[Source: FIFA] As part of the next stage of the venue selection process, FIFA has provided further information to the 23 candidate host cities for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ in Canada, Mexico and the United States regarding the timeline with deadlines set for 2021, subject to any restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic.
Following on from the information-exchange phase initiated last year, FIFA and the host associations will organise virtual one-on-one meetings with each stadium to discuss infrastructural aspects from the end of February 2021 onwards.
From April 2021, FIFA and the host associations will launch targeted virtual discussions with each candidate host city.
Bearing in mind the constantly changing circumstances with regard to the COVID-19 pandemic, FIFA and the host associations are aiming to start the venue visits in the candidate host cities at the beginning of July 2021. In keeping with FIFA’s policy of following the recommendations of the health authorities in the context of the pandemic, the visits will only take place if the health and safety situation in the host countries allows FIFA to do so.
Provided the aforementioned venue visits are conducted, FIFA and the host associations aim to have the host cities appointed by the FIFA Council in the last quarter of 2021.
As per the focus areas for assessment shared during the candidate host city workshops last year, while stadiums remain the foundation for the successful hosting of a FIFA World Cup, FIFA considers that providing key infrastructure and services (both sporting and general) and realising the commercial potential of each venue, as well as in terms of sustainability, human rights and event legacy, is of the utmost importance.
In line with FIFA’s strategic objective of making football truly global, the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be the first-ever edition of the competition to feature 48 teams.
Tag: 2026 FIFA World Cup
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FIFA reveals World Cup 2026 host city selection timetable
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Baltimore-Maryland 2026 partners with Benin on international football development initiative
Baltimore-Maryland’s bid to host 2026 FIFA World Cup matches has launched a new ‘International Football Development 2026’ (IFD26) initiative as part of its commitment to creating strong local and international football legacies.
As part of the campaign, Baltimore-Maryland 2026 is partnering with regions across the world to offer support where sports development resources may be limited. The launch of the initiative is accompanied with the announcement of the initiative’s first partner, West-African Benin.
“We’re very excited to be part of the IFD26 family and to be forging a close relationship with the Baltimore-Maryland 2026 team. We are looking forward to working alongside Baltimore 2026 as the first region to develop, not only our domestic football landscape, but also close economic and cultural ties with the city. For us this a natural alignment because it is evident we share similar values,” said Benin’s Minister of Sports, Mr. Oswald Homeky.
“As a diverse and welcoming city, Baltimore-Maryland would offer FIFA a unique and unrivalled opportunity if chosen as host of 2026 FIFA World Cup matches. The bid’s proven commitment to creating enduring legacies is testament to its central vision of welcoming the world to enjoy the 2026 FIFA World Cup.”
IFD26 will see Benin and Baltimore-Maryland 2026 collaborate and share knowledge, building on the West African country’s passion for football and developing its women’s and youth programs to empower all areas of the game. Capability-building lies at the heart of the IFD26 initiative, and the partnership will grow Benin’s domestic football industry, creating employment pathways, education, skills and job opportunities.
“Baltimore-Maryland 2026 is committed to expanding the global horizons of football and delivering impactful programs that deliver a strong football legacy for local and world football and FIFA,” said Terrance Hasseltine, President of Baltimore-Maryland 2026 and Executive Director of Maryland Sports Commission.
“Baltimore-Maryland 2026 has been described as underdogs in this race and that simply pushes us on to deliver a dynamic bid that shows our diverse city is ready to welcome the football family. IFD26 will be a central focus for our bid, and we are looking forward to supporting fellow ‘underdogs’ and their football development.”
Aligning with Baltimore-Maryland 2026’s vision of expanding football’s audience locally and internationally, IFD26 will enable the bid to engage new global audiences with the 2026 FIFA World Cup and grow the game in new markets.
