Orlando’s drive to solidify itself as a sports entertainment destination might be getting a dropkick in the right direction.
Orange County commissioners pledged $29.46 million Tuesday for the return of WrestleMania to Orlando in 2031 and the chance to host 2027 Jacksonville Jaguars games.
Commissioners voted 6-1 to approve the pledge that would come from tourist development tax incentive funds. It would be paid out only if Orlando secures the deals.
The sizable sum comes as sports entertainment company TKO Group Holdings (owner of both World Wrestling Entertainment and the Ultimate Fighting Championship) is in talks with several cities bidding to host the pro wrestling event while the Jacksonville pro football stadium preps to undergo a $1.4 billion renovation.
President and CEO of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission Jason Siegal said in Tuesday’s meeting the city is looking to bring both WrestleMania and Royal Rumble to Orlando. Siegal estimated the events would draw fans from across the U.S. and world, and could generate more than $225 million for the county (compared to the $18 million bid fee required by TKO).
As for the Jags, commissioners agreed to pledge up to $11 million to persuade the NFL to pick Camping World Stadium to host 2027 season games before Jacksonville’s EverBank Stadium renovations are completed. The upgrades are estimated to take three years to complete, placing the team back in Jacksonville in 2028.
Steve Hogan, Florida Citrus Sports CEO, said hosting the Jaguars is a huge opportunity to bring games that count in league standings to the city. Orlando’s Citrus Bowl has seen preseason pro games and the NFL Pro Bowl.
He says the decision where to temporarily host the season needs approval from at least 75 percent of NFL owners.
Commissioner Kelly Semrad ultimately cast the sole “no” vote after expressing concern that the Jaguars would not attract enough out-of-town and overnight fans to warrant the investment. The team’s research indicates it has a sizable fan base already in Orlando, which wouldn’t contribute to the county’s tourist development tax dollars, as traveling visitors would.
Commissioners additionally approved incentive funding for other sports entertainment events including $400,000 for the AAU Junior National Volleyball Championship; $40,000 for the USA Fencing’s 2026 North American Cup; and $25,000 for Pride Cup marketing.
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This article appears in Apr 23-29, 2025.
