[Source: Global Sports Week] A unique global-local event concept saw speakers gather in venues across four continents, with the action linked live to a central base at the heart of the Eiffel Tower.
More than 20,000 people from 153 countries visited the immersive digital platform, where they were able to participate virtually in more than 100 sessions.
With themes including the rise of athlete activism; the new sport-for-health agenda; the emergence of new digital sports formats and revenue streams; women’s sport; social justice; and the climate emergency, Global Sports Week demonstrated the massive on-going transformation happening across the world of sport.
Over 200 speakers made an appearance across six future host cities of the Olympic, Paralympic and Youth Olympic Games – Paris, Tokyo, Beijing, Milan, Dakar and Los Angeles.
The main GSWArena stage incorporated broadcasts from hub venues at the French Institute Tokyo, the Embassy of France in Beijing and the Museum of Black Civilisations in Dakar, as well as from ‘virtual hubs’ in Milan and Los Angeles. Each of the international lives opened with a message from the Mayors Anne Hidalgo (Paris), Eric Garcetti (Los Angeles), Soham El Wardini (Dakar), and Giuseppe Sala (Milan), Vice Mayor of Beijing Zhang Jiandong and Governor of Tokyo Yuriko Koike, who each presented their vision for sport and the Games in the future of their cities.
As in 2020, the voice of the next generation was represented throughout the week by a group of 34 Young Sports Makers, under-25s drawn from 16 nations, who were tasked with challenging leaders and helping to shape discussions in line with their concerns.
Global Sports Week 2021 was also the stage for a number of significant announcements. These included:
> The launch of two new toolkits by Global Sports Week patron UNESCO, unveiled by Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences Gabriela Ramos, and designed respectively to empower young people to influence physical education policy; and to support policy makers in implementing the change in national systems.
> The unveiling by Paris 2024 and AFD (L’Agence Française de Développement) of a new joint incubator and the 26 athlete-entrepreneurs who will receive support to champion high-impact social and environmental projects in France and across 10 countries in Africa. The project was presented at the Eiffel Tower by Rémy Rioux, Chief Executive Officer of the AFD, and Tony Estanguet, President of Paris 2024, marking the one-year anniversary of their agreement, signed at Global Sports Week in 2020.
> The launch by Global Sports Week’s Founding Partner and the first Paris 2024 Premium Partner Groupe BPCE of its annual analysis of the French sports economy. BPCE L’Observatoire estimates that the French sport economy experienced a drop of approximately 21% in 2020 in comparison to 2019, which represent a much deeper recession than for the rest of the economy (-8.3% according to INSEE.)
> The launch of a five-year, pan-European project by Global Sports Week Founding Partner adidas, addressing the brand’s Global Purpose pillar of Breaking Barriers for Girls. adidas will work with 15 non-profit sport for good organisations across different regions of Europe across the five years, improving their capacity and capability to serve women and girls in their communities in order to empower 100+ Breaking Barriers Champions and engage with 50,000+ female participants. The project aims to increase girls’ participation in sport by building the capacity of the sport-for-good ecosystem to better serve women and girls, as well as to provide inspiration for girls to become their best selves.
Lucien Boyer, President and Co-Founder of Global Sports Week, said: “At Global Sports Week’s inaugural edition at the Louvre in 2020, the big message was about the need for change. This year, we clearly witnessed the revolution happening across the world of sport, which reflects the fundamental links between sport, business and society.
“This remains the heart of the Global Sports Week concept, which itself has reinvented in a creative and ambitious new format fit for a future, healthier and more socially-conscious world.
“Sport belongs at the heart of this future, and we are clearly seeing how the positive pressure of young people is helping the ecosystem to change and play a bigger role across the key issues in global society. We look forward to welcoming the world back to Global Sports Week in 2022 to continue the journey of positive transformation together.”
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Global Sports Week shines spotlight on a world sports economy in transformation
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Private equity firm CVC invests in FIVB to drive growth of volleyball
[Source: FIVB] The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) and CVC Capital Partners Fund VII are pleased to announce the launch of Volleyball World, a new partnership which will drive innovation, growth and investment in volleyball around the globe.
Volleyball is the fourth most popular sport globally, with more than 800 million fans and high participation, across attractive markets, including Italy, Brazil, Japan, Poland, China and the US. Volleyball was the most watched sport at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, with 2.6 billion viewer hours globally.
