ORLANDO, Fla.— Orlando was recently named by Sports Business Journal as the No. 1 Best Sports business city for attracting and hosting events, in part to being home to the Orlando Magic basketball team and the Orlando City Pride soccer teams, along with some of the nation’s top premier tennis center and college football teams.
“Orlando’s elevation to the top spot in this year’s rankings is a testament to the vibrant synergy between world-class venues, dedicated sports commissions, and the enthusiastic community that makes Orlando a standout destination for sports business,” says Abe Madkour, publisher and executive editor at Sports Business Journal.
From its early days when the city first hosted varsity men’s basketball in 1969, to its inaugural season in the Big 12 Conference in 2023, the city’s UCF team has skyrocketed to unprecedented success, providing a pipeline for some of the nation’s biggest sports brands.
“Over the years, sports have helped bring our community together and showcase Orlando’s vibrancy and commitment to inclusion,” says City of Orlando mayor Buddy Dyer. “By allowing us to welcome more visitors to our region, sports also drive economic growth by giving a boost to our hospitality industry and small businesses. From our hometown teams like the UCF Knights to the many regional, national, and international events that we host, sports play an important role in our community.”
UCF Vice President and Director of Athletics Terry Mohajir says the strong collaborations within Orlando are a significant reason why so many events, including those at UCF, are successful.
“We are thankful to be in a community where our leaders dream big and work closely together for the benefit of our region’s economic development, quality of life and community spirit,” Mohajir says. “We also appreciate the many coaches, student-athletes, donors and fans who have driven the tremendous growth and success in our UCF athletics program. We are proud to represent Orlando in a Power Four conference and the economic and social benefits it provides to our region.”
