Impact Update for Thursday, August 14 | | The National Basketball Association released its 2025-26 schedule and announced the Orlando Magic will open the season on Wednesday, October 22 at Kia Center against Miami at 7:00pm. Single-game tickets for the 2025-26 season go on sale on Friday, August 15 at 1:00pm and will be available online at OrlandoMagic.com/tickets, at the Kia Center box office (located on Church Street), or via Ticketmaster at Ticketmaster.com/Magic. | | |
Quote of the Day
"When people throw stones at you, turn them into milestones."
-Sachin Tendulkar
Indian Cricketer
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Across the Board (Of Directors)
- Congratulations to Greater Orlando Sports Commission Board Member Jo Wallen on her recent promotion to Managing Director of National and Global Events at the USTA.
- Congratulations to Board Member Jamie Merrill on being named a Top 50 Women Leaders of Florida by Women We Admire.
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Congratulations to Board Member Rebekah Arthur on celebrating 11 years with the Seminole County Chamber and for being named one of Orlando Business Journal's Most Influential Leaders.
- Congratulations to Board Member Jordan Clark on celebrating 22 years with the University of Central Florida.
- Congratulations to Board Member Robby Barrows on celebrating 20 years with Centennial Bank.
- Congratulations to Board Member Dylan Tell on celebrating 12 years with the Orlando Solar Bears.
- Congratulations to Board Member Bob O’Malley on being featured on Orlando Business Journal's Podcast: What rail expert Bob O’Malley sees ahead of Florida’s passenger train network. See it HERE
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Around The Horn
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The NBA released its 2025-26 schedule and announced the Orlando Magic will open the season on Wednesday, Oct. 22 at 7:00pm against Miami in the Kia Center. Orlando will have 14 games featured on national television – three on NBC/Peacock, three on ESPN, four on Peacock, and four on Amazon Prime. The Magic will open training camp on Tuesday, Sept. 30 at the AdventHealth Training Center in downtown Orlando.
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Orlando City SC earned a commanding 4-1 victory over Inter Miami CF in the Florida Derby on Sunday night at Inter&Co Stadium. With the win, the Lions secured their first-ever season sweep of their intrastate rivals, outscoring Inter Miami 7-1 across the two meetings. Orlando City (12-6-8, 44 points) will remain at home and is set to host Kansas City Sporting at Inter&Co Stadium this Saturday, Aug. 16 at 7:30pm.
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The Orlando Pride earned a 1-1 draw against Racing Louisville on Saturday night at Inter&Co Stadium. With the result, the Pride are now unbeaten in six home matches against Louisville in the all-time series. The Pride (8-4-3, 27 points) now head to CPKC Stadium for a top-of-the-table clash with the Kansas City Current on Saturday, Aug. 16 at 4:00pm.
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A new HBCU eight-team basketball tournament is set to debut at Walt Disney World Resort. The inaugural ESPN HBCU Hoops Invitational will take place from Thursday, Dec. 4 to Sunday, Dec. 7 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. The men's bracket will feature Florida A&M, Tuskegee, Florida Memorial, and Barber-Scotia. The women's bracket includes Bethune-Cookman, Hampton, Edward Waters, and Cheyney.
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The Legacy Classic returns to Camping World Stadium this Saturday, Aug. 16 as the Jones High School Tigers are set to face the Seminole High School Seminoles at 4:00pm. The Legacy Classic is an annual football game hosted by Jones High School at Camping World Stadium. The stadium sits in the heart of the West Lakes communities, where many Jones students and families reside.
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The UCF women's soccer team will officially open its 2025 season tonight, Aug. 14 at 8:00pm against UAB. The Knights welcome back six starters as well as 13 returning letterwinners from last season’s team. The Black and Gold will also look to mix in a total of 12 newcomers to the fold with eight incoming transfers and four true freshmen. The match will air live on ESPN+ and live stats will be available by visiting UCF.Statbroadcast.com.