Volleyball World will become the commercial entity for the sport around the world, initially for FIVB and aiming at working later alongside other leagues and federations, with the goal of increasing the profile and popularity of the sport, through fresh investment for the benefit of fans, players and National Federations. Volleyball World will be responsible for the commercial operation of key volleyball and beach volleyball international events, including: the World Championships, Olympic Qualifiers and the Volleyball Nations League. The partnership will focus on event hosting, fan experience, media, data / digital opportunities, and sponsorship to grow commercial revenues for reinvestment, which will ensure the long-term success of the sport.
FIVB, together with its 222 National Federations, will remain the sole, global volleyball regulatory body with responsibility for the sport and its development. As the majority shareholder in Volleyball World, FIVB will oversee the new commercial vision for volleyball while ensuring the interests of all stakeholders are represented. CVC brings extensive experience to this partnership, with a strong track record of investing in multiple sports businesses, including Formula 1, Moto GP, and Rugby. CVC also brings access to a broad international network of relationships with offices in 22 countries in Europe, Asia and the Americas, which will help accelerate the commercial growth of volleyball and investment in the sport at all levels.
Finn Taylor, who was previously the head of Cirque du Soleil’s Global Touring show business overseeing significant geographic expansion and growth, will be the CEO of Volleyball World. Fernando Lima, formerly FIVB Secretary General will Chair the Board of Volleyball World. Other Board members will include Fabio Azevedo (the current FIVB General Director) and Simon Denyer (founder and former CEO of DAZN Group).
FIVB President Ary S. Graça F° said: “We are delighted to partner with CVC to launch Volleyball World. The FIVB is committed to constantly innovating while searching for opportunities that can sustain the development of the sport around the world. In CVC we are confident we have found a partner with the experience, network and capital to support FIVB in its mission to further professionalise the sport for the benefit of fans, players and National Federations.
Volleyball World will boost our sport’s financial growth and deliver lasting legacies for the whole game. Working in partnership with CVC we will be able to secure volleyball’s future and emerge stronger from the current challenges.”
CVC Capital Partners Head of Sports, Media and Entertainment, Nick Clarry added: “Volleyball is one of the most popular sports in the world and there is a huge untapped fan base and commercial potential. FIVB & CVC working together at Volleyball World, will drive innovation and greater fan engagement, which will accelerate growth and allow for substantial reinvestment back into the sport. We are delighted to be partnering with FIVB and look forward to working closely together to develop the sport globally, working collaboratively with all the players, leagues and federations in the years to come.” -
Singing is the key back to our normal lives
Singing is one of the most beautiful things in the world. It is healthy and makes people happy – whether as a singer or a listener. Without a song, the world would be silent.
Music and especially singing have always been a comfort to people in the darkest times. Be it the many spirituals describing the hardship of slavery, the Singing Revolution in the Baltic States, and, most recently, the many songs sounding from balconies in neighbourhoods all over the world at the beginnings of the current pandemic.
There are an estimated 37 million choir singers in Europe alone, with millions more scattered all over the world. All have been suffering from restrictions since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, but at the same time it quickly became obvious that the choir singers not only handled the given circumstances with high responsibility, but also got immensely creative in keeping their community alive: choirs were among the first to create fun and emotional virtual music videos when social distancing started to become the name of the game.
And especially this high spirit of hope and confidence among the choral community will be the key to get out of the current situation. INTERKULTUR, as the world’s largest organizer of international choir competitions and festivals all over the world, comprises a strong network of choir singers, conductors and musical institutions all around the world. Its events are an experience of international communication – connected through the universal language of music. Whether in Hoi An (Vietnam), Barcelona (Spain), Princeton (USA), Vienna (Austria), or Guangzhou/Canton (China), at more than 230 international events in the last 30 years INTERKULTUR has brought people together from 107 countries, regardless their origin, religion or world view. And every two years INTERKULTUR organises the world’s largest international choir competition in different cities on different continents: the World Choir Games, known as the Olympics of Choral Music.
Three World Choir Games editions are already in preparation, holding the spirits among the choral community high during an ongoing global low. The outlook on celebrating the World Choir Games in Flanders, Belgium (2021), Gangneung, Republic of Korea (2022) and Auckland, New Zealand (2024) are exciting goals to approach with new motivation.
And there is hardly any other event that visualises so clearly why arts and culture are sorely needed here, in a deeply troubled world.