“Expanding the horizons of football is a core commitment of our bid to host 2026 FIFA World Cup matches and the IFD26 initiative will support football’s long-term development in Baltimore-Maryland and across the world. Partnering with Benin is a fantastic opportunity for our shared passion for football to grow and to deliver tangible legacy initiatives for current and future players to benefit from,” said Olubunmi Jinadu, Senior Advisor to and Member of the Baltimore Maryland 2026 FIFA World Cup Host Committee.
“Baltimore-Maryland 2026 promises to be a platform for growing football in new markets and engaging new audiences locally and internationally and IFD26 is a key part of this.”
According to the announcement accompanying the launch, Baltimore-Maryland’s bid to host 2026 FIFA World Cup matches offers “a unique and unrivalled opportunity to build one of the most welcoming, diverse and inclusive host cities in World Cup history. As an easy to navigate city ready to accommodate football, Baltimore-Maryland 2026 will promote sustainable practices and human rights and provide a catalyst for positive change through football.” -
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. -
Houston “ready to host” 2026 FIFA World Cup as officials prepare to meet with FIFA and US Soccer
Houston 2026 World Cup Bid Committee officials will meet with FIFA and US Soccer representatives today (Wednesday March 10) to showcase their plans for hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“We are excited for the opportunity to engage with FIFA and US Soccer and discuss Houston’s unmatched operational readiness to host World Cup matches in 2026,” said Houston 2026 World Cup Bid Committee president, Chris Canetti.
The virtual meeting will focus the NRG Stadium, where World Cup matches would be held.
“We are fortunate to have such a world-class facility as part of our amazing network of infrastructure. NRG Stadium is a key element to the bid, and we are eager to show how the stadium can seamlessly deliver for FIFA as it has done time-and-time again for other major events,” Canetti said.
The bid team say the city has hosted more large-scale sporting events than any other candidate host city since 2004. The NRG Stadium, home to the Houston Texans and the Houston Livestock & Rodeo Show, has hosted two Super Bowls, two NCAA Final Fours, Copa America Centenario. NRG will host the 2023 Final Four and the 2024 College Football Playoff. It has regularly hosted the Concacaf Gold Cup and matches involving the Mexican National Team. Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Real Madrid have recently played at NRG Stadium.
As the fourth largest city in the US, with seven million people, Houston would be the biggest US city hosting the 2026 World Cup within the city limits.
The Houston delegation also includes Houston 2026 World Cup Bid Committee chairman, John Arnold, consultant, John Kristick, Mark Miller, general manager of NRG Park, Ryan Walsh, executive director of the Harris County Sports & Convention Corp. – NRG Park, David Fletcher, executive director of Lone Star Sports & Entertainment, and Dan Bergstrom, the director of turf & grounds for BBVA Stadium.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be played in 16 cities across the US, Mexico, and Canada. Houston is one of 17 US cities vying to host World Cup matches in 2026. FIFA is expected to select 10 US host cities, with a final decision coming in late 2021. -
Baltimore-Maryland presents “transformative hosting plans” to FIFA and U.S. Soccer
An Infrastructure Workshop with FIFA and the U.S. Soccer 2026 FIFA World Cup Host City selection delegation gave the Baltimore-Maryland 2026 Bid Committee an opportunity to showcase hosting plans it describes as “transformative”.
“It was a very positive infrastructure workshop and we’re delighted with the way our campaign is progressing,” said Terrance Hasseltine, President of Baltimore-Maryland 2026 and Executive Director of Maryland Sports Commission. “We were thrilled to present our world-class M&T Bank Stadium and our transformative and compact hosting plans. We are also incredibly proud that our proposed concept offers an unbeatable tournament experience for visiting teams, fans and officials from across the world.
“As a new domestic market for the FIFA World Cup, Baltimore-Maryland is an opportunity for FIFA and U.S. Soccer to capture the attention of more fans and accelerate the overall development of football in the U.S. FIFA World Cup 2026 in Baltimore will provide a great social and economic boost, inspire a new generation of football lovers and create a tangible legacy for all.”
The bid team highlight the stadium’s downtown location, with more than 10,000 hotel rooms within walking distance, and 10-mile proximity to the BWI Marshall International Airport.
