Orlando City SC has announced a new deal with Exploria Resorts, for the brand to become its first-ever naming rights partner.

The deal will give the firm significant branding at 25,500 seat soccer-specific stadium located in the heart of Downtown Orlando.

Orlando City SC CEO Alex Leitão commented on the deal: “We are thrilled to have Exploria Resorts join the Orlando City SC family. As a club based in the most visited city in the world, and one that has fans who support our teams around the globe, we are excited to partner with a Central Florida-based company that provides world-class travel and hospitality experiences to its visitors. We are looking forward to creating memorable experiences for our fans both at Exploria Resorts and here at Exploria Stadium.”

The stadium, which is the home to Orlando City of Major League Soccer and the Orlando Pride of the National Women’s Soccer League, will be known as Exploria Stadium. Exploria Resorts has also been named the Official Timeshare/Vacation Club of Orlando City SC and Orlando Pride.

President and CEO of Exploria Resorts Thomas J. Morris emphasised: “For nearly 25 years, Exploria Resorts and its predecessors have been making vacation memories for our owners.  Through our seven owned resorts and over 40 affiliates, our vacation club, Club Exploria, provides exciting and flexible vacation options for our 85,000 member families.

“We are very excited about the new partnership between Exploria Resorts and Orlando City SC, as we recognise the appeal of soccer and the growth of MLS and the NWSL in both the Orlando community and on the international stage.”

The stadium has already hosted a number of marquee events during its short history, including two U.S. Men’s National Team matches, the 2018 SheBelieves Cup and the 2017 NCAA Women’s College Cup. In July, Exploria Stadium will be the site of Major League Soccer’s most star-studded event, the 2019 MLS All-Star Game presented by Target.

On Thursday, July 31, the biggest stars in the league will face Club Atlético de Madrid, one of the most-storied clubs in Spain’s La Liga. At the end of the year, Exploria Stadium will also host the 2019 Cure Bowl, marking the first non-soccer sporting event to take place at the venue since its opening in March 2017.

Morris added on the deal: “Exploria Stadium represents a unique opportunity to introduce our brand to sport and travel enthusiasts not only in Central Florida but throughout the U.S. and the world. We look forward to this long term partnership with Orlando City while providing exciting vacation opportunities to its fans and players.”

“The partnership between the world-class Orlando City SC teams and Exploria Resorts, including the naming of this fantastic space, is representative of the incredible feelings experienced when both attending a live event in this beautiful stadium and when vacationing with Exploria Resorts. We are excited to play a role in making memories that matter. That’s what we do at Exploria Resorts and that’s what soccer fans get when they attend Orlando City and Orlando Pride matches.”

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