Interoffice Memorandum
DATE: October 1, 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 recommendation for sports incentive funding pursuant to the terms and conditions of funding agreement between Visit Orlando and the following applicant and authorization for Visit Orlando to enter into such agreement as follows: Up to $1,500,000 to be used as bid fees for the 2027 FC Series International Soccer Friendly to be held in late July/early August 2027 with payment amount to be determined based on the value rankings of the two teams playing in the game as determined by Forbes. Payment shall be determined per each team’s Forbes value ranking as follows: Top 5, $750,000; 6-12, $500,000; 13-30, $250,000; Unranked, $100,000. (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 28, 2026 meeting, the SIC recommended approval of one funding request after hearing a presentation from the applicant. Visit Orlando’s staff also provided an evaluation of the proposal for consideration by the SIC.
2027 FC Series International Soccer Friendly
The SIC recommended approval of Florida Citrus Sports’ request of up to $1,500,000 for bid fees for the 2027 FC Series International Soccer Friendly to be held at Camping World Stadium in in late July/early August 2027 with payment amount to be determined based on the value rankings of the two teams playing in the game as determined by Forbes. Payment shall be determined per each team’s Forbes value ranking as follows: Top 5, $750,000; 6-12, $500,000; 13-30, $250,000; Unranked, $100,000. The annual event (except in certain years) is a sports and entertainment festival that brings international soccer teams to train and compete in a series of friendly matches in Orlando. The friendly match is anticipated to attract more than 60,000 attendees, generate at least 25,000 room nights, and result in an economic impact of approximately $35,000,000.
BUDGET: N/A