Impact Update for Thursday, May 8

Both the Orlando Solar Bears and Orlando Valkyries are competing in their respective playoffs this week, and they need your support! The Solar Bears will host the Florida Everblades for Game 4 of the South Division Finals this Friday, May 9 at 7:00pm in Kia Center. Tickets for the Solar Bears 2025 Playoffs can be purchased via Ticketmaster. Across the country in Las Vegas, the Valkyries will also compete this Friday, May 9 against the Atlanta Vibe in the single elimination semifinal match, with first serve slated for 10:30pm and being broadcast on CBS Sports Network.

Quote of the Day.

"Always make a total effort, even when the odds are against you."

-Arnold Palmer

PGA Tour Legend

Around The Horn.

• Both the Orlando Solar Bears and Orlando Valkyries are competing in their respective playoffs this week, and they need your support! The Solar Bears will host the Florida Everblades for Game 4 of the South Division Finals this Friday, May 9 at 7:00pm in Kia Center. Across the country in Las Vegas, the Valkyries will also compete this Friday, May 9 against the Atlanta Vibe in the single elimination semifinal match, with first serve slated for 10:30pm and being broadcast on CBS Sports Network.
• Orlando City SC defeated the Tampa Bay Rowdies 5-0 on Wednesday night in the Round of 32 of the 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. With the win, the Lions advanced to the Round of 16 in the tournament and remain unbeaten all time against the Rowdies with a perfect 8-0-0 record. The Lions (4-2-5, 17 points) will return home to Inter&Co Stadium next for a showdown with the New England Revolution this Saturday, May 10 at 7:30pm.
• The Orlando Pride (5-2-0, 15 points) will hit the road once again as they will travel to First Horizon Stadium to take on the North Carolina Courage this Saturday, May 10 at 7:30pm. Saturday night’s match saw defender Kerry Abello play in her 50th straight match for the Pride, becoming the first player in Club history to play in 50 straight matches.
• The Orlando Squeeze won their match against the Chicago Slice 3-1 on Sunday at the MLP Columbus tournament. The Squeeze (7-2) have moved into first place of the MLP standings following the victory, and the team will look to continue this trend as they travel to Texas for the MLP Austin tournament from Friday, May 23 - Monday, May 26.
• The NCAA Division II Men's Golf South/Southeast Regional tees off at Mission Resort + Club today and will continue through Saturday, May 10. Experience the competition live as 20 teams and 8 individuals battle for a coveted spot in the 2025 NCAA DII Men's Golf Championships. Admission is free and the tournament is open to the public.
• More than 100 million people traveled more than 50 miles to attend professional, minor league, and collegiate regular-season sporting events in the United States last year, generating $47.1 billion in direct economic impact, according to results of new research commissioned by Sports ETA. The research marks the first time the economic impact of people traveling as spectators to those sporting events has been recorded. The survey concluded that 109.7 million people traveled to these sporting events in the past year, including 63.5 million who spent the night.

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.

In addition to Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute returning as the presenting sponsor, Florida Blue is returning as the sponsor of the fireside chat with featured speaker, Misty May-Treanor. Last year’s luncheon sold out with more than 725 guests in attendance.

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.

• The TODAY Show is coming to Orlando and will be filming Universal’s Epic Universe for their grand opening during a four-hour live broadcast on Wednesday, May 21. Visit Orlando has also partnered with The TODAY Show for a dedicated third hour segment to air on Thursday, May 22 at 9:00am. The segment will focus on Orlando beyond the parks—including our award-winning dining, vibrant arts and culture, ecotourism and diverse neighborhoods.
• Congratulations to GO Sports board member Tekoa Pouerie for being named the new President & CEO of The Sharing Center! Tekoa brings nearly 20 years of executive nonprofit leadership to The Sharing Center, which is Seminole County's largest and most comprehensive social services hub, and she will guide the organization into an exciting new chapter with the development of The Sharing Commons workforce attainable housing community.
• Full Sail University has been named to Variety’s 2025 Education Impact Report, spotlighting established schools and rising stars in the film and television sector. Full Sail's Film & Television programs were recognized alongside national and international universities, including Columbia University, Vancouver Film School, Syracuse University, Emerson College, and more.
• The Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission unanimously agreed to conduct a key $6 million study that will look into the feasibility of the proposed Sunshine Corridor, a SunRail extension from the Orlando International Airport to the Orange County Convention Center and the theme park district. The two-year study would delve into the projected ridership of the Sunshine Corridor, the system’s maintenance, operational costs, environmental impacts, station locations and exact routes.
• Two new congestion relief lanes officially opened on Monday, running 6.1 miles in each direction of I-4 from east of U.S. 27 in Polk County to World Drive near Disney Springs. The opening of the lanes — eight months ahead of the previous schedule — signifies the start of a larger $2.5 billion project that aims to add express lanes, widen shoulders and improve interchanges on I-4.
• The Florida Department of Education released the 2023-24 graduation rates for the state, school districts and high schools. The Orange County Public Schools district's average graduation rate among its 22 traditional high schools is 96%, which continues to outpace the state’s 89.7% average. The graduation rate of all Orange County Public Schools, which includes both traditional and charter schools, is 89.3%, a .2% point increase from 2022-23.
• United Parks & Resorts, parent company of SeaWorld Orlando theme park, is looking to fill more than 5,000 jobs across the country. It is planning a "summer hiring event" for May 5-9, the company announced Monday. There are full-time, part-time and seasonal positions in the mix, including jobs at SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica water park, Discovery Cove day resort and United corporate offices in Orlando and Miami.

