Interoffice Memorandum
DATE: July 30, 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) $100,000 per year, up to $300,000 total, to Greater Orlando Sports Commission to be used as bid fees for the 2026-2028 Naismith Hall of Fame Orlando College Basketball Doubleheader to be held in December each of the three years, with funding in the second and third years contingent upon confirmation of at least 5,000 room nights generated in the prior year; (2) Up to $3,000,000 per year, for a total amount of up to $9,000,000, to Florida Citrus Sports to be used as bid fees for 2028-2030 College Football Kickoff Game in August or September of each of the three years, with the amount of the incentive for each year’s game determined as follows: $1,500,000 per team in the game in the top 25 of the three-year average of Nielsen viewership data, and $500,000 per team in the game in the top 50 of the three-year average of Nielsen viewership data; (3) $3,575,000 to Florida Citrus Sports to be used as bid fees and for marketing for the 2027-2031 Florida Blue Florida Classic to be held in November of each of the four years with the payment amounts allocated annually as follows: 2027 - $705,000, 2028 - $710,000, 2029 - $715,000, 2030 - $720,000, 2031 - $725,000; (4) $650,000 to Florida Citrus Sports to be used as bid fees for the 2028 and 2029 Pop Warner Super Bowl and Cheer and Dance National Championships to be held in December of each year with the payment amounts allocated as $320,000 in 2028 and $330,000 in 2029; and (5) $6,000 per year, for a total amount of $12,000, to Greater Orlando Sports Commission to be used to offset venue rental for the 2027 and 2028 MAAC Men’s and Women’s Golf Championships to be held in April of each year. (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 July 27, 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. Note that the SIC voted to reject a request for the 2027-2028 MAAC Men’s and Women’s Golf Championships and declined to make a recommendation for the 2027-2029 Atlantic 10 Men’s and Women’s Tennis Championship and the 2028 USA Basketball Men’s National Team Exhibition Games and Training Camp.
2026-2028 Naismith Hall of Fame Orlando College Basketball Doubleheader
The SIC recommended approval of Greater Orlando Sports Commission’s (GOSC) request at a modified amount of $100,000 per year, up to $300,000 total, for bid fees for the 2026-2028 Naismith Hall of Fame Orlando College Basketball Doubleheader to be held at the Kia Center in Orlando in December of each of the three years. Funding in the second and third years of the event is contingent upon confirmation of at least 5,000 room nights generated in the previous year. The inaugural event will be a premium neutral-site men’s college basketball double-header featuring nationally recognized men’s basketball programs. The 2026 edition is scheduled to include the Florida Gators vs. the Georgia Tech Yellowjackets, plus two other teams TBD in the second game of the doubleheader. Each year, the games are projected to attract 12,00-15,000 in combined attendance, generate 5,000-7,000 room nights, and produce an estimated $3 million to $5 million in economic impact.
2028-2030 College Football Kickoff Game
The SIC recommended approval of Florida Citrus Sports’ (FCS) request for up to $3,000,000 per year, for a total amount of up to $9,000,000, to be used as bid fees for the 2028-2030 College Football Kickoff Game to be held at Camping World Stadium in August or September of each of the three years. The amount of the incentive for each year’s game will be determined as follows: $1,500,000 per team in the game in the top 25 of the three-year average of Nielsen viewership data, and $500,000 per team in the game in the top 50 of the three-year average of Nielsen viewership data. The event, held in partnership with ESPN, is part of a series of major neutral site games in the opening weeks of the college football season. Annually, each game is projected to draw more than 60,000 attendees, generate approximately 55,000 room nights, and deliver an estimated $45 million in economic impact.
2027-2031 Florida Blue Florida Classic
The SIC recommended approval of FCS’ request of $3,575,000, allocated as 2027 - $705,000, 2028 - $710,000, 2029 - $715,000, 2030 - $720,000, and 2031 - $725,000, for bid fees and market expenses for the 2027-2031 Florida Blue Florida Classic to be held at Camping World Stadium in November of each of the four years. The Florida Blue Florida Classic, a college football game featuring Florida A&M University and Bethune-Cookman University, has been played annually since 1978 and hosted in Orlando every year since 1997. Each year, the game projected to attract more than 55,000 attendees, generate 30,000 room nights, and produce an estimated $26 million in economic impact.
2028 and 2029 Pop Warner Super Bowl and Cheer and Dance National Championships
The SIC recommended approval of FCS’ request of $650,000 and $320,000 in 2028 and $330,000 in 2029, to be used as bid fees for the 2028 and 2029 Pop Warner Super Bowl and Cheer and Dance National Championships to be held at Camping World Stadium and the Orange County Convention Center in December of both years. The event is one of the nation’s premiere youth sporting events consisting of 88 youth football teams from 9 through 14 years of age, and 550 cheer and dance teams, all competing over four days. Annually, the event is projected to draw about 20,000 attendees, generate approximately 25,000 room nights, and deliver an estimated $35 million in economic impact.
2027 and 2028 MAAC Men’s and Women’s Golf Championships
The SIC recommended approval of GSOC’s request of $6,000 per year, for a total amount of $12,000 to offset venue rental for the 2027 & 2028 MAAC Men’s and Women’s Golf Championships to be held at Magnolia Golf Course at the Walt Disney World Resort in April of both years. The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) college golf championships is an annual event that includes 10 women’s teams and 11 men’s teams competing for a season ending title. The winner from each championship gets an automatic bid to the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Golf Championships. Annually, the event is expected to attract 1,377 in combined attendance, generate nearly 700 room nights for athletes, coaches, and staff, and produce an economic impact of about $700,000.
BUDGET: N/A