Interoffice Memorandum
DATE: November 19, 2025
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) $46,000 per game, for a total amount of $92,000, to Florida Citrus Sports to be used as bid fees for two Banana Ball league games in May 2026 contingent upon the teams residing in overnight accommodations in Orange County; (2) $180,000 to Florida Citrus Sports to be used as bid fees for the Savannah Bananas game in February 2028; (3) $1,200,000 in 2026 and $800,000 per year from 2027 through 2035, for a total amount of $8,400,000, to the Greater Orlando Sports Commission to be used as bid fees for the AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships during summer 2026 through 2035; (4) Up to $5,000,000 to the Greater Orlando Sports Commission to be used as bid fees for the 2027 FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Championship in August 2027 contingent upon the US Women’s Volleyball team being selected to play in Orlando; (5) $225,000 to the Greater Orlando Sports Commission to be used as bid fees for the NXT Finals in July 2026; (6) $10,000 per year, for a total of $30,000, to the Greater Orlando Sports Commission to be used as bid fees for the AAU Easter Classic during March/April 2026 through 2028; (7) $15,000 per year, for a total of $45,000, to the Greater Orlando Sports Commission to be used as bid fees for the AAU Memorial Day Classic during May 2026 through 2028; and (8) $7,000 to the Greater Orlando Sports Commission to be used as venue rental support for the 2026 USA Climbing YETI National Championships in February 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 November 17, 2025 meeting, the SIC recommended approval of eight 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.
Banana Ball in Orlando - May 2026
The SIC recommended approval of Florida Citrus Sports’ request for $46,000 per game, for a total of $92,000 as bid fees to host two Banana Ball Championship League games in May 2026 at ESPN Wide World of Sports contingent upon the teams residing in overnight accommodations in Orange County. The event will feature teams from the Savannah Bananas’ new professional Banana Ball league, including the Party Animals. The games are projected to attract more than 20,000 in attendance, generating over 3,200 room nights and an estimated $6.2 million in economic impact.
Banana Ball in Orlando - February 2028
The SIC recommended approval of Florida Citrus Sports’ request for $180,000 as bid fees to host a Banana Ball Championship League game in February 2028 at Camping World Stadium. The game will feature the Savannah Bananas and another team from the league. It is projected to draw 60,000 attendees, generate approximately 14,000 room nights, and deliver an estimated $27.3 million in economic impact.
2026-2035 AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships
The SIC recommended approval of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission’s request for $1,200,000 in 2026 and $800,000 per year from 2027 through 2035, for a total amount of $8,400,000 as bid fees to retain the AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships for a 10-year term. The additional $400,000 in 2026 is to offset additional rental fees due to limitations on available space at the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC). The event, which is the largest youth volleyball tournament in the world, will be staged at the OCCC. Combined attendance is approximately 1,100,000 each year with 260,000 room nights and an economic impact of approximately $285 million.
2027 FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Championship
The SIC recommended approval of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission’s request for up to $5,000,000 as bid fees to host the 2027 FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Championship at the Kia Center in August 2027 contingent upon the US Women’s Volleyball team being selected to play in Orlando. The FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Championship is held every two years and is the most significant volleyball event staged outside of the Olympics. The top three finishing teams in this tournament will qualify for the LA28 Olympics. Total combined attendance for the matches is estimated at 60,000 - 70,000, with 15,000 - 20,000 room nights, and an economic impact in the range of $15 million - $20 million.
2026 NXT Finals
The SIC recommended approval of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission’s request for $225,000 as bid fees to host the NXT Finals from July 23 through 26, 2026 at the OCCC. The event is the culminating national championship for NXTPRO, a youth basketball circuit supported by PUMA Basketball. The event projects approximately 90,000 in total attendance, 20,000 room nights, and an estimated $20 million in economic impact.
2026-2028 AAU Easter Classic
The SIC recommended approval of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission’s request for $10,000 per year, for a total amount of $30,000, as bid fees to host the AAU Easter Classic over three years beginning in 2026. The tournament attracts the top boys and girls youth basketball teams from across the southeast and will be held at the OCCC and the Game Point Event Center in Orlando. Combined attendance is projected at 13,500 annually, generating approximately 1,800 room nights and approximately $1 million in economic impact.
2026-2028 AAU Memorial Day Classic
The SIC recommended approval of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission’s request for $15,000 per year, for a total amount of $45,000, as bid fees to host the AAU Memorial Day Classic at ESPN Wide World of Sports and the OCCC in May 2026 through 2028. The youth basketball tournament hosts boys and girls youth basketball teams from across the county. The event projects 13,000 attendees annually, 1,500 room nights, and an economic impact of $1.5 million per year.
2026 USA Climbing YETI National Championships
The SIC recommended approval of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission’s request for $7,000 to be used for venue rental to host the 2026 USA Climbing YETI National Championships from February 11 through 15, 2026 at High Point Climbing & Fitness in Orlando. This event marks the first USA Climbing National Championship to be held in Florida and will serve as a key qualifier for national team selection. It is projected to attract 4,000 total attendees, generate 750 room nights, and produce an estimated $1 million in economic impact.
BUDGET: N/A