Orlando Health Senior Director of Sports Partnerships Ultima Espino was interviewed by Julia Pugachevsky of Business Insider to discuss her difficult journey leading up to the discovery of four spinal fractures caused by a rare condition called pregnancy and lactation-associated osteoporosis (PLO), and why she now advocates for mothers to prioritize their health and seek medical help when something feels wrong.

All Around.

• Universal Orlando has expanded its previews for its new Epic Universe theme park to the general public. Tickets are currently on sale for dates through Monday, May 19. Previously, the official peeks at the attractions have been limited primarily to Universal employees, Universal Orlando hotel guests and the resort’s annual passholders ahead of Epic’s grand opening on Thursday, May 22. There are a limited number of preview tickets available and prices vary with the date, ranging from $144 to $154 per day.
• 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.
• SeaWorld Orlando has announced a limited-time sale on one-day tickets to its Howl-O-Scream event, which begins on Friday, Sept. 5. The deal — Howl-O-Scream admission for $39.99 when buying two or more tickets — ends this Sunday, May 11. The tickets are good for any Howl-O-Scream event night; there are no blackout dates.
• Mess Fest returns to the Orlando Science Center this Saturday and Sunday, May 10-11, and features science-based experiments and activities for all ages. Among the scheduled activities are Alka-rockets and marble art in the Mess Hall, goo-based art at the Slimebar, and a returning favorite called Foamsplosions. Mess Fest, which is included with regular science center admission, also includes an acrobatic show by WeFlip.
• Disney's The Lion King returns to the Walt Disney Theater in Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts TONIGHT, May 8 through Sunday, May 18. Winner of six Tony Awards®, including Best Musical, The Lion King brings together one of the most imaginative creative teams on Broadway. Tony Award®-winning director Julie Taymor brings to life a story filled with hope and adventure set against an amazing backdrop of stunning visuals.
• The Orange County Library System will host its annual Orlando Book Festival on Saturday, May 17, featuring a day-long celebration of literature at the Orlando Public Library's Central Branch from 10:00am to 5:00pm. The free event welcomes readers of all ages and includes author panels, writing workshops, and literary organization tables from across Central Florida.
• 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.
• 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.

The GO Sports team attended Downtown Orlando Partnership's Golden Brick Awards and won Sporting Event of the Year for efforts related to the U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Marathon, pictured with GO Sports Chair Elect Tammy Gustafson (Universal Destinations & Experiences) and board member Allen Johnson (Orlando Venues).

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel attended a preview of Universal's new Epic Universe theme park set to debut on May 22 of this year, pictured with Commissioner Mike Scott (Orange County), and John McReynolds and Melanie Becker (Universal Destinations & Experiences).

The GO Sports team attended Visit Orlando's Travel & Tourism Luncheon at the Orange County Convention Center. Visit Orlando announced a record-breaking 75,333,800 visitors came to Orlando in 2024.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel attended the DOP Golden Brick Awards at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, pictured with Commissioner Jim Gray (City of Orlando), Commissioner Robert Stuart (City of Orlando), GO Sports board member Allen Johnson (Orlando Venues), Heather Fagan (City of Orlando) and Brooke Bonnett (City of Orlando).

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel pictured at Full Sail University with GO Sports board member John Saboor (Full Sail University), Oscar Sanchez (FIFA) and Andres Turcios (Reel Life Studio).

GO Sports Director Jordan Lyda attended Florida Region of USA Volleyball's annual awards ceremony, pictured with GO Sports board member Kurt Esser (Florida Region of USA Volleyball).

GO Sports Executive VP Michael Kalinich attended the Visit Orlando Travel & Tourism event, pictured with board member Chris Mueller (Hilton Orlando) and partners from Walt Disney World.

GO Sports COO Jennifer Lastik attended the WISE Greater Orlando Mentor Program launch breakfast, pictured with members of WISE Greater Orlando.

GO Sports CFO Gary Cohen presented at the Tourist Intelligence Crime Meeting at Rosen Shingle Creek, pictured with Frederico Caldas (FIFA) and Master Deputy Jim Bridges (Orange County Sheriff's Office).

GO Sports Executive VP Brent Nelson in Lausanne, Switzerland, pictured with Nathalie Cleric (Sport Accord).

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