The 71,000-capacity venue also benefits from USD $140 million of recent upgrades. The country’s first LEED Gold rated outdoor professional stadium, it equipped with 28,000 sq ft of 4K Ultra HD boards and displays and meets FIFA’s natural grass turf requirements.
Hosting the FIFA World Cup 2026 would accelerate Baltimore-Maryland’s urban development plans, which the bid team say are approved and supported by all levels of city and state government. Baltimore-Maryland plans to boost sporting and recreational activity with more green spaces, sporting facilities and football development initiatives.
“Maryland is united behind our bid to bring the 2026 FIFA World Cup to Baltimore. We are fully committed to Baltimore as a great Host City that offers not only quality venues for competition, but a rich history and love of sport that brings people together,” said Maryland Lt. Governor, Boyd Rutherford.
“Baltimore’s diverse communities, public institutions, and business communities are working hand-in-hand and looking forward to providing teams and fans from all over the world with the best FIFA World Cup experience possible. We appreciate the helpful insights provided by FIFA and U.S. Soccer during today’s workshop.” -
Houston awarded 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup matches
[Source: Houston 2026 World Cup Bid Committee] Houston’s bid to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been boosted by the news that Houston will host multiple 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup Matches at the city’s state-of-the-art BBVA Stadium and NRG Stadium.
Houston is one of only seven metropolitan markets selected to host matches in the 2021 edition of the tournament, with the BBVA Stadium and NRG Stadium two of the ten host venues. The decision comes on the back of Houston being awarded the right to host the 2021 World Table Tennis Championships, which will be the first time the event has been held in the United States.
The awarding of these two major international events highlights the confidence international sports bodies have in Houston’s sports hosting credentials. Houston has a proven track record in delivering world-class soccer and sport events. The BBVA Stadium has featured in every edition of the Gold Cup since it began in 2012 and the NRG Stadium has played host to some of the most well-attended matches in the tournament’s history, including a sold-out quarterfinal doubleheader in 2019.
Houston 2026 World Cup Bid Committee President Chris Canetti, said: “This is great news and I commend Harris County – Houston Sports Authority and all those involved in successfully bringing these fantastic events to our city. Houston is a soccer-loving city with a proud Gold Cup history and I am sure will do a fantastic job in hosting the tournament.
“Being awarded Gold Cup matches, alongside the World Table Tennis Championships, is further evidence that Houston has what it takes to host major international sports events. It is a helpful step towards our ultimate objective of becoming a host city for the world’s greatest single sport’s event – the FIFA World Cup. Houston has a proven track record in successfully delivering world-class international sports events and providing the ultimate environment for athletes to perform at their best.”
The 2021 Gold Cup will officially kick off with a new Preliminary Round where 12 nations who qualified through their CONCACAF Nations League performances will compete for the final three spots in the 16 team Gold Cup Group Stage. The Round One and Two Prelims matchups were drawn on September 10, 2020. The Group Stage will kick off on July 10, and the Final will be played on August 1 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Meanwhile, the 2021 World Table Tennis is scheduled to take place November 23-29 at Houston’s George R. Brown Convention Center, The tournament will see a total of 128 world’s best athletes in singles, and 64 pairs in doubles, compete and have a reach of over 500 million viewers globally across TV and digital platforms.
Houston 2026 continues to take steps forward to set itself apart in the field of 17 U.S. cities bidding to host matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Houston has hosted more large-scale sporting events than any other candidate host city since 2004, including two Super Bowls and two NCAA Final Fours.
Houston’s state-of-the-art NRG Stadium, recognized as the “Best Football Crowd in America” in 2008, has hosted several International Champions Cup matches and dozens of international soccer fixtures.
FIFA is expected to decide on the 10 U.S. host cities in late-2021 and is currently holding one-on-one discussions with each bid city. Houston 2026 is confident that the city’s tried and tested experience will provide an unmatched player and fan experience and deliver thrilling atmospheres at 2026 FIFA World Cup matches. -
Baltimore-Maryland 2026 World Cup Bid launches new logo inspired by local icons
Baltimore-Maryland’s 2026 World Cup Host City bid has today revealed its new brand identity and logo as its bid to host FIFA 2026 World Cup matches continues to build momentum.
