Go Sports Announces Date And Opens Nominations For 2026 Sportys
ORLANDO, Fla. (March 12, 2026) – The Greater Orlando Sports Commission (GO Sports) has opened nominations and announced the date for the 2026 SPORTYS awards. With Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute returning as the presenting sponsor, the 2026 SPORTYS: Greater Orlando’s Night of Champions will be streamed on WKMG-TV’s website ClickOrlando.com and News 6+ streaming channel on Wednesday, June 17 at 7:00 p.m. EST. A live watch party and Sports Industry Reception will take place that evening in
Orlando Officially Enters Host City Candidate Process For Olympic Qualifier Series 2028
The Greater Orlando Sports Commission (GO Sports), alongside partners at the City of Orlando, Orlando Venues, Camping World Stadium, Orange County, Visit Orlando, and the State of Florida, are proud to announce that Orlando is a candidate to host the final stop in the Olympic Qualifier Series (OQS) 2028 leading up to the LA 2028 Olympic Games. The Olympic Qualifier Series 2028 is a six-sport event that was launched by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 2024. It marked a historic milestone as the
ECNL Extends Partnership with Greater Orlando Sports Commission and Seminole County, Adds New National Event to Central Florida Calendar
The Greater Orlando Sports Commission (GO Sports) and Seminole County are proud to announce that the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) will continue to bring premier youth soccer competition to Central Florida through an extended partnership that will maintain two ECNL Regional League (RL) events in Seminole County while introducing a new ECNL event to the destination beginning in December 2026. The ECNL Girls Regional League – Florida Event and ECNL Boys Regional League – Florida Event, which each
Orlando Selected to Host Climbing National Championships
USA Climbing will host its YETI Climbing National Championships from February 11–15 at High Point Climbing and Fitness in Orlando, FL. The country’s best climbers will be battling for national titles, points toward 2026 National Team selection, and $30,000 worth of prizes. "We're excited to bring the YETI Climbing National Championships to Orlando," said Marc Norman, President and CEO of USA Climbing. "This will be one of the most competitive athlete lineups we've seen in years, and we have no doubt that
Greater Orlando Sports Commission Board Of Directors Grows To 153 Members
ORLANDO, Fla. (January 22, 2026) – The Greater Orlando Sports Commission (GO Sports) has announced 29 incoming members to its Executive and Advisory Board of Directors, bringing the total to 153 board members. Incoming members will provide leadership and play a vital role in supporting GO Sports as the organization continues to foster collaboration on innovative ideas and advance its mission of bringing a dynamic calendar of sporting events to Central Florida. This team will offer strategic vision, expert
''Florida Has Everything It Needs To Host The 2040 Olympic Games''
The United States kicked off an exceptionally busy decade of sporting events this summer with the FIFA Club World Cup. Orlando took advantage of the opportunity to score points by hosting six matches, split between Camping World Stadium and Inter&Co Stadium. The Florida metropolis, known for its numerous theme parks, is now aiming to carve out a prominent place for itself on the international sporting scene and has its eye on a number of major events in the coming years: the FIVB Women's Volleyball
Two Orlando Venues Included In Official Bid Book For 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup
On the same day that our community welcomes the U.S. Women’s National Team to downtown Orlando, the Greater Orlando Sports Commission (GO Sports) is proud to share that both Camping World Stadium and Inter&Co Stadium have been included in U.S. Soccer’s official bid book submitted to FIFA as part of the joint U.S.–Mexico–Costa Rica–Jamaica joint effort to host the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup™. Camping World Stadium has hosted dozens of major soccer matches over the years, including four matches in the
Orlando and Kia Center Selected as a Host City for 2027 FIVB Women's Volleyball World Championship
GO Sports is excited to share that Orlando and the Kia Center have been selected as a host city for the 2027 FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Championship, contingent upon coming to terms with FIVB and USA Volleyball. This is the first time that Orlando will host an international Olympic qualifier – the top 32 teams in the world will participate, with three teams qualifying for the LA28 Summer Olympic Games. The event will be jointly hosted by the United States and Canada. The final rounds will be held at
Orlando Among 27 U.S. Cities Entering Men’s Rugby World Cup 2031 Host City Applicant Phase
World Rugby has confirmed that 27 cities and areas have formally entered the Applicant Phase of the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2031 Host Selection Process, marking a major milestone on the journey to the first-ever Rugby World Cup hosted in the U.S. The announcement was made at the United by Rugby Summit in Chicago, on the eve of the sold-out Ireland v New Zealand test match at Soldier Field, celebrating the continued rise of rugby in the U.S. and the sport’s growing global reach. Following the
Going For Gold: How Special Olympics Florida is Ready to Shine at the 2026 USA Games in Minnesota
