Orlando wants more soccer in its future, and now local leaders have their sights set on attracting an international soccer tournament.
The city of Orlando, Orlando City Soccer Club and the Central Florida Sports Commission announced a partnership to bring matches of the popular Latin American soccer tournament, Copa America Centenario USA 2016, to the Orlando Citrus Bowl. The United States will be the host country of the games.
The games pit six teams from the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football and the 10 teams of the Confederacion Sudamericana de Futbol, including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.
According to a USSoccer.com report, Orlando is among 24 metropolitan cities in the mix for the games, including Tampa and Jacksonville. In addition, the cities that already have a Major League Soccer team are also in the mix to host matches.
'A major event of this magnitude delivers extensive economic benefits to the Central Florida region while solidifying the area's reputation as the 'Soccer Capital of the South.' We look forward to working closely with our partners through the bid process and securing Orlando's place in this historic championship,' said Orlando City founder and President Phil Rawlins, in a prepared statement.
The economic impact of these games have yet to be quantified, but it would be the largest soccer event Central Florida would host since the 1994 World Cup, said Central Florida Sports Commission President and CEO John Bisignano Jr.
The deadline for the bid is March 16, with between 8-13 stadiums selected to host announced by May.
Covers tourism, hospitality and sports business
Title : Orlando bids for 2016 Copa America soccer tournament
Description : Orlando wants more soccer in its future, and now local leaders have their sights set on attracting an international soccer tournament. T...