Impact Update for Thursday, May 29 | | |
"This is an incredibly exciting day as we officially unveil Universal Epic Universe to the world...Epic Universe is the culmination of what we’ve been working on for nearly a decade. Our teams have poured so much passion, vision and dedication into this new park and there is truly nothing like it in our universe."
-Karen Irwin
President & Chief Operating Officer
Universal Orlando Resort
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Quote of the Day.
"Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently."
-Henry Ford
American Business Magnate
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Around The Horn.
- The Orlando Pride defeated the Utah Royals 3-1 on Friday night at American First Field. The win secures the Pride (6-3-1, 19 points) unbeaten streak against the Royals since they relaunched last season, and Barbra Banda recorded the first hat trick in Orlando Pride history. The Pride will now enter an international break before returning to Inter&Co Stadium on Saturday, June 7 at 7:00pm to face the Houston Dash.
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Major League Soccer has opened the voting process for the 2025 MLS All-Star Game, which includes participation by players, fans, and media. The 2025 All-Star Game will be hosted by Austin FC at Q2 Stadium on Wednesday, July 23, and will feature the MLS All-Stars taking on a team of All-Stars from Mexico’s top soccer league, LIGA MX. Click here to cast your vote.
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Orlando City SC (7-3-6, 27 points) will return to the City Beautiful for their ninth game in 28 days as they host Chicago Fire FC to wrap up a congested May schedule on Saturday, May 31. Kickoff from Inter&Co Stadium is set for 7:30pm, with the match airing live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
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UCF Softball pitcher Isabella Vega became just the third Knight to earn All-American status after she was named Freshman All-American by Softball America on Tuesday. She joins fellow pitcher Shelby Turnier (2015) and Jada Cody (2022) as the only Knights to earn All-American honors. The Bradenton native wrapped up her first full season at UCF, finishing with a 14-7 record and a 1.70 ERA in 32 appearances, including 20 starts.
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The Orlando Squeeze remain in first place of the Major League Pickleball standings following the team's four matches at the MLP Austin Tournament from Friday, May 23 - Monday, May 26. The Squeeze (10-5, 28 points) have a break in competition before traveling to Washington, D.C. for the MLP Washington DC tournament from Thursday, July 3 - Monday, July 7.
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The University of Central Florida received nearly $21 million in revenue from the Big 12 Conference during its first season in the Power 4 league. According to the most recent 990 tax documents obtained by Orlando Sentinel, the conference reported $493.82 million in total revenue for the 2023-24 fiscal year. This was the first year the Knights were members of the Big 12 Conference, adding BYU, Cincinnati and Houston.
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The Orlando Solar Bears, in conjunction with the ECHL, have announced its dates for the home opening game on Friday, Oct. 17 at 7:00pm and ninth annual school day game on Tuesday, Nov. 4 at 10:30am. The remainder of the Solar Bears schedule for the 2025-26 season is subject to change based on the release of the 2025-26 NBA schedule.
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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
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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
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Around Town.
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Universal Orlando Resort celebrated the grand opening of its newest theme park, Universal Epic Universe, on Thursday, May 22, 2025 - marking the official debut of one of the most innovative and immersive theme parks ever created and the first major theme park to open in Orlando in 25 years. The groundbreaking new theme park transports guests to five imaginative worlds filled with adventures that go beyond guests' wildest imaginations.
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FloridaCommerce has announced the Orlando metro area gained the highest number of private sector jobs over the year in April 2025 among all metro areas. The region's private sector employment increased by 25,500 jobs (+1.9%) over the year in April 2025, and the labor force was up 18,539 (+1.2%). In April 2025, Orlando led all metro areas in job gains over the year in leisure and hospitality, adding 7,700 jobs; government, adding 2,800 jobs; other services, adding 2,100 jobs; and financial activities, adding 1,700 jobs.
