FC Series to Feature Orlando City SC Alongside Brazilian Powers São Paulo, Atlético Mineiro and Cruzeiro in January
ORLANDO, Florida (Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024) — Three Brazilian soccer clubs—São Paulo FC, Atlético Mineiro and Cruzeiro— will visit Florida in January as part of the FC Series. The event, which commemorates its 10-year anniversary in 2025, will hearken back to its Florida Cup roots with four exhibition matches in the state. The lineup includes São Paulo FC’s return to Florida and the first edition of Superclássico Mineiro between Atlético and Cruzeiro to be played in the U.S., as well as a showdown between Atlético and Orlando City SC, fresh off its 2024 MLS playoff run.
Over the past decade, the FC Series has stood out in the United States as one of the leading platforms for activation and support for major global football clubs. Most recently, the FC Series hosted Manchester City’s four-city U.S. tour this past summer. To date, Brazil has featured the most participating clubs with eight, followed by Germany and the United Kingdom (five each).
“To celebrate a decade of FC Series competition by hosting three of Brazil’s biggest clubs holds special meaning for us, as Brazil is where this incredible journey began,” said FC Series CEO Ricardo Villar. “And as we’ve seen over the past 10 years, the presence of these traditional powers will drive fans from different markets and provide an electric atmosphere in stadiums.”
Longtime FC Series sponsor Universal Orlando Resort will support the event as part of its longstanding partnership.
The upcoming edition will introduce two new partners. Inter&Co will kick off Inter&Co Soccer Week, which will feature the three FC Series matches at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando.
Azul Airlines is the newest partner in the tourism segment, serving as the official airline of the event. The company will provide more details about its support for the tournament in the coming days.
A full list of January 2025 FC Series matches in Florida, including Orlando and Fort Lauderdale, is available below. Additional information, including broadcast details and remaining participants, will be announced in due course. A full media kit, including logos, matchup graphics, highlights and other media resources, is available here.
The January 2025 lineup will kick off with a Brazilian football classic, as São Paulo and Cruzeiro start their respective preseasons with a friendly on Wednesday, Jan. 15. That match at Inter&Co Stadium will be Cruzeiro’s first contest in the U.S. in 11 years and marks the club’s FC Series debut.
São Paulo, meanwhile, will be participating in the FC Series for the third time after winning the Florida Cup tournament in 2017 and returning in 2019, when it faced Ajax from the Netherlands and Eintracht Frankfurt from Germany. The club will also compete in a second FC Series match on Jan. 19 at Chase Stadium, home of Inter Miami, against an opponent to be announced.
One day earlier, on Saturday, Jan. 18, Atlético and Cruzeiro will play the first "Superclássico Mineiro" ever hosted in the U.S. The match will mark Atlético’s fourth year participating in the FC Series after winning the 2016 Florida Cup and returning in 2017 and 2018. Atlético will then conclude its 2025 preseason slate with a match at Orlando City on Jan. 25. The winner of this matchup will take home the inaugural Inter&Co Trophy, which will be contested annually during the FC Series at Inter&Co Stadium, the home of Orlando City.
Presale information for all matches is available now at FCSeries.com. Tickets will go on sale to the public starting Thursday, Oct. 31.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING:
Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings:
“We are thrilled to welcome three of Brazil’s most prestigious soccer clubs to Orange County for a collection matches at Inter&Co Stadium as FC Series celebrates a decade of impact in Central Florida next January. These friendlies, including a classic Brazilian rivalry game and a showcase featuring hometown team Orlando City, will attract passionate soccer fans from every corner of our community and many visitors from South America and around the world. Over the past 10 years, Orlando has consistently demonstrated its appeal as a premier destination for high-profile international soccer friendlies, and events like these help bolster the area's thriving tourism industry and solidify our community's standing as a global hub for sports, culture and entertainment."
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer:
"Hosting big international soccer matches over the years has played a role in Orlando becoming the top sports event destination in the country. It's wonderful that the FC Series is growing to add friendlies in January and we're looking forward to welcoming three of the most recognizable Brazilian soccer clubs and their fans to downtown Orlando. The matches will be another great opportunity to showcase our city's vibrancy, diversity and commitment to inclusion."
