International Soccer Returns to Orlando!

International Soccer Returns to Orlando!

~ Eight premier clubs from Europe and South America will battle for the Florida Cup ~

~ 10-day celebration of football and entertainment includes Fan Fest at Universal Orlando Resort, FC MAST Youth Tournament and FC All-Star Game at Montverde Academy ~

~ Tickets and information available at www.FloridaCup.com ~

ORLANDO, Fla. – Jan. 9, 2018 – The wait is officially over. The 2018 international soccer calendar kicks off with the fourth annual Florida Cup. At the official kickoff press conference at Universal Orlando’s Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer joined Florida Cup CEO Ricardo Villar, Universal Orlando Resort President and COO Bill Davis, Montverde Academy Headmaster Dr. Kasey Kesselring, and special guests including executives from each of the eight participating teams: PSV Eindhoven (NED), Rangers FC (SCO), Legia Warsaw (POL), Atlético Nacional (COL), Barcelona SC (ECU), SC Corinthians (BRA), Atlético Mineiro (BRA) and Fluminense (BRA).

The Florida Cup starts January 10 in thundering fashion, as Brazilian Serie A 2017 Champions SC Corinthians face for the first time in history the current Eredivisie leaders PSV Eindhoven, and their red-hot striker Mexican international Hirving “Chucky” Lozano. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Tickets to the opening match and all Florida Cup events are available at www.FloridaCup.com.

“The City of Orlando is honored and proud to be the host city for the 2018 Florida Cup,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.  “There is no doubt that our region has become the nation’s premier sports destination by hosting high-quality events like the Florida Cup that bring visitors to our shops, restaurants, hotels and amenities, serving an economic engine for our community.”

 “We couldn’t be more excited about giving our visitors from around the world the opportunity to enjoy it all in one place – theme park thrills, the passion of soccer and amazing entertainment,” said Bill Davis, President and COO, Universal Orlando Resort. “Partnering with the Florida Cup and hosting events like the Florida Cup Fan Fest at Universal Studios Florida is just another way of showing our commitment to continue delivering world-class entertainment to our guests every day.”

“Months and months of preparations has led us to today and the launch of our biggest Florida Cup yet,” said Villar. “We are thrilled with the fan and media response we have seen thus far, and incredibly proud of the work we have accomplished with our partners at the City of Orlando, Universal Orlando Resort, UCF, Montverde Academy and the entire Florida Cup family. The time is here to kick off this exciting event, and draw the world’s attention to the City Beautiful and our entire state.”

Brazil’s Clube Atlético Mineiro will face the legendary Rangers FC from Scotland on January 11 at Orlando City Stadium. The event returns to Spectrum Stadium at the University of Central Florida, with marquee matchups between PSV and Fluminense of Brazil, the Rangers FC face Corinthians on Jan. 13, and Atlético Nacional against Atlético Mineiro on Jan. 14.

It will be a battle of loyal fans in South Florida as Barcelona SC, 2017 Copa Libertadores semifinalists, face Legia Warsaw, the current leader of Poland’s First Division, at Central Broward Stadium on January 13. Al Lang Stadium, home of the USL’s Tampa Bay Rowdies, will host the final match of the Florida Cup in St. Petersburg on January 20 when Legia Warsaw face Colombia’s Atlético Nacional of Medellin.

In addition to world class soccer, the 10-day event will feature:

Ø  Florida Cup and Universal Orlando Resort will host the annual Florida Cup Fan Fest – a two night celebration of music and football featuring live music and concerts by Boyce Avenue and Fernando & Sorocaba.

Ø  Florida Cup and Montverde Academy will host the youth FC MAST tournament and Florida Cup All-Star Game Jan. 9 at 7 p.m.

About The Florida Cup:

The Florida Cup is the largest annual international celebration of soccer held in the Sunshine State. A global platform that combines sports and entertainment, the event draws the best international clubs with a world-wide fan base, leading international sponsors like adidas, Lennar Homes and Universal Orlando Resorts, and is broadcast live across five continents. The 2018 event will feature popular soccer clubs from Europe and Latin America such as Rangers FC from Scotland, PSV Eindhoven from the Netherlands, Poland’s Legia Warsaw, Atlético Nacional of Colombia, Barcelona SC of Ecuador, and Brazilian powerhouses including 2017 Serie A Champions SC Corinthians. The world’s premier players and passionate fans will convene in Central Florida January 10 – 20, 2018 for a final pre-season tune-up and kickoff to a World Cup year.

For more information on the Florida Cup including tickets, visit www.floridacup.com, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About Universal Orlando Resort Universal Orlando Resort is a unique vacation destination that is part of the NBCUniversal Comcast family. For more than 25 years, Universal Orlando has been creating epic vacations for the entire family – incredible experiences that place guests in the heart of powerful stories and adventures. 

Universal Orlando’s three theme parks, Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Universal’s Volcano Bay, are home to some of the world’s most exciting and innovative theme park experiences – including The Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Hogsmeade and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Diagon Alley. Universal Orlando’s on-site hotels, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, the Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort and Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort, feature a total of 5,600 rooms and are destinations unto themselves. Its entertainment complex, Universal CityWalk, offers dining and entertainment for every member of the family.

Universal Orlando Resort consistently unveils all-new guest experiences, including powerful attractions, incredible dining opportunities and dramatically themed hotels. Now open is Universal’s Volcano Bay, an entirely new water theme park, and Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon, an immersive and interactive attraction in Universal Studios Florida.

Universal Orlando Resort is part of NBCUniversal, a Comcast company. Follow us on our blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.