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An event Monday to announce the Orlando area’s selection as the “Best Sports Business City for Attracting and Hosting Events” included Osceola County Commission Chair Cheryl Grieb (third from right). PHOTO/GREATER ORLANDO SPORTS COMMISSION
If you hold a sporting event and expect a crowd of those from around the country, Orlando and the surrounding area are the place to have it.
That from Sports Business Journal (SBJ), which ranked the area at the top of its list of the Best Sports Business Cities for Attracting and Hosting Events.
And, Osceola County had a hand in that. An announcement event was held Monday at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports— located in Osceola County—and Osceola County Commission Chair Cheryl Grieb was an invited dignitary.
These rankings are the result of an extensive database, including 1,500 events that took place or were awarded from January 1, 2017, through December 31, 2023, while considering cities with their own convention space, sports venues, and dedicated sports commission staff as stand-alone markets.
The Orlando market beat out Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Indianapolis.
“Orlando’s elevation to the top spot in this year’s rankings is a testament to the vibrant collaboration between world-class venues, dedicated sports commissions, and the enthusiastic community that makes Orlando a standout destination for sports business,” said Abe Madkour, publisher and executive editor at SBJ. “Congratulations to Orlando and all the cities on the list who are making such a positive business impact in their local markets and nationwide.”
Osceola County features a number of venues that bring athletes and teams to the area, such as Wide World of Sports, Austin-Tindall Sports Complex,and Osceola Heritage Park.
“Osceola County Sports is proud to contribute to the amazing sports landscape here in Central Florida,” said Jessica Beers, Executive Director of the Kissimmee Sports Commission. “We are proud of our collaborative community and grateful to work alongside so many exceptional sports leaders who work so hard to bring so many impactful sporting events to our region.”
“On behalf of the Chairman of our Board, Sharon Line Clary, the 119 board members at the Greater Orlando Sports Commission, and our partners at the City of Orlando and Lake, Seminole, Orange and Osceola Counties, thank you to Abe and the leadership team at Sports Business Journal for recognizing our inclusive and collaborate sports tourism community,” said Jason Siegel, President and CEO of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission. “Being at the forefront of event hosting is not just an honor for us; it’s a reflection of our dedication to providing athletes, fans, and stakeholders with exceptional experiences and world-class hospitality.”
The full list and the methodology behind their rankings can be found in the March 18, 2024, edition of Sports Business Journal.