Orlando City SC, Orlando Pride & Inter&Co Stadium President of Business Operations Jarrod Dillon:
"We are very excited to again collaborate with our partners at FC Series to host three excellent matches at Inter&Co Stadium, welcoming a trio of top Brazilian clubs in addition to participation from our Orlando City Lions. We are especially grateful to our partners at Inter&Co for supporting this week of soccer, including the opportunity to compete for the first-ever Inter&Co Trophy against a top side in Atlético Mineiro."
Inter&Co Global CEO João Vitor Menin:
“We are very excited to host Brazilian soccer in Florida, where thousands of Brazilians live. With a soccer week at Inter&Co Stadium, we are kicking off an event that will celebrate local communities, visiting tourists, and reinforce our commitment to providing seamless experiences and benefits to our more than 34 million customers and partners, whether in Brazil or the U.S. This includes exclusive experiences, ticket discounts, early access to ticket sales, and more to be announced on @Inter_co's Instagram.”
Atlético Mineiro CEO Bruno Muzzi:
"It is a great pleasure for Atlético to return to the United States for the 2025 FC Series, especially in this special edition celebrating the event's tenth anniversary. We have a large fan base in the U.S., and reconnecting with them will be very important. In addition to promoting the Club's brand in the American market and opening new opportunities, we will have access to excellent facilities to prepare for the 2025 competitions."
Cruzeiro CEO Alexandre Mattos:
“Cruzeiro is honored to take part in such a renowned event as the FC Series 2025. This will give us the opportunity to prepare for the upcoming season at a top level, making use of excellent facilities and further strengthening the team's unity. Moreover, it’s a chance to expand our brand internationally, explore new revenue streams, and engage with Cruzeiro fans living in North America. In the past decade, Cruzeiro conducted part of its preseason in the U.S., which led to outstanding results, culminating in titles at the season’s end. We hope this return to the country will bring us similar success.”
São Paulo FC President Julio Cesar Casares:
“We are very pleased to accept the invitation from the FC Series to hold our training and preseason matches for 2025 in the United States, the host country for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. We will proudly bring our colors and crest to North America, positioning São Paulo FC in this key market within the global soccer scene.”
Florida Citrus Sports President Sharon Line Clary:
“We are thrilled to welcome three of Brazil’s premier soccer clubs to Orlando for next January’s FC Series. Since Florida Citrus Sports and Florida Cup joined forces in 2021, we’ve seen remarkable growth together, with FC Series playing a major role in making Central Florida a prime destination for international soccer. The January FC Series lineup underlines Florida Citrus Sports’ commitment to bringing world-class soccer to the region, and we’re excited for the opportunity to connect our community with the passion and excitement of Brazilian football once again.”
Visit Orlando President and CEO Casandra Matej
"Orlando continues to create new opportunities for sports fans worldwide, hosting top international clubs with the FC Series in January and the FIFA Club World Cup in the summer of 2025. Brazilians have a strong affinity for Orlando, and by bringing three Brazilian clubs to the FC Series, there are even more reasons for our Brazilian visitors to enjoy our destination, both in the stadium and beyond."
About FC Series / Florida Cup
The largest annual international soccer event in the Sunshine State, the FC Series is a global platform that combines sports and entertainment. In 2023, the event was broadcast live to over 100 countries. Across social networks, content posted by official event pages and shared worldwide reached more than 100 million people. In 2022, the event expanded to the FC Series featuring multiple matches across the United States. For more information on the FC Series, visit FCSeries.com, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.
About Florida Citrus Sports
Florida Citrus Sports is a not-for-profit event management organization dedicated to positively impacting the Orlando region while enhancing the quality of life in Central Florida through world-class events, including the Cheez-it Citrus Bowl, the Pop Tarts Bowl, the Florida Blue Florida Classic, the FC Series and the Camping World Kickoff. For more information, visit FloridaCitrusSports.com.