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Cvent, the industry-leading meetings, events, and hospitality technology provider, has named Orlando as the No. 1 Top Meeting Destination in North America. This marks the tenth time Orlando has topped the globally recognized Cvent Top Meeting Destinations list, which analyzes and ranks cities that stand out for exceptional ability to attract group business to their areas through thoughtful event planner collaboration, distinctive experiential offerings, and unique hotels and venues. "More than just a city to visit for its theme parks, Orlando is also becoming a major driver of sports tourism, one of 11 cities hosting the first-ever FIFA Club World Cup 2025 taking place June 14–July 13. The city will host six matches at two venues, Inter&Co Stadium and Camping World Stadium." - Malik Anderson of Smart Meetings
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Orlando city council members approved a $105,000 contract to start construction on The Canopy, which will be built on 10 acres underneath I-4. The area will become an entertainment space with art and light shows, while integrating different forms of transportation for convenience. The project will stretch from Church Street to Washington Street and be bordered by Garland Avenue and Hughey Avenue.
- Several Full Sail University graduates, faculty, and students helped bring to life Universal's newest theme park, Epic Universe, which debuted in Orlando on Thursday, May 22. The various positions ranged anywhere from mobile development and facility engineering to sound design and managing lighting. Read the press release and full list of names.
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Rollins College is underway on millions of dollars of new construction at and around its Winter Park campus, according to Orlando Business Journal. The private, nonprofit college topped off its East End Neighborhood dorm, which will feature 297 beds on the former site of the 80-bed Holt Hall. The $72 million complex began construction in 2024 and will finish in time for the fall semester.
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Dominican airline Arajet has announced an expansion in the United States with the launch of nonstop flights from Punta Cana International Airport to Orlando Sanford International Airport. This is Arajet’s sixth destination in the U.S. and second in Florida, with destinations in Miami, Boston, Chicago, New York, and San Juan. Flights from Arajet to and from the Dominican Republic to Sanford on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays will begin on Oct. 26, 2025.
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Visit Orlando has revealed that Orlando welcomed 75,333,800 visitors in 2024 - an increase of 1.8% over 2023. Domestic visitation grew by 1.4%, totaling 68,840,300 visitors in 2024, and this increase was driven in part by a rise in day visits and overnight non-hotel stays. International visitation continued to recover at a faster pace, growing 5.9% from the previous year. In total, Orlando welcomed 6.5 million visitors from international markets in 2024.
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GO Sports is proud to announce the 7th annual Celebrating Women in Sports Luncheon presented by Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute will be hosted at Addition Financial Arena on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. This year's featured speaker is 3x Olympic Beach Volleyball Gold Medalist, Misty May-Treanor!
In addition to Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute returning as the presenting sponsor, Florida Blue is returning as the sponsor of the featured speaker's fireside chat. Last year’s luncheon sold out with more than 725 guests in attendance.
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All Around.
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Universal's Epic Universe is now open to the public following the theme park's official debut on Thursday, May 22. The themed areas of Epic include Super Nintendo World, Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic, How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk and Dark Universe, which showcases classic monsters created by Universal Studios. Universal is offering a range of new ticket options, including passholder tickets and bundled resort vacation packages.
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Walt Disney World is offering discounted theme park tickets to Florida residents through the summer and into late September. The four-day Summer Magic Ticket is currently on sale and averages out to be $60 per day. The ticket is valid from May 18 through Sept. 27. There are no block-out dates, but park reservations are required. The park visits can be on non-consecutive days.
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SeaWorld Orlando has a new attraction up and running named Expedition Odyssey, a "flying theater" ride that will virtually transport visitors from Florida to the Arctic Circle. Expedition Odyssey passengers sit in double-decker rows of 15 people. Once everyone is secured, the whole seating apparatus swivels to face the big screen, which was previously unseen. The curved screen is 50 feet in diameter and creates a detailed, immersive experience.
- The 155th Silver Spurs Rodeo returns to Kissimmee this weekend, May 30-31, at Silver Spurs Arena in Osceola Heritage Park. Guests can enjoy the sport of rodeo's seven traditional events: bull riding, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, team roping, steer wrestling and women's barrel racing. Ticket pricing for reserved seating varies by date and age.
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Join the Downtown Orlando Partnership for Chow on Church, presented by the City of Orlando's Downtown Development Board, on Tuesday, June 3 from 3:30pm - 6:00pm at Inter&Co Stadium. The event aims to celebrate and support local downtown businesses and includes business networking, food tasting, the opportunity to meet Orlando Pride players, and two complimentary tickets for an upcoming Pride match.