As Chief Operating Officer at Special Olympics Florida, Meghan McLean has a formidable task preparing her team for the 2026 USA Games in Minnesota next summer. The travel squad will consist of roughly 165 athletes, 70 coaches and volunteers, along with support personnel. The number of athletes is literally the best of the best, given the scope of Special Olympics participation in Florida, which offers sports and opportunities for roughly 75,000 athletes. But McClean is fortunate to have the
Greater Orlando Sports Commission Partners with A.B. Newton & Company to Launch New Design Themes
The Greater Orlando Sports Commission (GO Sports) is proud to announce a new partnership with Winter Garden–based design studio A.B. Newton & Company, unveiling a fresh suite of graphic themes that will represent the Commission’s brand across local, regional, national, and international platforms. The collaboration reflects GO Sports’ commitment to showcasing Greater Orlando as one of the premier sports tourism destinations in the United States. A.B. Newton & Company, renowned for its bold, creative
Historic First: USA and Canada to Host 2027 FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Championships
The FIVB and Volleyball World announced two historic milestones for the Volleyball World Championships, with the Women’s 2027 edition set to be jointly staged by the USA and Canada, and Qatar awarded hosting rights for the Men’s 2029 competition. This marks the first time in history that a Volleyball World Championship will be staged in North America, setting the stage for an unforgettable celebration of the sport in the build-up to the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028. The final rounds of the
Lake Toho in Osceola County to Host Bassmaster as Part of 2026 College, High School and Junior Series Schedules
Young anglers will get the chance to fish some of the country’s most legendary bass fisheries and emerging trophy lakes as B.A.S.S. announces the 2026 Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series and Bassmaster Junior Series schedules. The College Series season will once again feature both the Legends Trail and the Lunkers Trail, spotlighting iconic lakes and big-bass waters while offering a pathway for youth and collegiate anglers to grow
Inter&Co Stadium Set to Host U.S. Women’s National Team in Friendly against Italy on Nov. 28
ORLANDO, Fla. (Sept. 15, 2025) — Inter&Co Stadium will host the U.S. Women’s National Team in a friendly against 2025 UEFA Women’s Euro semifinalists Italy on Friday, November 28, in a match presented by The Home Depot (7 p.m. ET on TNT and HBO Max in English, Universo and Peacock in Spanish and on the radio on the Westwood One Sports). “We couldn’t be more excited to welcome the U.S. Women’s National Team back to Inter&Co Stadium for what’s sure to be a thrilling match against Italy,” said Jarrod
Finding His Voice: Scott Lienard's Journey to the Mic
Many kids idolize sports heroes, dreaming of the day when they grow up to be the next Michael Jordan, Peyton Manning or Caitlin Clark. Scott Lienard harbored no such ambitions. But he was drawn to sports at a young age through the voices of the game. The announcers. He tuned into their cadence and pitch, at the ripe old age of 6. He was particularly smitten by Paul Porter, the longtime voice of the Orlando Magic. And he was hooked. “That's my guy,” Lienard says today. “Yeah, he started me down
August's Good Morning Seminole Kicks Off New Chamber Year Right
The first Thursday of the month is always reserved for Good Morning Seminole, but the first Thursday of August was special. This month, we featured a discussion on the new Tourism Improvement District, an effort by Seminole County government and the local tourism industry to grow our sports tourism industry. Featuring a panel discussion led by well-known former Sentinel sports writer George Diaz, our attendees learned how this new effort will impact them. Nearly 250 people came to hear our
Greater Orlando Sports Commission Announces Award Winners for 2025 Celebrating Women in Sports Luncheon Presented by Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute
The Greater Orlando Sports Commission (GO Sports) has announced five award winners that will be honored during the 2025 Celebrating Women in Sports luncheon presented by Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute. The 7th annual luncheon will be hosted at UCF’s Addition Financial Arena on Wednesday, September 17 at 11:00am. The luncheon will recognize the honorees in three categories: Chrissy Elliott (Florida Citrus Sports), Heather Fagan (City of Orlando), and Sherry Wheelock (Special Olympics Florida)
Greater Orlando Sports Commission Announces Retirement of CFO Gary Cohen, Welcomes Jeanine Scharpf as New Chief Financial Officer
The Greater Orlando Sports Commission (GO Sports) today announced the retirement of Chief Financial Officer Gary Cohen after more than a decade of dedicated service. The organization also proudly welcomes Jeanine Scharpf as its new CFO, bringing with her over 30 years of experience in financial management and strategic planning. Gary Cohen has been a cornerstone of GO Sports’ financial operations since joining the organization in 2014, playing a critical role in its success over the past 11 years. An
Greater Orlando Sports Commission Extends Partnership With Lake County Through 2030
The Greater Orlando Sports Commission (GO Sports) is proud to announce a five-year contract extension with Lake County, continuing the successful partnership that began in 1996. The agreement extends the collaboration through 2030, reinforcing a shared commitment to growing sports tourism in the region. Over the past five years, the partnership has driven a significant number of hotel room night stays annually, underscoring Lake County’s status as a premier destination for championship-caliber events.