Anyone who has witnessed a World Choir Games event on site will immediately understand how this unique event for this special group of people is able to inspire an entire city and an entire community with an unprecedented spirit of music, culture and international community. The World Choir Games is an occasion to experience the most beautiful sounds and emotions of humanity: listening to music from all over the world, watching singers in traditional costumes presenting their individual cultures, and meeting people from countries one could barely visit in a lifetime. Together, all participants, residents and visitors are celebrating a great festival of music, song and joie de vivre – all at one single place, in the World Choir Games host city.
An unforgettable experience for all involved and especially for the host city itself! You can find more information here: http://host.worldchoirgames.com -
World Choir Games 2022: your loyalty gets rewarded!
[Source: Interkultur] The 12th World Choir Games 2022 in Gangneung, Republic of Korea, are making us dream of a bright future: Singing and celebrating at a wonderful destination surrounded by beautiful coast and mountains with a treat of real Olympic air through the Olympic Park and ICE Arena, which tell us about the time of Winter Olympics in 2018.
In order to help you making this dream reality we have recently published a new loyalty package which grants you additional discounts for registrations until May 5, 2021: the more World Choir Games participations you had since 2012, the greater benefits you’ll receive. But that’s not all: On top of this we will give you a free city sightseeing tour, a voucher for your scores and even professional pictures from your choir on stage.
You didn’t join a World Choir Games with your choir yet? No problem, also new choirs will receive a little discount, if they register for the World Choir Games 2022 until May 5.
And no worries, we don’t need the full registration documents until that date. All you have to send to us is theFull Registration forms , except repertoire (this can be submitted later with sheet music)*
Registration fee
Photo of your choir*
Short biography of your choir
Recording of your choir in mp3 format(*the number of participants and final travel dates in the registration form as well as your official choir photo can of course be updated at a later stage)
What are you waiting for? Check out all the details at www.wcg2022.com! You will find the specific information in the section “Registration” after you have chosen your country from the list. -
David Grevemberg to depart Commonwealth Games Federation
[Source: Commonwealth Games Federation] David Grevemberg will be leaving his role as Chief Executive Officer at the Commonwealth Games Federation on 5 March.
David has served in this position since November 2014 following his tenure at the helm of the successful Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
During this time, David worked to help transform the Federation’s focus from quadrennial oversight of its major Games to a dynamic, strategic Movement focused on legacy, impact and community benefit.
In 2015, David oversaw the development and launch of the organisation’s strategic plan, Transformation 2022, as well as its refresh in 2019, following extensive consultations across the Federation’s governance, management and global network of members and stakeholders.
This ambitious plan has informed and directed the priorities and activities of the Federation over a period of significant evolution, and David has worked diligently to deliver on this vision.
As part of Transformation 2022, David has passionately led on the recognition of the role of human rights in sport and tirelessly championed initiatives focused on social justice, impact, equality, diversity and inclusion.
Leading a dedicated team, he has successfully supported the Host Cities and Organising Committees of the Samoa 2015 and Bahamas 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games, and Australia’s 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.
The Federation will now begin the process of recruiting for a new CEO.
Dame Louise Martin said: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank David for his work, energetic advocacy, and strong commitment to our Movement and leaving the Federation well positioned for Birmingham 2022.
David is a visionary and energetic advocate of the power of sport and its ability to enhance and transform lives.”
David Grevemberg said: “I have had the privilege of working in the Commonwealth Sport Movement for over a decade; including six years as CEO of the Federation.
I am enormously proud of the work that we have achieved and continue to drive through our strategy, Transformation 2022, which has always been delivered in ambitious partnership with our team, our leadership and our passionate global network of members and Commonwealth athletes.
Together we have transformed the vision, mission and impact of our Movement, and it has been an honour to play my small part in building peaceful, sustainable and prosperous communities across the Commonwealth through sport.
The upcoming Commonwealth Games in Birmingham are tracking positively and I am confident will be another milestone event for the movement.
After much reflection, I feel that now is the right moment to pass the baton. This will give a successor time to support and experience next year’s Games in Birmingham and plan and oversee the next significant phase of the Federation’s history, post-Transformation 2022.”
Host City wishes David and the CGF well. Watch David Grevemberg chairing the discussion on The Impact of the Black Lives Matter with Densign White and Brian Lewis at Host City 2020 -
2023 UCI Cycling World Championships appoints three Head of Departments
The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships has appointed Susan Murrin, Pamela Brockett and Rob Arbuthnot to its team in the roles of Head of Operations, Head of Sport Delivery and Head of Marketing and Communications respectively.
Each will work alongside their respective Directors and the Championships Event Partners and stakeholders to design and deliver the event as well as its wider ambition of supporting meaningful societal change across Scotland.
