Impact Update for Thursday, October 9

"We’re proud to welcome the UFL to Inter&Co Stadium as part of our ongoing commitment to delivering world-class events to our fans and the Central Florida community. With over 750,000 visitors last year, Inter&Co Stadium continues to build on its role as a key driver of economic growth in our region, while reinforcing Orlando’s status as one of the best places for sporting events in the nation."

-Jarrod Dillon

President of Business Operations

Orlando City SC, Orlando Pride and Inter&Co Stadium

Quote of the Day

"Adversity causes some men to break; others to break records."

-William Arthur Ward

American Writer

Across the Board (Of Directors)

• Congratulations to Greater Orlando Sports Commission Board Members Tim Giuliani (Orlando Economic Partnership), Steve Hogan (Florida Citrus Sports) and Garry Jones (Full Sail University) on being named to Orlando Magazine's 50 Most Powerful list.
• Congratulations to Board Members Karim Arja (One Florida Bank), Vinny D'Assaro (Comprehensive Energy Services), Kolleen Hogan (NextPath Career Partners) and Adam Scheinberg (Massey Services) on their organizations being named to Orlando Business Journal's Fast 50 and Golden 100 lists.

Around The Horn

• Inter&Co Stadium and the United Football League have announced a multi-year partnership that will see the Downtown Orlando venue become the home of the newly unveiled Orlando Storm franchise. The Orlando Storm will play its home regular season games at Inter&Co Stadium during the 2026 season, which kicks off on Friday, March 27. The full 43-game UFL schedule will be announced at a later date. As part of the partnership, Orlando City SC and Orlando Pride season ticket members will receive priority access to Orlando Storm tickets.
• The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), Walt Disney World Resort and Arnold Palmer Golf Management have announced the return of the MAAC Men’s and Women’s Golf Championships at Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course in Lake Buena Vista, Florida in 2026. In 2026, the MAAC will unveil a new championship format, separating the men’s and women’s championships for the first time in conference history.
• The NFL plans to launch women's and men's professional flag football leagues "in the next couple of years," according to Commissioner Roger Goodell. The timeline outlined by Goodell at a sports conference in London would see the leagues created ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, which will feature flag football for the first time. The league has prioritized flag football as a way to attract young fans, both male and female.
• The Orlando Magic traveled to San Juan, Puerto Rico for their first NBA preseason game and defeated the Miami Heat 126-118 at Coliseo de Puerto Rico on Saturday night. The Magic (1-0) outrebounded the Heat 58-40 to finish with a 43-15 advantage in second-chance scoring, and rookie first-round pick Jase Richardson led the team with 13 points. Orlando will now return to the United States and travel to Philadelphia for their second preseason game this Friday, Oct. 10 at 7:00pm.
• Orlando City SC defender Alex Freeman has been named to Major League Soccer’s prestigious 22 Under 22 list, recognizing the league’s top young talent. The 21-year-old right back has had a standout season, making 25 starts in 28 MLS appearances for the Lions, and 32 starts in 36 matches across all competitions. Freeman has scored six goals and provided two assists in league play, along with three additional assists in other competitions.
• The Orlando Pride wrapped up the longest road trip in club history by securing a 1-1 draw against the Houston Dash on Friday night. The result marked the final leg of a 10-day stretch that saw the Pride travel over 4,000 miles across three consecutive road matches in all competitions. The Pride (9-8-5, 32 points) will return home to Inter&Co Stadium this Friday, Oct. 10 to host the Portland Thorns at 8:00pm.
• UCF Football will travel to Nippert Stadium to face the Cincinnati Bearcats in a Big 12 conference matchup this Saturday, Oct. 11 at 12:00pm. The Knights (3-2, 0-2 Big 12) are currently averaging 31.8 points and 425 yards per game.
• The Orlando Solar Bears have announced the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League (AHL) have loaned forwards Spencer Kersten and Reece Newkirk and defenseman Chris Harpur to the Orlando Solar Bears. Syracuse has also released goaltender Ethan Langenegger from a professional tryout contract and returned him to the Solar Bears.
• The Orlando Valkyries are proudly represented at the 2025 Athletes Unlimited Pro Volleyball Championship by Brittany Abercrombie and Pornpun Guedpard. Following the opening week of competition, Abercrombie sits at 15th overall, while Guedpard ranks 33rd among the 44 top volleyball players competing in the league. The Athletes Unlimited Pro Volleyball Championship uses a unique scoring format that rewards both team success and individual performance. Each week, athletes earn points for set and match victories as well as personal stats.

