according to Orlando Business Journal. HCA Florida Wekiwa Emergency, expected to open in late 2025, will employ 20 health care staff and have 11 exam rooms. It will have imaging services including computed tomography (CT) scan, digital X-ray and ultrasound, as well as an on-site laboratory.
• Popular traveling TV show "Bar Rescue" has made its way to downtown Orlando, recently filming at Game Room & Social Club. The program stars Jon Taffer, a seasoned food and beverage consultant, who comes in and helps turn struggling bars around. Bar owners apply to be “rescued,” and then, based on the opinions of his team, Taffer decides where to go.
• A request has been filed with the City of Orlando to build a hotel with retail and restaurant space near The Mall of Millenia, according to Orlando Business Journal. The plan calls for a 303,372-square-foot hotel with more than 300 units, as well as 7,000 square feet of retail space, a restaurant, and spa. Found on the west side of Interstate 4, the property is close to Universal Orlando and stands to benefit from the opening of Epic Universe.

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.

All Around.

• Universal Helios Grand Hotel, adjacent to the future Epic Universe theme park, is now open to guests ahead of the park's opening on May 22. The 500-room Mediterranean-style resort has its own dedicated entrance to Epic, and it’s wedged between the Dark Universe and Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic areas of the park.
• Walt Disney World has announced both of its water parks will be open to guests at the same time for the first time since the COVID-19 era began. The resort's Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon will be available to the public starting May 21, the Wednesday before Memorial Day. Both water parks feature slides, wave pools, lazy rivers, splash pads and other watery attractions alongside food and beverage offerings.
• Aquatica, SeaWorld Orlando's water park, is gearing up for its springtime event named "Aloha to Summer Celebration." The programming will include sand-castle artists, a family-friendly dance party and games such as cornhole and ring toss (with prizes), all preceded by a welcome celebration with leis and tropical punch. The festivities, included with regular Aquatica admission, will be available on Saturdays and Sundays through Sunday, May 11.
• The 20th annual Central Florida Earth Day returns this Saturday, April 19 from 10:00am to 6:00pm at Lake Eola Park. As the largest and longest-running Earth Day festival in Central Florida, the event is an exciting day of colorful and educational exhibits and activities, and admission is free!
• The 34th annual Florida Film Festival continues this weekend at the Enzian Theater and Regal Winter Park Village. The 10-day festival features 185 films from 41 countries with offerings from feature-length narrative films to Florida-based documentaries and animated shorts. Festival passes are available or tickets can be purchased for individual films.
• The 2025 Golden Brick Awards, presented by AdventHealth, is set to take place in Steinmetz Hall at the Dr. Phillips Center on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. The Golden Brick Awards is the DOP's exclusive annual awards celebrating the people, projects, and initiatives from the previous year that propelled downtown forward. The program also includes the announcement of the “Downtowner of the Year” winner by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.
• 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 participated in a Business of Sports fireside chat for The EXCHANGE at UCF's College of Business, pictured with current UCF student and moderator Caitlin Young.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel attended the AAU James E. Sullivan Award Ceremony at the New York Athletic Club, pictured with Allan Houston (New York Knicks).

GO Sports Executive VP Brent Nelson attended the Sports ETA Symposium in Tulsa, pictured with Bobby Eads (Fishers of Men) and Ryan Ritchie (Discover Lake County, FL).

GO Sports Executive VP Brent Nelson and Director Jordan Lyda attended the Sports ETA Symposium in Tulsa, pictured with staff from Sports Travel.

Corporate Partner Spotlight.

GO Sports is proud to welcome our newest corporate partner, BrightView Landscaping! 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