Susan joins the team with 15 years of major event experience having worked across the full range of operational requirements at events including at the World Rowing Championships, FIS Snowboard World Cups, London 2017 World Athletics Championships and the Glasgow 2018 European Championships. Most recently, Susan led the Championships Services team at the Yorkshire 2019 UCI Road Cycling World Championships.
For more than 10 years, Pamela has played a key role in developing Glasgow’s reputation as a world-leading event city as part of the Glasgow Life team, using her exceptional event management skills to deliver an annual portfolio of events and one-off major projects. This includes a roster of national, European and UCI Cycling World Championships and over six years’ experience of operating at a leadership level within a major multi-sport event environment, including the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and the inaugural 2018 European Championships.
Having spent the last 10 years at Red Bull, Rob will bring a wealth of experience in leading world-class marketing activations across consumer goods, media and live experiences. Whilst in the Brand Team, he was responsible for leading and delivering some of Red Bull’s most successful cycling event campaigns and activations, including Red Bull Hardline, Red Bull Timelaps and Red Bull Million Mile commute campaign, which encouraged the nation to get on their bike and, through pedal power, commute 1 Million Miles.
Trudy Lindblade, 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships CEO, said: “I’m delighted to have Susan, Pamela and Rob joining the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships team. The appointment of the three Heads of Department is another key step forward as we look to deliver this historic event and build a blueprint for future editions.
“The Championships is more than just an event. In addition to delivering a great event for athletes and spectators our aim is for it to also be a catalyst for change across Scotland by supporting ideas and opportunities that help more people to ride bikes more often. Alongside the rest of the team, Susan, Pamela and Rob will ensure this ambition for the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships is realised.”
Susan will take up her role on 1 March while start dates for Pamela and Rob are currently being finalised.
Taking place in Glasgow and across Scotland in August 2023, the UCI Cycling World Championships will be the single biggest cycling event in history bringing together thousands of cyclists around 13 of cycling’s existing UCI World Championships into one mega event for the first time.
The Championships is more than just an event. It will celebrate the unique power of the bike and all it can bring to our everyday lives, whether it’s physical and mental health benefits, easing congestion on the road to help the environment, or simply making it easier for people to get around.
The Championships is being delivered in collaboration between cycling’s governing body the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), Scottish Government, Glasgow Life, UK Sport, British Cycling and VisitScotland with its EventScotland team, with the partnership creating a blueprint for future editions by ensuring the inaugural event is authentic, innovative and distinctive. -
FIFA appoints Chief Operating Officers for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023
[Source: FIFA] Following their initial appointment last year to lead the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ office in their respective host countries, Jane Fernandez has now been named as the COO for Australia, with Jane Patterson being officially appointed as the COO for New Zealand.
Jane Fernandez led Football Australia’s successful joint bid to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 and was subsequently appointed as Head of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Office (Australia). In addition, she was Head of Sport for the Australian Olympic Committee and Tournament Director of the AFC Asian Cup 2015.
Jane Patterson has worked on sports events across Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia and the UK, including a wide range of world championships in netball, BMX, para-swimming and taekwondo and major events including the Ironman Triathlon and the New Zealand Open golf tournament. She was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2016 in recognition of her achievements in service to sport and worked for New Zealand Football as Project Director for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.
Speaking about the announcement FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura said: “Today’s announcement adds to the excitement around the ninth edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023. We are delighted to welcome Jane Patterson and Jane Fernandez on board as Chief Operating Officers for the competition. Their skill, experience in leading multi-talented teams and passion for football will be key to ensuring the delivery of the FIFA Women’s World Cup at the highest level.”
James Johnson, Football Australia Chief Executive Officer, added: “We are delighted that Jane Fernandez has been appointed to this prestigious and important position, and that her vast knowledge and skillset will continue to be utilised by FIFA for the biggest sporting event to be held on Australian soil since Sydney 2000.”
Andrew Pragnell, CEO of New Zealand Football said: “New Zealand Football are thrilled to see Jane Patterson confirmed as Chief Operating Officer (New Zealand) for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023. Jane has done a stellar job to date as Project Director for the Initial Operating Phase and we are delighted to see her continue to bring her wealth of knowledge and experience to the tournament.”
As part of their new roles, the newly-appointed COOs will oversee the operational aspects of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 in Australia and New Zealand.
