ORLANDO, Fla. – Nov. 19, 2015 – The City Beautiful was announced today as an official host city for the Copa America Centenario 2016. Set to be held in venues across the United States from June 3-26, the 2016 edition signifies the 100-year anniversary of the highly popular South American tournament.
Orlando’s massive support for professional soccer significantly contributed to this successful bid. As a way to say thanks, Orlando City SC, Orlando Pride and Orlando City B season ticket holders, along with members of other sports-related organizations who contributed to making Orlando the “Soccer Capital of the South,” will be eligible for an exclusive private sale. More information on the ticket allocation process will be communicated in the coming weeks. For more information, fans can visit www.ca2016.com.
Orlando City SC, the Central Florida Sports Commission, Orlando Venues and Orange County Government worked in partnership to bring the prestigious Latin American championship to the Orlando Citrus Bowl, and to Central Florida, for the first time in its history. In addition, partnerships with Florida Citrus Sports, tourism leaders and the local business community were integral in securing the event.
“From the international tourism, to the significant impact for our local economy and the sheer excitement for the game of soccer, today's announcement is another big win for Orlando," said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. "We spent the better part of last year completely reconstructing the Orlando Citrus Bowl so that we could host more high-profile events like this and I'm proud we continue to deliver on that promise.”
“Hosting the Copa America Centenario at the Orlando Citrus Bowl is a great example of what our community can accomplish when we come together for a common goal,” said Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs. “These events are not only exciting opportunities for our residents, but will draw thousands of people from across the world benefiting our local economy. The tournament is expected to draw approximately 40,000 room nights and projected to yield $30 million in economic impact to Orange County.”
“We are competing against top tier sports destinations across the country to host events of this caliber and fulfill our mission of driving visitors to Central Florida,” said Central Florida Sports Commission President and CEO John Bisignano. “Being selected as one of 11 host venues for the tournament is a testament to the first class venues and outstanding teamwork by our community partners.”
Featuring the top stars from the Confederación Sudamericana de Fútbol (CONMEBOL) and the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) regions – such as five-time FIFA World Cup champion Brazil, and three-time FIFA World Player of the Year Lionel Messi of Argentina – this year’s Copa America marks the first time this premier event has been staged outside of South America.
The 2016 Copa America Centenario will feature six teams from CONCACAF and all 10 teams from CONMEBOL: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.
From CONCACAF, host USA and Mexico are automatic qualifiers, while Costa Rica (2014 Copa Centroamericana winner) and Jamaica (2014 Caribbean Cup winner) qualified this fall.
The final two teams from CONCACAF will be determined in a double-header playoff set to be disputed Jan. 8, 2016, in Panama City. Trinidad & Tobago will face Haiti, and Panama squares off against Cuba with the winners qualifying for the Copa America Centenario.
“Our historic inaugural season in Major League Soccer (MLS), along with the men’s and women’s international friendlies that have been held at the Orlando Citrus Bowl, continue to showcase that this market is a hotbed for high-level soccer. We’re looking forward to another successful event that will certainly bring added economic benefit to this city,” said Orlando City Founder and President Phil Rawlins.”