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The reigning champion Orlando Valkyries acted fast on day two of free agency, reloading their roster and inking 12 players, as they aim to defend their title. The Valkyries kicked off free agency securing rookie sensation Natalie Foster, who led the league with 64 service aces, on day one. Day two brought even more fireworks, with seven of the 12 signings coming from last season’s championship roster.
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Single game tickets to the Tampa Bay Lightning vs Florida Panthers NHL preseason game at the Kia Center are on sale now. The Lightning, NHL affiliate of the Orlando Solar Bears, will face the reigning champions on Tuesday, Sept. 30 at 7:30pm. Don't miss your chance to witness professional hockey right here in Orlando, visit the Solar Bears' website to purchase your tickets today.
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The Orlando Squeeze have advanced to the Major League Pickleball Playoffs following a strong showing at the MLP Salt Lake City Tournament where they won three out of five matches. The Squeeze (15-10, 42 points) now look ahead to San Diego as they travel to compete in the first round of the playoffs this Friday, Aug. 15 to Sunday, Aug. 17.
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GO Sports is proud to host the 7th annual Celebrating Women in Sports Luncheon presented by Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute on Wednesday, September 17! This year's featured speaker is 3x Olympic Beach Volleyball Gold Medalist, Misty May-Treanor, and 5 local leaders will be recognized: Carrie Allen (Orlando City SC & Orlando Pride), Shannon Clark (Florida Citrus Sports), Chrissy Elliott (Florida Citrus Sports), Heather Fagan (City of Orlando), and Sherry Wheelock (Special Olympics Florida).
Limited tables and event sponsorships are still available! Reach out to Michael and Chase on our team to secure your seat today. For more information, visit Greaterorlandosports.com/celebrating-women-in-sports/.
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Around Town
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EA Sports and Full Sail University have announced the return of the Madden NFL 26 Championship Series (MCS 26) to the Full Sail University Orlando Health Fortress for the second consecutive year. Following the success of last year’s events, four select MCS 26 competitions and broadcast productions, beginning in Sept. 2025 through Jan. 2026, will be held on Full Sail’s Winter Park campus just minutes from EA’s offices in downtown Orlando.
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Paramount and UFC have announced a seven-year, $7.7 billion deal for U.S. rights that will bring 30 Fight Nights and 13 marquee numbered events to CBS and Paramount+ annually, beginning in 2026. Full access to UFC events will be available as part of the Paramount+ normal subscription fee, ending the pay-per-view model that UFC previously relied on for its marquee events through its partnership with ESPN+.
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Visit Orlando's Magical Dining, presented by Orlando Health, is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2025 with a record-breaking 160 restaurants in the program which will run from this Friday, Aug. 15 through Tuesday, Sept. 30. The extensive list includes 24 newcomers and 15 Michelin Guide-recognized options, each offering three-course prix fixe menus priced at $40 and $60. A portion of every meal sold will benefit the REED Charitable Foundation, a local nonprofit dedicated to early childhood development and literacy.
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Build-A-Bear Workshop has officially broken ground on a new multi-level flagship store at ICON Park in Orlando. Set to open in 2026, the new space will feature the brand’s signature "make-your-own" experience along with new interactive and personalized elements designed to appeal to all ages. Designed by Chute Gerdeman, the workshop will include a striking facade on International Drive and aims to create an immersive, engaging environment.
- Central Florida is getting a brand new rollercoaster for just one day as the popular Red Bull Tandem Rollercoaster will make its way to Cranes Roost Park in Altamonte Springs on Saturday, Sept. 27. The event presents an entertaining and twisty spectacle that involves decorated bikes and pairs of riders navigating an obstacle-filled track with water on either side. With an estimated attendance of more than 30,000, this is the first time the event will be hosted in the United States. Applications are open for pairs of competitors through Friday, Aug. 15. Around 40 teams will be chosen based on their roller coaster-themed bike and costume design.
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Travelers with small children can now use dedicated, family-friendly security lanes at Orlando International Airport, part of a new program that aims to minimize stress for flyers traveling with strollers and other items. The Transportation Security Administration debuted the lanes in Orlando due to its close proximity to theme parks and high volume of vacationers with children. The dedicated lanes are available to families with children 12 and under, and no advance registration is required.