The U.S. Women's National Team is coming back to Orlando! On Friday, Nov. 28, the four-time World Cup champions will face Italy in an international friendly match presented by The Home Depot at Inter&Co Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:00pm and will be broadcast on TNT, Max, Universo, Peacock, and Westwood One Sports.

Don't miss your chance to witness international soccer right here in Orlando, click the button below to purchase your tickets today!

Around Town

• The Orange County Board of County Commissioners has approved the construction of a new Orange County Animal Services (OCAS) shelter, awarding the contract to The Collage Companies for $49 million. At an estimated 123,419 square feet, the new shelter is projected to be the state’s largest, with housing for some 265 dogs and 200 cats. The new shelter will be two floors, with dogs housed on the first floor and cats on the second floor, with the entire building air-conditioned. The project is expected to be complete in the summer of 2027.
• Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer has selected Camara Gaither as the third Orlando Poet Laureate who will serve as a prominent fixture in the City’s cultural and literary arts communities, promoting poetry and literature among residents and visitors. As the City’s official storyteller, Camara will present original poems at City events and youth activities to inspire emerging generations of literary artists and poets. Orlando’s Poet Laureate selection process was conducted by the city’s Office of Community Affairs in partnership with United Arts of Central Florida.
• The Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) is set to have a record business year in 2026—in the range of $5 billion—and leaders don't see it being affected by its ongoing expansion, according to Orlando Business Journal. There are currently 185 events, totaling an estimated 2.3 million attendees, booked from now until next October. That activity amounts to the expected $5 billion boost for the area. In comparison, the fiscal year 2024 season saw 184 events and 2 million attendees for an estimated economic impact of $4.6 billion.
• The Orange County Board of County Commissioners approved a $5 million funding agreement with the City of Orlando to help support the construction of a permanent memorial to commemorate the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting. The City of Orlando estimates the memorial’s design and construction will cost roughly $12 million total and should be complete by the second half of 2027. The city chose Winter Park design firm Gomez Construction Co. to oversee construction plans for the memorial.
• Brightline has announced a series of operational changes designed to optimize the guest experience and respond to evolving ridership patterns. The updates follow two years of full-service operations across the state and are based on extensive guest feedback and data analysis. For travelers going between South and Central Florida, Brightline will deploy longer 8-coach trains during peak travel periods. Those trains will grow to 10-coach trains before the year’s end to accommodate the growth in demand from travelers heading to and from Central Florida.
• Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has named a local hotel to be its first property under a new brand designed to welcome more independent operators, according to Orlando Business Journal. Wyndham’s new Dazzler Select brand, a “budget-boutique” line, announced the 170-room Magic Moment Resort & Kids Club at 5200 West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway in Kissimmee would carry its new brand described to empower owners to preserve the individuality, branding, and character of their hotels.
• The Orange County School Board voted to approve a proposed agreement to transfer the historic Hungerford property in Eatonville to Dr. Phillips Charities. With the OCPS approval of the land agreement, the Town of Eatonville will now move forward with adopting its resident-designed master plan that centers on cultural preservation, green space, affordable housing, healthcare, education, and long-term economic development. Dr. Phillips Charities plans to pay $1 million of the negotiated amount upfront to the Orange County School Board.