Orlando Hosts World’s Largest Volleyball Tournament, Bolstering its Hosting Credentials for Major Events
Orlando has reaffirmed why it’s one of the world’s premier international sports destinations, hosting the 2025 Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Junior National Volleyball Championships, the world’s largest volleyball tournament. The event, which ran from June 13 to July 7, attracted over 6,500 teams and 325,500 estimated athletes, coaches, and spectators from all 50 states and multiple countries to Orlando, setting new participation and attendance records. Hosted at the Orange County Convention Center, one
Two Greater Orlando Venues Named To Newsweek’s Best Youth Baseball Complexes Of 2025
Central Florida has once again proven itself as a premier destination for youth sports, with two venues recognized among the Best Youth Baseball Complexes in America by the 2025 Newsweek Fans’ Choice Awards. Boombah Sports Complex in Seminole County earned the #1 national ranking, while ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort in Osceola County was honored at #8 on the prestigious list.Boombah Sports Complex’s top ranking is a testament to its state-of-the-art facilities, including 15
WBCA Announces Teams for Second Annual WBCA Showcase College Women’s Basketball Event at Walt Disney World Resort
Baylor, Central Missouri, Davidson, Iowa, Miami (Florida), Missouri, Washington State and West Florida will compete in the second annual WBCA Showcase at Walt Disney World Resort, the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association announced today. The college women’s basketball event played at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex will be held Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 20-23, 2025. Baylor, Davidson, Iowa and Miami each will play two NCAA Division I games on Thursday and Saturday. Missouri and Washington State
A Foot in the Door
Internships open windows to opportunities. The stereotypical punch line may be ‘pick up the dry cleaning’ and coffee runs, but it does not come close to defining the experience of a collaborative effort between a company and an intern. At the Greater Orlando Sports Commission (GO Sports), interns are viewed as valuable contributors who dip those proverbial toes into a myriad of opportunities. With eyes wide open, opportunities arise, and career paths are launched. The GO Sports internship program has
Greater Orlando Sports Commission Announces Misty May-Treanor as Featured Speaker for ?2025 Celebrating Women in Sports Luncheon
The Greater Orlando Sports Commission (GO Sports) is proud to announce that the 7th Annual Celebrating Women in Sports luncheon presented by Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute will be hosted at Addition Financial Arena on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. In addition to Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute returning as the presenting sponsor, Florida Blue is returning as the sponsor of the fireside chat with featured speaker, Misty May-Treanor. Last year's luncheon sold out with more than 725
2026 USA Volleyball Open National Championship to be Hosted in Orlando
USA Volleyball is excited to announce that the 2026 USA Volleyball Open National Championship will take place at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, from May 22–27, 2026. Celebrating its status as the longest-running adult volleyball championship in the United States, the event will bring together athletes of all skill levels, ages, and backgrounds for an unforgettable week of competition. The Open National Championship, known for its vibrant atmosphere and inclusive spirit, will
FHSAA Partners with Seminole County and Greater Orlando Sports Commission for 2025 Softball State Championships
The Boombah-Soldiers Creek Park in Longwood has been selected to host the 2025 Florida High School Softball State Championships. In partnership with Seminole County and the Greater Orlando Sports Commission (GO Sports), Florida’s best high school softball teams in 2025 will seek a conclusion to their season within the friendly confines of Seminole County. The 2025 championship event featuring 32 teams will take place Tuesday, May 20th through Saturday, May 24th. Developed in 2017 and conveniently located
Orlando Welcomes FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Showcases Readiness for 2025 FIFA Club World Cup
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and the Greater Orlando Sports Commission (GO Sports), alongside partners at the City of Orlando, Orange County, Inter&Co Stadium, Camping World Stadium, Florida Citrus Sports, and Visit Orlando, yesterday welcomed FIFA President Gianni Infantino to Orlando for a visit ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™. As a part of a nationwide trophy tour for the tournament, FIFA President Gianni Infantino visited Inter&Co Stadium and Camping World Stadium, both venues which will host
Seminole County Commission Champions Tourism Improvement District
The Seminole County Board of County Commissioners has approved the establishment of the Seminole County Tourism Improvement District (TID), a dedicated funding mechanism designed to strengthen the County’s position as a premier sports tourism destination. The initiative, years in the making by the Office of Economic Development & Tourism, has the potential to generate an estimated $3.2 million annually through a $1.75 per room, per night assessment on qualifying hotel properties (60+ rooms). These funds
