Interoffice Memorandum
DATE: October 2, 2025
TO: Mayor Jerry L. Demings and County Commissioners
THROUGH: N/A
FROM: Ray Walls, Deputy Director, OCCC
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) $250,000 for one match or $400,000 for two matches to Florida Citrus Sports to be used as bid fees for the FC Series - January 2026; (2) $1,000,000 for two matches to Florida Citrus Sports to be used as bid fees for the International Soccer Friendly with the bid fees not to exceed $700,000 for any one of the matches - March 2026 and June 2026; (3) $15,000 total ($5,000 annually) to the Greater Orlando Sports Commission to be used as bid fees for the Arnold Palmer Invitational Junior golf tournament - 2026-2028; (4) $5,000 to the Greater Orlando Sports Commission to be used as bid fees for the Who Runs Florida State Championship flag football tournament - December 2025. (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 September 22, 2025 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.
FC Series - January 2026
The SIC recommended approval of Florida Citrus Sports’ request of bid fees in the amount $250,000 for one match or $400,000 for two matches featuring elite Brazilian soccer clubs at Inter & Co Stadium as part of its FC Series. The matches will be staged between January 11 and January 26, 2026. The events are projected to attract more than 33,000 attendees, generate over 10,000 room nights per match, and deliver an estimated economic impact of $10 to15 million each match.
International Soccer Friendly - March 2026 and June 2026
The SIC recommended approval of Florida Citrus Sports’ request of bid fees not to exceed$1,000,000 for two matches showcasing an independent international soccer friendly between major national teams from South America and Europe at Camping World Stadium in March 2026 and June 2026. The SIC further recommended that the max bid fee for either one of the matches be $700,000, which would leave up to $300,000 for the other. These matches would be a lead up to the 2026 World Cup tournament. The event is projected to draw more than 42,000 fans to each match, generate up to approximately 24,000 room nights per match, and deliver an economic impact of $26 million per match.
Arnold Palmer Invitational Junior - 2026-2028
The SIC recommended approval of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission’s request of $5,000 annually for three years, for a total of $15,000, to be used as bid fees for the Arnold Palmer Invitational Junior staged by the American Junior Golf Association at Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge. The annual tournament will feature the top junior golfers from around the world, generate approximately 300 room nights per year, and deliver an economic impact of about $200,000 per year.
Who Runs Florida State Championship - December 2025
The SIC recommended approval of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission’s request of $5,000 to be used as bid fees for the inaugural Who Runs Florida State Championship. The inaugural boys and girls youth amateur flag football tournament, owned and operated by BNA Sports, is scheduled to be at held at the University of Central Florida over the dates of December 13 and14, 2025. The two-day boys and girls amateur flag football event is projected to attract approximately 4,000 combined attendees, including 1,500 unique participants and coaches (900 non-local). It is forecasted to generate 500 room nights in Orange County and an estimated $500,000 in economic impact.
BUDGET: N/A