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Join City District for a splash of creativity and a sip of inspiration at a Paint & Sip Night in Downtown Orlando on Wednesday, June 4! Hosted at vibrant CityArts and proudly sponsored by Orlando Health, this one-of-a-kind evening blends art, wine and wellness featuring themes of medicine, therapy and music. Limited spots are available, click here to purchase your tickets today.
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Think Integrated is offering a free two-day workshop and scholarship for first-generation college students interested in creative careers. The workshop explores several different modules, including design, storytelling, social media, video, digital marketing, and web development. The event will take place on Thursday and Friday, June 26-27, from 9:00am to 4:00pm on both days.
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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.
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Florida residents can save big while visiting Walt Disney World Resort theme parks. Click here to view the current list of special offers.
| | The GO Sports team hosted the FHSAA Softball State Championships at Boombah-Soldiers Creek Park from Tuesday, May 20 - Saturday, May 24. | | The GO Sports team hosted the NCAA DII Tennis Championships at Sanlando Park from Tuesday, May 20 - Sunday, May 25, pictured with volunteers at the event. | | GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel and COO Jennifer Lastik attended the Orlando Valkyries championship celebration at City Hall, pictured with GO Sports Chairman Caesar Lopez (Orlando City SC, Orlando Pride), GO Sports board members Kurt Esser (Florida Region of USA Volleyball), Dan Pollock (AT&T) and Erik Nilsen (Orlando Valkyries), and Kay Rawlins (Orlando City SC, Orlando Pride), Jarrod Dillon (Orlando City SC, Orlando Pride), and Sarah Ratzlaff (Orlando Valkyries). | | GO Sports Associate VP Chase DeMayo attended the HBCU Welcome Home Tournament Kickoff Reception, pictured with GO Sports board member Latria Graham (GLB), and HBCU Welcome Home Tournament Founder Stanley Cromartie. | | GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel and Commissioner Bob Dallari welcomed student-athletes to TopGolf Lake Mary for the NCAA DII Tennis Championships athlete banquet, pictured with GO Sports board member Rebekah Arthur (Seminole County Chamber), and Danny Trosset (Seminole County). | | GO Sports COO Jennifer Lastik, VP Kyle Sturley, and Director Jordan Lyda hosted Commissioner Bob Dallari at the FHSAA Softball State Championships where he threw out a ceremonial first pitch, pictured with Danny Trosset (Seminole County) and Mike Baker (Seminole County). | | The GO Sports team hosted over 300 student-athletes at TopGolf Lake Mary for the NCAA DII Tennis Championships athlete banquet. | | GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel attended the Florida TaxWatch Spring Meeting, pictured with former Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp, and GO Sports board members John Saboor (Full Sail University) and Craig Swygert (Clear Channel Outdoors). | | GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel attended the live broadcast of The Today Show in Winter Park, pictured with Stan Rubins (Visit Orlando) and Charles Harris (Visit Orlando). | | GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel attended the FHSAA Softball State Championships at Boombah-Soldiers Creek Park, pictured with former GO Sports board member Tom Draper (GOAA). | | GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel attended High Point Climbing & Fitness' Orlando location in the Packing District, pictured with Thomas Williams (Dr. Phillips Charities), Ken Robinson (Dr. Phillips Charities), John Wiygul (High Point) and Johnny O'Brien (High Point). | | GO Sports welcomed children from the East Altamonte Boys & Girls Club to attend the NCAA DII Tennis Championships at Sanlando Park. | | GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel and his wife Sarah Grafton attended the Runway to Hope 2025 Spring Soiree at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort. | | GO Sports COO Jennifer Lastik attended the grand opening of Universal's new Epic Universe theme park, pictured with GO Sports board member Melanie DiVirgilio (Seacoast Bank). | | GO Sports Associate VP Chase DeMayo attended the Veteran Entrepreneurial Initiative Summit, pictured with GO Sports board member Willie Johnson (VyStar Credit Union). | | GO Sports Director Jordan Lyda attended the Challenged Athletes Foundation's Adaptive Sports Clinic at UCF, pictured with Lauren Gerrbi (Challenged Athletes Foundation). | | Corporate Partner Spotlight. | | |
GO Sports is proud to welcome our newest corporate partner, Transportation Management Systems! For more information, click the logo above.
Thank you for supporting sports tourism in Greater Orlando!
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