Orlando: A Sports Enthusiast’s Haven

orlando sports. This is an image of the Exploria Stadium located in Downtown Orlando.

As a city known for its world-class theme parks, expansive resort options and thriving food scene, Orlando has a new dimension to add to its packed playbook: top-notch sporting events, venues and activities. And being one of the country’s top destinations for recreation according to WalletHub, Orlando delivers incredible opportunities for active visitors and sports enthusiasts. Between the temperate weather of Central Florida and the steady influx of domestic and international visitors, Orlando welcomes fans of all kinds to get hyped over their favorite players and teams or join in and play themselves.

SOCCER

In 2021, Orlando was named one of the top cities for soccer fans by Wallethub.com due to low-cost tickets, engagement of fans and stadium capacity. MLS Team, Orlando City Soccer Club, plays March through October in the 25,000-seat EXPLORIA Stadium in downtown Orlando. Sharing the stadium is the Orlando Pride, Orlando’s women’s soccer team, which plays April through October. In addition to MLS and NWSL games, Orlando is a regular host of international matches including The Florida Cup, an annual tournament.

FOOTBALL

For football and international soccer fans, the 75,000-seat Camping World Stadium in downtown Orlando gives visitors a superb spectator experience. The VRBO Citrus Bowl, The Florida Blue Florida Classic and the Camping World Kickoff are all played at the Camping World Stadium. The Cactus Bowl features teams from the ACC & Big 12 conferences.

The ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World ®Resort  hosts over 60 sports and thousands of events for athletes of all ages and abilities.

BASKETBALL

The NBA’s Orlando Magic is the city’s most famous sports team. Fans can find them at home games October through April in the amenity-loaded Amway Center, an 18,846-seat venue, and one of the most technologically advanced in the world. Offering VIP appointments like mid-level luxury and club seating, a stunning art collection, massive scoreboard and several restaurants and bars, the flexible venue is an inviting space for diehard fans and celebrities alike to cheer for Orlando teams.

HOCKEY

In addition to the Magic, the Amway Center is home to the Orlando Solar Bears, an affiliate of the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning and members of the ECHL, the premier “AA” hockey league in North America. In seven seasons of operation, the team has qualified for the Kelly Cup Playoffs five times. Regular season runs November through April.

GOLF

Orlando has a long history of golf lovers choosing the area for their retreats, vacations and retirement homes. Arnold Palmer – one of the world’s most beloved golfers – not only started his own resort and golf course in Orlando but founded the Golf Channel here. Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge is just one of more than 150 golf courses in the Orlando area, many from celebrated course designers, and some featuring academies helmed by nationally recognized instructors. Major tournaments call Orlando home including the Arnold Palmer Invitational golf tournament, which benefits the Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital in Orlando, and The Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions, an official LPGA event held at Tranquilo Golf Course at Four Seasons Golf and Sports Club Orlando.

Both casual and competitive golfers will love Orlando’s variety of golf entertainment venues. Centrally located on International Drive, Top Golf Orlando is a state-of-the-art golf range facility, with three-levels and 102 climate-controlled hitting bays for up to six players each. Nearby Orlando International Airport and Orlando’s Medical City, Drive Shack Orlando offers 90 full-service, all-weather bays and unlimited golf balls.

TENNIS

In 2017, Orlando became the new home of American tennis, when the United States Tennis Association (USTA) opened a campus in the Lake Nona area of Orlando. The 63-acre complex encompasses more than 100 courts (hard and clay) and a multi-use building with a pro shop, fitness center, locker rooms, cafeteria and players’ lounge.

COLLEGE SPORTS

For intercollegiate sports enthusiasts, the University of Central Florida; members of the American Athletic Conference; and Rollins College, an NCAA Division II school in Winter Park; offer a full slate of athletic event spectator opportunities at top-notch arenas and stadiums.

ESPORTS

In 2019, Orlando’s Full Sail University opened the largest on-campus collegiate esports arena in the U.S. The arena, known as The Fortress, accommodates 100 esport athletes playing simultaneously, with over 500 spectators watching live.

THEMED RACES

Racing through a theme park gains new meaning through participating in of the unique running events at Orlando’s world-famous theme parks. With castle views, character interactions and a race that raises money for conservation, a medal has never been so rewarding.

runDisney hosts four race weekends throughout the year that include 5ks, 10ks, half and full marathon options. Race participants run through the Disney parks and can celebrate at the end by enjoying a Disney vacation. runDisney is one of the most popular race organizers in the United States, with more than 188,000 runners participating in events throughout the year.
Running Universal’s Epic Character Race in June 2022 is a fun way to meet favorite characters, take home brag-worthy medals and enjoy an unforgettable 5K and 10K race weekend.

The Furry Friends Fun Run at SeaWorld Orlando in November gives runners the opportunity to enjoy the sights, sounds and everyone’s favorite Sesame Street friends while traveling around the park’s picturesque pathways and right through the iconic Sesame Street neighborhood.

Find more sports events on the Visit Orlando Events Calendar.

About Visit Orlando

Visit Orlando is The Official Tourism Association ®for Orlando, the most visited destination in the United States and Theme Park Capital of the World ®. Visit Orlando connects consumers with every segment of Central Florida’s travel community, whether for a vacation or meeting. Home to seven of the world’s top theme parks — as well as refreshing water parks, outdoor thrill rides, activities to connect with nature, and a dynamic dining and entertainment scene — Orlando is welcoming to travelers of all ages. With 40 hotels, visitors have choices that span multi-acre resorts to themed boutique hotels. Orlando’s trusted theme parks, attractions, hotels and businesses have developed comprehensive safety measures and worked closely with medical experts to create safe travel experiences. Find more information at VisitOrlando.com.