All Around

• The 52nd annual Winter Park Autumn Art Festival will return to Park Avenue and Central Park this weekend from Saturday, Oct. 11 to Sunday, Oct. 12. More than 180 Florida-based artists will come together to showcase ceramics, digital art, drawing, fiber, fine crafts, jewelry, paintings, photography, sculpture and mixed media. The festival is presented by the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce and includes live entertainment, sponsor tents, children's activities, food offerings and adult beverages.
• The annual Downtown Orlando Field Day presented by AdventHealth returns to the Seneff Arts Plaza on Thursday, Nov. 6 at 2:00pm. Grab your team and gear up for the most epic day of fun, games, and friendly competition in the heart of the City Beautiful! Join City District's annual fundraiser as 50 teams go head-to-head in classic throwback field games, culminating in the ultimate test of strength and spirit: the Tug-of-War Grand Finale.
• Universal Orlando has officially unveiled its 2025 holiday lineup, featuring returning favorites and festive additions expanding into the new Epic Universe. Guests can enjoy Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s, “The Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular,” and “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle,” along with new experiences like the Who-ville Tree Lot and Celestial Park’s first holiday celebration. All festivities are included with regular admission and will run daily through Sunday, Jan. 4.
• Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween continues at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom and runs on select nights through Friday, Oct. 31. The evenings are filled with returning favorites such as Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade, a fireworks and lasers presentation, and park-wide trick-or-treating. Ticket prices vary with dates and range between $119 and $229 per night, and ticket holders can get entry to Magic Kingdom at 4:00pm.
• SeaWorld Orlando's Halloween Spooktacular is back with fun surprises, candy, costumes and more. Children and guests can enjoy trick-or-treating during this daytime event as they explore the decorated trail and meet colorful characters. SeaWorld Spooktacular runs on select dates until Sunday, Nov. 2.
• Gatorland's 7th annual Gators, Ghosts and Goblins returns once again and will run from Saturday, Oct. 11 to Sunday, Oct. 26. The family-friendly, fun-and-frights celebration features spooky scenes, chilling ghouls, a haunted theater, children’s Halloween activities and animal meet-n-greets.
• Dancing With The Stars Live has announced a 74-date tour across North America, including a stop at Addition Financial Arena on Friday, March 6 at 7:30pm. After a sold-out tour earlier this year, DWTS returns in 2026 with a brand-new live show. This year’s stage spectacular will feature fan-favorite professional dancers from the #1 hit television series in a mix of standout routines from DWTS’ record-breaking Season 34. Tickets go on sale this Friday, Oct. 10 at 10:00am EST.
• 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 spoke at the Orlando Storm UFL press conference at Inter&Co Stadium, joining Florida Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, league owner Mike Repole, Russ Brandon (UFL), and Jarrod Dillon (Orlando City SC, Orlando Pride) on stage for the announcement.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel served as moderator for the American Diabetes Association's Tour de Cure Executive Breakfast, pictured alongside ADA Executive Director Kimberly Wade, Justin Avery (KPMG) and Kevin Poole (AdventHealth).

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel, VP Lindsey McBride and Coordinators Carter Gravitte and Jordan Henderson pictured with board members and corporate partners at the GO Sports October board meeting.

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

GO Sports Executive VP Jennifer Lastik, VP Kyle Sturley and Coordinator Carter Gravitte connected with Board Chairman Caesar Lopez (Orlando City SC, Orlando Pride) during the Orlando Storm UFL press conference at Inter&Co Stadium.

The GO Sports team gathered at The Boheme restaurant to celebrate Director Elizabeth Caldarelli with a going-away lunch, recognizing her outstanding contributions and dedication to the organization. Wishing Elizabeth all the best in her new role!

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel and his wife Sarah Grafton alongside Troy McNichols (AT&T) and Mara Frazier (Danaher Corporation) at the iDignity 'Souper Douper' fundraising event.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel and his wife Sarah Grafton showed support at the Kids Beating Cancer 'Hats & Heroes' Gala, pictured with Will Grafton (Grafton Wealth).

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel welcomed industry executives and international heads of sport for dinner during the annual Leaders Week conference in London.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel pictured with board members Jesse Martinez (Clean Tec Outsourcing) and Suzanne Gilbert (Holland & Knight) at SeaWorld Orlando's Sharks Underwater Grill for the GO Sports board meeting.

GO Sports Executive VP Jennifer Lastik attended the Orlando Storm UFL team announcement at Inter&Co Stadium, joining community and industry leaders including Kelly Hyne (Orlando City SC, Orlando Pride), Jill Vaughn (Downtown Orlando Partnership), Ross Wolf (UCF), and GO Sports board members Joe Ferst (Hotwire) and Anne-Marie Hayward (Orlando Business Journal).

GO Sports Director Jordan Lyda attended the AAU Leadership Conference Reception & Welcome Dinner, pictured with AAU President Jo Mirza and Director of Volleyball Joe Jablonski.

Corporate Partner Spotlight.

GO Sports is proud to welcome our newest corporate partners, Noodles & Company and SEC Worldwide! For more information, click the logos above.

Thank you for supporting sports tourism in Greater Orlando!

Fun & Games.

• Visit Orlando: Halloween Event Guide
• Orlando Sentinel: Upcoming Events in Orlando
• Orlando Weekly: Events in Orlando this Weekend
• Visit Orlando: Budget-friendly Orlando - 30+ Things to Do for $30 or Less