Orange County Approves Funding for Orlando Soccer Stadium to be Built

- Michelle Snow

The Orange County Board of County Commissioners met on Tuesday, October 22, and approved a plan that will provide funding for a new soccer stadium to be built in downtown Orlando.

Orlando City Soccer ClubThe vote was 5-2 to approve a plan to use tourist tax dollars to help fund the stadium as part of a larger venues package, which includes the second phase of the Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center, and renovations to the Citrus Bowl.

This clears the way to for the Orlando City Soccer Club ( aka Orlando Lions) to become a Major League Soccer team, pending negotiations between the team and the MLS.

“We are ecstatic about the positive vote,” said Orlando City President Phil Rawlins. “Our fans have been the driving force behind the effort to bring MLS to Orlando. This one is for them.”

A franchise could be awarded as early as November. The Lions would then begin play in MLS in Spring 2015. The stadium will be located at the northeast corner where Church St. and Parramore Ave intersect.

Here is a video of the vote as it happened:

httpv://youtu.be/WSaVAiNHsvk

About Michelle Snow

Michelle is the owner and editor of CitySurfing Orlando. She also owns Zengrrl.com, is a freelance writer specializing in travel and entertainment, has authored/co-authored four guidebooks on Orlando and Florida, and was head editor/writer at TheDisneyBlog.com for 10 years. She's lived in Orlando near Walt Disney World since 1995, and still finds there's so much fun to be had in Central Florida.
Scroll To Top