Interoffice Memorandum
DATE: May 20, 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:
title
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) $15,000 to Greater Orlando Sports Commission for marketing and promotion of the 2027 Orlando Baseball Classic in February 2027 and (2) $17,500 to Greater Orlando Sports Commission to be used to offset venue rental expenses for the 2027 USA Artistic Swimming Youth Championships & 12U Invitational to be held in April 2027. (Fiscal and Operational Support Division)
body
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 May 18, 2026 meeting, the SIC recommended approval of two 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.
2027 Orlando Baseball Classic - February 26 through February 28, 2027
By a 6-1 vote, the SIC recommended approval of Greater Orlando Sports Commission’s (GOSC) request in the amount of $15,000 for marketing and promotion expenses for the 2027 Baseball Classic on February 26 through February 28, 2027 at ESPN Wide World of Sports complex. The event will feature six Division I college baseball teams from various parts of the United States and will include the UCF Knights as one of the six teams. Three games will be played per day for a total of nine games. The games are projected to attract 8,500 in attendance, generate 1,500 room nights, and produce an estimated $2.5 million in economic impact.
2027 USA Artistic Swimming Youth Championships & 12U Invitational - April 22 through April 25, 2027
The SIC recommended approval of GOSC’s request in the amount of $17,500 to offset venue rental expenses to host the USA Artistic Swimming Youth Championships & 12U Invitational at the Rosen Aquatic & Fitness Center. The event is the premiere national championship where youth artistic swimmers from across the United States compete at the highest level and includes a component for emerging talent. It is projected to draw 3,700 attendees, generate approximately 1,200 room nights, and deliver an estimated $900,000 in economic impact.
BUDGET: N/A