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All Around
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Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights is less than three weeks away, and you won't want to miss it. On select nights from Friday, Aug. 29 - Sunday, Nov. 2, Halloween Horror Nights will unleash the ultimate nightmare as park guests wander through a sinister lineup of 10 all-new haunted houses, a collection of scare zones, several live shows, and more. Universal is currently offering a wide array of ticket options, ranging anywhere from single-night tickets to Frequent Fear passes and R.I.P. Tours.
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Walt Disney World has released the menu and pricing for the 2025 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, which begins later this month. There are dozens of new-to-fest edibles listed and one new “global marketplace” with an intergalactic feel. The festival is included with regular Epcot admission, and will run daily through Saturday, Nov. 22.
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SeaWorld Orlando is planning an "Ultimate Challenge," inviting visitors to experience all eight of its rollercoasters this Saturday, Aug. 16, which is also National Rollercoaster Day. The first 2,000 challenge participants will receive a lanyard for tracking their progress, and people who complete all eight coasters will receive a 2025 national Roller Coaster Day poster. There will be a check-in table near guest services at the front of the park on Saturday, and the park will be open from 9:00am-9:00pm.
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Madame Tussauds has created 13 new Taylor Swift wax figures for installation in attractions around the globe, including the ICON Park location on International Drive. The looks are tied to Swift's global Eras Tour, which had 149 sell-out dates. Visit their website to learn more of what ICON Park has to offer and purchase your attraction tickets ahead of time.
- The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts is now offering a partial season subscription for the first time ever since co-presenting Orlando's annual touring Broadway series. A six-show ticket package is now on sale, and the arts center launched a marketing campaign for the new series on Tuesday, Aug. 6. Unlike some subscription packages at local theaters that allow patrons to choose which shows they attend, this reduced season ticket will be for six specific shows.
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WWE SmackDown returns to Kia Center on Friday, Sept. 26 and promises to be an unforgettable night of electrifying wrestling action, featuring the biggest names in the WWE universe. Friday Night SmackDown is renowned for its action-packed matches, larger-than-life personalities, and unexpected twists and turns. Whether you are a die-hard WWE fan or just looking for an exciting night out, you won't want to miss this incredible event.
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K92.3’s All Star Jam is returning to Addition Financial Arena for its 30th annual concert celebration this Sunday, August 17 at 7:30pm, and tickets are on sale now! The 30th Annual All Star Jam will feature eight Country musical performances by: Kane Brown, Brett Young, Chris Lane, Locash, Michael Ray, Raelynn, Mark Wills and Chad Brock.
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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.
| | GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel participated in a panel discussion for 'Good Morning Seminole' at the Lake Mary Events Center, pictured with GO Sports board member Rebekah Arthur (Seminole County Chamber), Robert Agrusa (CFHLA), and our friends from AdventHealth. | | GO Sports Director Jordan Lyda attended the FYSA Annual General Meetings at the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld, pictured with Orange County Commissioner Mike Scott, GO Sports board member Joel Dragan (FYSA), and Chris Waugh (FYSA). | | The GO Sports team, along with Chairman Caesar Lopez (Orlando City SC, Orlando Pride), Jon Hughes (Track Shack), Tom Tschopp, and Jill Cohen (The Lifeboat Project), celebrated our longtime CFO Gary Cohen's retirement. | | GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel and Executive VPs Brent Nelson and Michael Kalinich presented former CFO Gary Cohen with a gift from the GO Sports team at his retirement celebration. | | GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel gave a presentation to the Rotary Club of Lake Buena Vista at Wyndham Disney Springs, pictured with Keith Wolling (Rotary Club of Lake Buena Vista). | | GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel pictured with Brian Walkup, Ph.D. & Dr. Koray Simsek (Rollins College) following a presentation to the Crummer Graduate School of Business from Jeff Vahle (Walt Disney World). | | Corporate Partner Spotlight. | | |
GO Sports is proud to welcome our newest corporate partner, i-Tech Support! For more information, click the logo above.
Thank you for supporting sports tourism in Greater Orlando!
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