Reflecting Baltimore-Maryland’s diverse communities and with close connections to the history of the city itself, the new brand identity embodies key aspects of the bid’s commitment to prioritizing diversity and inclusion and representing individuals from across the city and state.
The new branding and logo include references to the iconic “colors of Baltimore”, depicted in the “Painted Ladies” row homes of Northern Baltimore City, which have become synonymous with the vibrant neighborhoods of Baltimore-Maryland.
Featuring local iconography, including the “Hon Playing Soccer”, Pink Flamingo and Blue-Green Crab, the Baltimore-Maryland 2026 branding symbolizes the bid’s deep connections to the local culture:“Hon Playing Soccer”
Depicting a woman with a beehive hairstyle, the Baltimore “Hon” pays tribute to the women of Baltimore’s working-class communities in the 1950s and 1960s and represents the people of Baltimore-Maryland’s originality and creativity.
“Hon” is a person, a quintessential term of endearment in Baltimore’s regional dialect and the inspiration for the local arts and cultural festival, “Hon Fest”. The festival takes place in the city’s Hampden community and is widely accepted as one of the most welcoming and accepting places for the LGBTQ+ community in the U.S.Pink Flamingo
Deeply connected to Greater Baltimore’s artistic community and Baltimore Club Music, the Pink Flamingo can be found everywhere from neighborhood front yards to huge statues across the city. As the community has transformed from a manufacturing and shipping port to a hub for the next generation of artists and creatives, the Pink Flamingo has remained a constant icon of the local area.
Blue-Green Crab
Blue Crab is a staple of Maryland, and represents the state’s hospitality and culinary community, as well as its natural resources, harbor, waterways, and efforts towards sustainability and minimizing environmental impact.
Local Baltimore advertising agency, TBC, designed the new brand aligning with Baltimore-Maryland 2026’s commitment to showcasing local businesses at the heart of the bid and using FIFA 2026 World Cup matches to transform and regenerate the city and state.
Terrance Hasseltine, President of Baltimore-Maryland 2026 and Executive Director of Maryland Sports Commission, said: “We’re incredibly excited to be launching our new brand identity and logo for Baltimore-Maryland 2026. Representing every aspect of our diverse local communities is hugely important for us, especially as hosting matches at the FIFA 2026 World Cup would create a tremendous positive impact for both our city and state.
“TBC is a valued partner who has helped us capture Baltimore-Maryland’s unique and treasured history and distinct visual identity, and we are embracing this and incorporating it into every aspect of our bid. Baltimore’s “Hons”, Pink Flamingos and Blue-Green Crab are synonymous with our communities and we’re ready to welcome the world with our famed hospitality.”
Bill Ward, Executive Vice President, TBC, said: “As a Day One supporter of Baltimore-Maryland 2026 and a proud local business, it is a privilege to have worked with the BMD 2026 team on the bid’s brand identity and logo update, which uniquely reflects our city’s vibrant and inclusive culture. Incorporating the Baltimore Colors and unique icons, the new branding brings to life the bid’s vision of creating a real, tangible human legacy for our local communities.
“TBC has been part of the Baltimore-Maryland 2026 journey from the start and to be helping to bring the FIFA 2026 World Cup to our city and state for the very first time is a huge opportunity.”
[Source: Baltimore-Maryland 2026 World Cup Host Destination Delegation] -
Orlando hosts International Summer of Soccer as stars of the game head to Florida city
[Source: Greater Orlando Sports Commission] The FIFA 2026 World Cup™ candidate city of Orlando will play host to some of the biggest names in international soccer following the announcement of a series of world class matches to be hosted in the city.
Orlando’s Camping World Stadium has been chosen as the venue for the 2021 Florida Cup featuring 2020 FA Cup winners Arsenal, Everton from the English Premier League and this year’s Italian Serie A champions Inter Milan, alongside Millonarios FC, the all- conquering Colombian team.
