Interoffice Memorandum
DATE: February 2, 2026
TO: Mayor Jerry L. Demings and County Commissioners
THROUGH: N/A
FROM: Ray Walls, Deputy Director, Orange County Convention Center
CONTACT: Ray Walls
PHONE: 407-685-5684
DIVISION: Fiscal and Operational Support Division
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Approval of the Tourist Development Tax Sports Incentive Committee’s recommendations for sports incentive funding pursuant to the terms and conditions of funding agreements between Visit Orlando and the following applicants and authorization for Visit Orlando to enter into such agreements as follows: (1) $25,000 per year, for a total amount of $75,000, to the Greater Orlando Sports Commission to be used as bid fees for the 2026-2028 AAU Boys Basketball World Championships; (2) $50,000 to the Greater Orlando Sports Commission to be used as bid fees for the National Veterans Wheelchair Games in July 2027; (3) Not to exceed amount of $75,000 to the Greater Orlando Sports Commission to offset venue rental and contract labor expenses for the 2026 USA Rugby October Doubleheader on October 31, 2026; and (4) $7,500 to the Greater Orlando Sports Commission to offset venue rental expenses for the USA Diving East National Championships in June 2026. (Fiscal and Operational Support Division)
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PROJECT: Sports Incentive Committee Funding Requests
PURPOSE: On November 1, 2016, the Board authorized consolidated sports funding under the tourist development plan for incentivizing sporting events in Orange County venues. Since 2017, Visit Orlando has provided professional assistance in evaluating sports incentive funding proposals before the Tourist Development Tax Sports Incentive Committee (SIC). Sports incentive funds are held in a separate Visit Orlando account. On October 22, 2019, the Board approved a new tourism promotion agreement pursuant to which Visit Orlando will now administer both the evaluation of proposals and enter into funding agreements with applicants after the SIC funding recommendations have been approved by the Board. On May 21, 2024, the Board approved an amendment to the 2019 agreement with Visit Orlando whereby Visit Orlando will fund up to $10 million annually for incentivizing sporting events as part of this program and allowing that amount to grow in fiscal year 2028 based on increasing Tourist Development Tax collections.
At its January 26, 2026 meeting, the SIC recommended approval of four funding requests after hearing presentations from the respective applicants. Visit Orlando’s staff also provided an evaluation of the proposals for consideration by the SIC.
2026-2028 AAU Boys Basketball World Championships
The SIC recommended approval of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission’s (GOSC) request for $25,000 per year, for a total amount of $75,000 as bid fees to host the AAU Boys Basketball World Championships in July of 2026-2028. The events will be held across three venues - the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC), ESPN Wide World of Sports, and Game Point Event Center - and will feature youth basketball teams from 30 states composed of boys 19 years old and under to 7 years old and under. The games are projected to attract more than 22,000 in attendance each year, generating over 3,000 room nights and an estimated $3.5 million in economic impact annually.
National Veterans Wheelchair Games - July 2027
The SIC recommended approval of GOSC’s request for $50,000 as bid fees to host the National Veterans Wheelchair Games at the OCCC and various other Orange County venues. The games, presented by the Department of Veterans Affairs and Paralyzed Veterans of America, will include 22 events and is open to all male and female US veterans with spinal cord injuries, amputations, multiple sclerosis, or other central neurological conditions that require a wheelchair for athletic competition. The event is projected to draw 13,000 in combined attendance, generate approximately 5,500 room nights, and deliver an estimated $6.0 million in economic impact.
2026 USA Rugby October Doubleheader
The SIC recommended approval of GOSC’s request for an amount not exceed $75,000 to offset venue rental and contract labor expenses for the 2026 USA Rugby October Doubleheader to be held on October 31, 2026 at Inter&Co Stadium. The event will feature the US Men’s and US Women’s National teams competing against top international competition, including the reigning Women’s Rugby World Cup Champion England, and either New Zealand Maori All Blacks or the English national team on the men’s side. Combined attendance is estimated at 20,000, with 5,500 room nights, and an economic impact of approximately $5.0 million.
USA Diving East National Championships - June 2026
The SIC recommended approval of the GOSC’s request of 7,500 for venue rental expenses to host the USA Diving East National Championships at the Rosen Aquatic and Fitness Center in June 2026. The event will feature junior divisions of boys and girls from across the country with ages ranging from 11 to 18 competing in three different diving disciplines. Total combined attendance is estimated at 3,000, with 900 room nights, and an economic impact in the range of $750,000.
BUDGET: N/A