Orlando City Soccer has a slew of big events ahead of it, and that now includes a new deal with the House of Mouse.
The team announced March 4 that Walt Disney World has signed on as a founding sponsor in a multi-year partnership that also will help to promote youth sports. The announcement comes just a few days before the team's Major League Soccer debut on March 8.
Under the terms of the deal, Walt Disney World will become the official theme park and resort destination of Orlando City Soccer Club, while Disney Cruise Lines and Disney Vacation Club become the official cruise line and vacation club for the team, respectively.
In addition, the deal helps Disney further tap into foreign travel markets such as Brazil and other Latin American countries that are home to plenty of soccer fans.
"This collaboration further strengthens the existing bond between the two Orlandos — the one known around the world as Disney theme parks and the metropolitan, vibrant growing downtown represented by purple pride," said Phil Rawlins, founder and president of Orlando City Soccer, in a prepared statement. "Over 60 million tourists visited Orlando last year — with many coming from Brazil. There's a natural synergy here to showcase all the wonder tat is the City Beautiful. We also look forward to jointly hosting additional high-profile soccer events at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Disney through this relationship to the benefit of our fans, our community and the region."
Meanwhile, Rawlins shared new details about the upcoming MLS game on March 8. Not only has the game at the Orlando Citrus Bowl sold out, but the team has added another 2,000 standing tickets.