In 2023, the FIFA Women’s World Cup will be co-hosted for the first time in FIFA’s history across two confederations. In addition, the number of teams participating will increase from 24 at the eighth edition of the competition in France 2019, to 32 in 2023.
Recruitment has also started for the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) role for the tournament. Details have been posted on the careers section of FIFA.com and on the Football Australia and New Zealand Football websites. -
Glasgow secures future conference business worth £84m
[Source: Glasgow Convention Bureau] New figures have shown that despite the current challenges facing the meetings industry, Glasgow has secured 28 new conferences from a range of sectors since 1 April 2020. The conferences will welcome over 36,000 delegates to the city and have an economic value of £84m.
Throughout the last year Team Glasgow have championed a partnership approach, working together to keep Glasgow front of mind for organisers as a world leading conference destination.
Glasgow Convention Bureau is proud to have worked closely with the city’s academic Conference Ambassadors to secure future conferences, two of which include the 2022 Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Europe Annual Conference and the 2022 bi-annual AMA SERVSIG Conference.
“Never has partnership working been more significant than during the last twelve months. Glasgow has continued to win conferences for future years, despite the current restrictions. This is a clear endorsement of the confidence that the global meetings industry holds in our city, and the importance of our world-class academic ambassadors who invite their international peers to meet in Glasgow,” said Aileen Crawford, Head of Conventions at Glasgow Convention Bureau.
The annual CASE Europe Conference will take place in the city from 29 August – 1 September 2022 at the Scottish Event Campus, welcoming 1,200 delegates to Glasgow with an economic benefit of £2.4m.
“I am delighted that Glasgow has been chosen to host the CASE Europe Annual Conference in 2022. The opportunity to network with colleagues and share ideas and best practice has never been more mission-critical, and the opportunity to welcome colleagues from across the globe to Glasgow is hugely valuable to the University and our communities,” said Rachel Sandison, Vice-Principal, External Relations at the University of Glasgow.
Kathleen Warden, Director of Conference Sales at the Scottish Event Campus said: “The SEC was delighted to support the University of Glasgow in the bid to secure CASE Europe for Glasgow in 2022. Conferences are key to supporting economic and social change, and CASE Europe is the perfect example. The goal of the event is to champion education to transform lives and society, and there is nowhere better to host the event than in Glasgow.”
The bi-annual AMA SERVSIG Conference is to be held in the city in June 2022 and will welcome 250 delegates to the University of Strathclyde Technology & Innovation Centre, worth £350K to the local economy.
“The bi-annual AMA SERVSIG conference brings academics from all over the world to highlight the superb research being undertaken in the service research community. I am proud that Glasgow will host SERVSIG in June 2022 at the University of Strathclyde Technology & Innovation Centre, and look forward to welcoming delegates to the city for the conference, which will provide an excellent platform for innovation, knowledge exchange and collaboration,” said Dr Matthew Alexander, Associate Dean (Post-Graduate Research), University of Strathclyde.
Gordon Hodge, Head of Conferencing & Events, University of Strathclyde Technology & Innovation Centre said: “We’re delighted that Matthew and his colleagues in Strathclyde Business School have won the right to host SERVSIG 2022, and we can’t wait to welcome delegates to our award-winning Technology and Innovation Centre next summer. It’s a great example of the power and potential of the partnership between the Convention Bureau and the city’s universities, something that will surely be a key driver as we work together to reposition and to re-assert Glasgow’s status as a leading conference destination in the post-COVID world.” -
ASOIF to hold virtual General Assembly in June
[Source: ASOIF] At its first meeting of 2021, the Council of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) today agreed to organise its General Assembly virtually on 8 June, due to the ongoing global pandemic. This year’s annual gathering of the ASOIF member federations will feature the election of three Council members.
During its virtual meeting, the Council agreed on proposing to the General Assembly amendments to the ASOIF statues, aimed at improving gender balance within the representation of International Federation (IF) delegates at the General Assembly. The draft wording states that if any member federation intends to send the maximum number of three delegates to the ASOIF General Assembly, then both genders must be represented.
In another move to continuously enforce good governance, the ASOIF Council discussed arrangements for the fourth ASOIF review of IF governance and endorsed the launch of a pilot study on organisational culture within IFs.
ASOIF President Francesco Ricci Bitti said on this occasion: “It’s important to have rules and regulations in place, but we all know that the behaviour and actions of people play a large role in how an organisation really functions. Our new pilot study on organisational culture is a complex exercise but we are convinced that the outcomes will be highly beneficial to our member federations.”