“We are so happy to be able to bring such a powerful international lineup to Orlando as we connect Europe and South America once again at this summer’s event,” Florida Cup CEO Ricardo Villar said. “We look forward to delivering an outstanding training experience for our participating clubs, while also providing an exciting week of action and entertainment to local fans and club supporters in Central Florida for the festivities.”
The festival of football will take place on 25th and 28th July. Tickets went on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. ET on Thursday, June 3.
The news adds to the buzz around Orlando’s “Summer of Soccer”, which also sees the city playing host to international matches of the prestigious CONCACAF Gold Cup, also in July.
Jason Siegel, President & Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission said: “It’s turning into an incredible year for soccer in Orlando and we are pleased and proud that organisers – including CONCACAF, US Soccer and Florida Cup – are recognising this and putting their trust in us. We will deliver a great experience for players and fans alike.”
Mikel Arteta, the Manager of Arsenal FC praised the choice of venue: “We’re very pleased to see our pre-season plans ramping up with the announcement of our trip to the United States to take part in the Florida Cup. The tournament features three good sides that will provide strong opposition, and the training and matchday facilities in Orlando will provide a first-class environment for our preparations for next season.”
Giuseppe Marotta, CEO Sport, FC Internazionale Milano said: “We couldn’t be happier to add a pair of Florida Cup fixtures to our training schedule as we continue our Scudetto celebrations in the U.S. along with our first team. The entire club is excited for the upcoming trip to Orlando for a challenging pair of matches, and the organization is eager for the opportunity to celebrate alongside our many American supporters.”
Enrique Camacho, President, Millonarios FC said: “We are incredibly excited to play in this year’s Florida Cup alongside three of Europe’s most recognizable and accomplished teams, including Everton and stars James Rodriguez and Yerry Mina. It is a fitting challenge and a momentous occasion as we celebrate 75 years of history in Colombia, and we are hungry to compete in front of our fans in Orlando.”
Orlando established itself as the “go to” venue for top flight football during the recent Covid pandemic, where 24 MLS teams were able to meet and compete in perfect safety, across 51 matches and 34 days of soccer.
As spectators return to live sport, Orlando has been awarded six matches of the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup, to be played as three double-headers on the 12/16/20 July in Orlando’s purpose-built Exploria Stadium, the home of Orlando City SC.
There were more than 40 bids from major markets across the United States interested in hosting the region’s most prestigious soccer tournament. Orlando is one of only seven cities selected. -
Edmonton confirms increased public support for FIFA World Cup 2026 hosting
[Source: City of Edmonton] The City of Edmonton has announced a comprehensive and growing level of public support for their candidature to be a host city of the FIFA World Cup 2026™, taking place in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Collated feedback from surveys conducted in 2018 and 2020 show an increased level of public support for the hosting. Edmonton is one of three Canadian cities included in the United bid, alongside Montreal and Toronto, with the city’s Commonwealth Stadium having a capacity of 56,400 and located just minutes from the city centre.
Among the results, the surveys showed a 77% support among Edmonton residents for the hosting of the FIFA World Cup 2026™, an increase of 6% from 2018, with prime reasons for support being the economic boost (40%), exposure for the city (32%), and benefits for tourism (21%). More than 1,200 residents were randomly recruited for the survey, while an additional open-link survey was completed by more than 3,700 residents, showing an increased level of 93% favourability for the hosting (up from 89% in 2018).
The release of the survey data has provided an extra boost to the city’s aspirations to be confirmed as a host city for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ and serves as a positive reinforcement of its commitment to driving the recovery of sporting events following the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout the pandemic, Edmonton has played a leading role in North America in continuing to provide a platform for sports events, hosting events such as the NHL Stanley Cup Finals and the IIHF Junior World Championships, and receiving widespread praise for their handling of such occasions in a secure and safe environment.