About Orlando City SC
Orlando City SC joined Major League Soccer (MLS) as the league's 21st franchise in November 2013, becoming the first MLS team in the Southeast. The Lions began league play in March 2015, and in 2017, moved into its privately-owned downtown soccer stadium. In 2022, Orlando City SC re-launched OCB as a founding member of MLS NEXT Pro to bridge the gap between its successful youth development academy and the First Team. In November 2015, the Club announced its intention to bring professional women's soccer to Central Florida and launched Orlando Pride in National Women's Soccer League. The Pride began league play in April 2016 with a star-studded team of FIFA World Cup Champions. For more information, visit orlandocitysc.com or orlando-pride.com.
About Atlético Mineiro
Clube Atlético Mineiro is one of the biggest soccer club in Brazil. Founded on March 25, 1908, it has always been at the forefront of Brazilian soccer. Today, it is a modern club with professional management, recently transformed into a Soccer Corporation (Sociedade Anônima do Futebol). In 2023, the club inaugurated Arena MRV, a stadium with a capacity of 46,000 fans, featuring innovative aspects of sustainability, inclusion, and technology. On the field, Galo is among the most successful teams in Brazilian and South American soccer, having won 14 official titles in the past 13 years, including the Copa Libertadores, Recopa Sudamericana, Supercopa do Brasil, Campeonato Brasileiro, and Copa do Brasil.
About Cruzeiro
Cruzeiro Esporte Clube is one of the most traditional clubs in South America, recognized by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) as the Best Brazilian Club of the 20th Century. The club has an impressive trophy collection, featuring two Copa Libertadores titles, two Supercopa Libertadores, four Brazilian Championships, and six Copa do Brasil titles, making it the tournament's most successful team. Additionally, Cruzeiro has won numerous regional championships and enjoys the support of a passionate fan base of around 13 million, who show their loyalty at games, whether at the Mineirão stadium or any other venue where the team plays. In December 2021, Cruzeiro became one of the first clubs in Brazil to adopt the Football Corporation model, and since May 2024, businessman Pedro Lourenço has been the majority shareholder and president.
About São Paulo
São Paulo Futebol Clube, founded on January 25, 1930, is Brazil's most successful team in international competitions and the only club in the country to have claimed victories in every major football tournament. It proudly holds three world championships (1992, 1993, and 2005) and was the first club in Brazil to win the Copa Libertadores, the most prestigious trophy in South American football, three times. With a fan base of around 20 million, the club is globally recognized for its three colors (red, white, and black) and for being a breeding ground for international stars, many of whom have represented Brazil and won World Cup titles.
About Inter&Co Stadium
Opened in March 2017, Inter&Co Stadium is home to Orlando City of Major League Soccer (MLS) and Orlando Pride of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). The soccer-specific stadium is located in the heart of Downtown Orlando and was the first MLS stadium to open with five consecutive victories.
Inter&Co Stadium was 100 percent privately funded at a cost of $155 million. It features a 360-degree lower bowl, North America’s first safe-standing supporters’ section – dubbed “The Wall” – and a four-sided canopy roof to keep the noise in and weather out. In Section 12, there are 49 rainbow-colored seats to memorialize the victims of the tragedy at Pulse Night Club. The stadium also houses the Club’s Front Office.
Since its opening, the venue had already seen a number of guest experience upgrades, highlighted by the “Orlando Made” food and beverage program, featuring local favorites for fans to enjoy all that the City Beautiful has to offer under one roof.
To date, the stadium has hosted U.S. Men’s National Team's 2018 & 2022 World Cup Qualifiers, the U.S. Women's National Team in the 2018, 2020 & 2023 SheBelieves Cup, as well as the 2017 NWSL Championship, 2017 NCAA Women’s College Cup, 2018 & 2019 MLS Combines, multiple editions of the Florida Cup, the 2019 MLS All-Star Game, the 2019, 2021 & 2022 Cure Bowl, the Orlando Philharmonic and the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games Opening Ceremony.
Media Contacts:
Sam Gardner (ENG), FC Series | sgardner@fcsports.com
Patricia Maldonado (POR), FC Series | imprensa@floridacup.com
Jackie Maynard, Orlando City SC | jmaynard@orlandocitysc.com
Paulo Galdier, São Paulo Futebol Clube | paulo.amaral@saopaulofc.net
Diogo Kotscho, Clube Atlético Mineiro | diogo.kotscho@atletico.com.br
Bruno Faleiro, Cruzeiro Esporte Clube | bruno.faleiro@cruzeiro.com.br