The Council also reviewed the latest developments in the final preparations for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and welcomed the COVID-19 countermeasures “Playbooks”, which also lay out the framework for IF operations at Games-time. ASOIF and its member IFs remain fully committed to delivering successful and safe Games in Tokyo. Everybody is working hard to find practical and fair solutions regarding the Olympic qualification process.
With the pandemic having accelerated the interest and participation in virtual simulations of IF sports and disciplines, the Council endorsed an esports project to explore strategic and business options for all IFs to engage with gaming/esports.
Finally, the Council welcomed the recent views expressed by the European Commission in support of the European Model of Sport. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted sport’s important contribution to society in social, health and economic terms as well as the need for solidarity within the sports movement. The Council stressed that the fundamental elements of the European Model of Sport – solidarity, revenue redistribution and sport autonomy – should be protected and that the public authorities should be mindful of the third-party sport event promoters’ impact on the European Model of Sport.
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Orlando’s World Cup stadium upgrade nears completion
[Source: Greater Orlando Sports Commission] Work has started at Orlando’s famous Camping World Stadium as the city reinforces its unique appeal as a venue for the 2026 FIFA World Cup™.
The $60m final phase of an ambitious “top to bottom” renovation costing $267m in total, places sports tourism at the forefront of the city’s post-Covid recovery plan. By the time it is finished the stadium will – in effect – have been completely re-built, with 90% all-new construction.
“Orlando has already established itself as one of the premier sports destinations in North America and enhancing Camping World Stadium only adds to our ability to host premier events,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. “I am proud that we’ve achieved exceptional value throughout the entire reconstruction. Our strategy has been validated by the lineup of marquee events scheduled for the stadium in the future.”
The work is being carried out by Barton Malow, a Michigan-based construction firm and one of America’s largest private companies.
“Camping World Stadium is an iconic landmark for Orlando and a key component of the city’s sports tourism strategy,” said Barton Malow Vice President of Sports, Len Moser.
Jason Siegel, President & CEO of Greater Orlando Sports Commission said: “For the first time in the tournament’s history, the 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature 48 international teams, 16 more than any previous World Cup. This puts even greater emphasis on host city infrastructure as FIFA seeks to guarantee the quality of the matchday experience for soccer fans. The stadium upgrade is the final piece of the jigsaw, adding to Orlando’s reputation as a world leader in creating unforgettable moments for its millions of visitors every year.”
Orlando is America’s most visited destination, with 76 million incoming tourists a year; a significant proportion generated by the city’s highly effective promotion of its sporting credentials. Money from Orlando’s Tourist Development Tax (TDT) or “bed tax” is funding the renovation. The TDT collected $284 million from visitors last fiscal year.
Allen Johnson, Chief Venues Officer of Orlando Venues, which operates the stadium, said: “I believe our value for money approach is the smart way forward because it recognizes FIFA’s awareness of environmental and sustainability objectives. Camping World Stadium is proud to have received a LEED Silver certification from the US Green Building Council following its massive reconstruction in 2014 and we are committed to a greener future.”
Orlando has a booming soccer infrastructure. It was one of the venues chosen to host matches for the 1994 FIFA World Cup when attendances averaged over 60,000 per match. It also hosted Olympic soccer matches for both the men’s and women’s competitions in 1996. Camping World Stadium has a 65,000-seat capacity (expandable) and its record attendance was 75,245 for WrestleMania 33 in 2017.
Camping World Stadium is welcoming back fans after a nine-month event hiatus. It went three-for-three for bowl games during a seven-day stretch from December 26 – January 1, winning the distinction of hosting the most bowl games at any stadium participating in the Football Bowl Subdivision. While simultaneously hosting a record number of bowl games, Orlando Venues stadium management also rolled out their health and safety game plan and safely welcomed back fans.
“Because it takes considerable effort to repeatedly ‘flip’ the stadium and have it game-ready in such a tight window, I’m proud of our team and partners who worked tirelessly to make the conversions seamless,” said Allen Johnson.
The health and safety of athletes, patrons and staff remains the top priority at Camping World Stadium which recently received a Global Biorisk Advisory Council STAR Facility Accreditation, the gold standard of prepared facilities, affirming the stadium’s commitment to outbreak prevention, response and recovery.
With bowl week behind it, Camping World Stadium hosted the highest-profile off-road motorcycle racing championship in the world – the Monster Energy AMA Supercross FIM World Championship on February 13 and 20.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup are set to be selected in the second half of 2021.