On the surveys, Janelle Janis, Director of Edmonton Events said, “It is great to see public support for our hosting of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ continue to grow. In Edmonton, we have had fantastic experiences of hosting FIFA events, including the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2015, the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in 2014, the FIFA U-20 Men’s World Cup in 2007, and the FIFA U-19 Women’s World Championship in 2002, and we are incredibly excited for this next step. As these surveys help to show, we will be ready to welcome the world in 2026. With Edmonton, FIFA can truly expect the best.”
With FIFA’s final confirmation of host cities expected to be later this year, today Edmonton has launched their website for its 2026 candidature, to provide information about the city’s vision for hosting the World Cup, and to keep followers up to date with news. The website is available to view here.
Janelle Janis is speaking at Host City Americas online on 29-30 June – register here -
Sport is key driver of Orlando’s tourism recovery
[Orlando, Florida] Al Kidd, President & CEO of Sports ETA, the international association for the sports events and tourism industry, is one of a several influential voices hailing Orlando’s rapidly recovering tourism industry and identifying sport as a key driver.
“As we emerge from the restrictions and challenges of the pandemic and return to business, great cities like Orlando are poised to recover faster than others. Sports events and sports tourism in Orlando have shown to be the re-entry catalyst, generating new and much needed business”, he said.
Jesse Martinez, General Manager at The Alfond Inn, Chairman of the Central Florida Lodging Association Board of Directors, and Board Member at Visit Florida, agrees. “In my opinion, Central Florida has a tremendous head start on all other major city travel destinations. After seeing a huge influx of travelers this past spring break, we have not slowed down since.”
“Sports tourism was an early bright spot when Orlando began to reopen in the summer of 2020 as we hosted the NBA bubble, the MLS is Back Tournament and youth events such as the AAU’s Jr. National Volleyball Championship,” said Casandra Matej, president and CEO of Visit Orlando, who echoed the sentiments of Jesse Martinez by saying that “Orlando has a one-year head start”.
To underline this, the 2021 edition of the same AAU Youth Volleyball event – hosted just a few weeks ago – drew over 130,000 participants and visitors. Mark Tester, Executive Director at the Orange County Convention Center said: “The event drove one of our highest food and beverage totals in the Center’s history.”
Don Welsh, President and CEO of Destinations International, added: “All eyes were on Orlando during the pandemic as the NBA and MLS restarted their seasons. It was impressive to watch their collaborative community come together to host in the most trying of circumstances.”
Orlando believes its emphasis on encouraging sports-related travel and welcoming teams and players has been a game-changing factor in keeping its infrastructure ticking over.
“When business travel collapsed, some cities were saved by their youth and amateur sport travel business” said Jason Siegel, CEO of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission. “There is no doubt in my mind that sports tourism is a viable pathway for generating visitor spending and promoting a destination – which is why Orlando puts such a high priority on it”.
In normal times, Orlando has the largest tourism industry in the USA, producing $26 billion a year, exceeding Las Vegas with $19 million. One in five workers in Orlando (21%) worked directly in hospitality and leisure in 2019. When COVID-19 struck, the unemployment rate skyrocketed. “Our neighbors at Port Canaveral, who derive significant revenue from the cruise industry, lost 43% of their workforce,” said Siegel.
But as life normalizes, the recovery is swift, much more so than many anticipated. Hotels are taking bookings; forward occupancy is very promising and optimism abounds.
According to a study authored by Adam Sacks of Tourism Economics, hotel room demand overall has reached 89% of 2019 figures and air passengers are at 71% (June 2021). Leisure trips will be nearly back to pre-pandemic levels in 2022, although business will take longer. He has said: “Overall, sports are outperforming the market as youth sports have returned well before other business-related events. In fact, we are hearing from clients that sports have been the star performer in what has been an otherwise dismal market”
Orlando, one of 17 US candidate host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup™, is hoping to be selected for the final 10. “I believe our reputation as a collaborative tourism community and reliable partner to sport – and our popularity as a destination – suggest we surely deserve a place” Siegel summed up.