[Orlando, Florida] Al Kidd, President & CEO of Sports ETA, the international association for the sports events and tourism industry, is one of a several influential voices hailing Orlando’s rapidly recovering tourism industry and identifying sport as a key driver.

“As we emerge from the restrictions and challenges of the pandemic and return to business, great cities like Orlando are poised to recover faster than others. Sports events and sports tourism in Orlando have shown to be the re-entry catalyst, generating new and much needed business”, he said.

Jesse Martinez, General Manager at The Alfond Inn, Chairman of the Central Florida Lodging Association Board of Directors, and Board Member at Visit Florida, agrees. “In my opinion, Central Florida has a tremendous head start on all other major city travel destinations. After seeing a huge influx of travelers this past spring break, we have not slowed down since.” 

“Sports tourism was an early bright spot when Orlando began to reopen in the summer of 2020 as we hosted the NBA bubble, the MLS is Back Tournament and youth events such as the AAU’s Jr.  National Volleyball Championship,” said Casandra Matej, president and CEO of Visit Orlando, who echoed the sentiments of Jesse Martinez by saying that “Orlando has a one-year head start”.  

To underline this, the 2021 edition of the same AAU Youth Volleyball event - hosted just a few weeks ago - drew over 130,000 participants and visitors.  Mark Tester, Executive Director at the Orange County Convention Center said: “The event drove one of our highest food and beverage totals in the Center’s history.”

Don Welsh, President and CEO of Destinations International, added: “All eyes were on Orlando during the pandemic as the NBA and MLS restarted their seasons. It was impressive to watch their collaborative community come together to host in the most trying of circumstances.”  

Orlando believes its emphasis on encouraging sports-related travel and welcoming teams and players has been a game-changing factor in keeping its infrastructure ticking over.

“When business travel collapsed, some cities were saved by their youth and amateur sport travel business” said Jason Siegel, CEO of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission. “There is no doubt in my mind that sports tourism is a viable pathway for generating visitor spending and promoting a destination – which is why Orlando puts such a high priority on it”.

In normal times, Orlando has the largest tourism industry in the USA, producing $26 billion a year, exceeding Las Vegas with $19 million. One in five workers in Orlando (21%) worked directly in hospitality and leisure in 2019. When COVID-19 struck, the unemployment rate skyrocketed. “Our neighbors at Port Canaveral, who derive significant revenue from the cruise industry, lost 43% of their workforce,” said Siegel.

But as life normalizes, the recovery is swift, much more so than many anticipated. Hotels are taking bookings; forward occupancy is very promising and optimism abounds.

According to a study authored by Adam Sacks of Tourism Economics, hotel room demand overall has reached 89% of 2019 figures and air passengers are at 71% (June 2021). Leisure trips will be nearly back to pre-pandemic levels in 2022, although business will take longer. He has said: “Overall, sports are outperforming the market as youth sports have returned well before other business-related events. In fact, we are hearing from clients that sports have been the star performer in what has been an otherwise dismal market”

Orlando, one of 17 US candidate host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup™, is hoping to be selected for the final 10. “I believe our reputation as a collaborative tourism community and reliable partner to sport – and our popularity as a destination – suggest we surely deserve a place” Siegel summed up.

[Source: City of Edmonton] The City of Edmonton has announced a comprehensive and growing level of public support for their candidature to be a host city of the FIFA World Cup 2026™, taking place in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

Collated feedback from surveys conducted in 2018 and 2020 show an increased level of public support for the hosting. Edmonton is one of three Canadian cities included in the United bid, alongside Montreal and Toronto, with the city’s Commonwealth Stadium having a capacity of 56,400 and located just minutes from the city centre.

Among the results, the surveys showed a 77% support among Edmonton residents for the hosting of the FIFA World Cup 2026™, an increase of 6% from 2018, with prime reasons for support being the economic boost (40%), exposure for the city (32%), and benefits for tourism (21%). More than 1,200 residents were randomly recruited for the survey, while an additional open-link survey was completed by more than 3,700 residents, showing an increased level of 93% favourability for the hosting (up from 89% in 2018).

The release of the survey data has provided an extra boost to the city’s aspirations to be confirmed as a host city for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ and serves as a positive reinforcement of its commitment to driving the recovery of sporting events following the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout the pandemic, Edmonton has played a leading role in North America in continuing to provide a platform for sports events, hosting events such as the NHL Stanley Cup Finals and the IIHF Junior World Championships, and receiving widespread praise for their handling of such occasions in a secure and safe environment.

On the surveys, Janelle Janis, Director of Edmonton Events said, “It is great to see public support for our hosting of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ continue to grow. In Edmonton, we have had fantastic experiences of hosting FIFA events, including the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2015, the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in 2014, the FIFA U-20 Men’s World Cup in 2007, and the FIFA U-19 Women’s World Championship in 2002, and we are incredibly excited for this next step. As these surveys help to show, we will be ready to welcome the world in 2026. With Edmonton, FIFA can truly expect the best.”

With FIFA’s final confirmation of host cities expected to be later this year, today Edmonton has launched their website for its 2026 candidature, to provide information about the city’s vision for hosting the World Cup, and to keep followers up to date with news. The website is available to view here.

Janelle Janis is speaking at Host City Americas online on 29-30 June - register here

[Source: Greater Orlando Sports Commission] The FIFA 2026 World Cup™ candidate city of Orlando will play host to some of the biggest names in international soccer following the announcement of a series of world class matches to be hosted in the city.

Orlando’s Camping World Stadium has been chosen as the venue for the 2021 Florida Cup featuring 2020 FA Cup winners Arsenal, Everton from the English Premier League and this year’s Italian Serie A champions Inter Milan, alongside Millonarios FC, the all- conquering Colombian team.

“We are so happy to be able to bring such a powerful international lineup to Orlando as we connect Europe and South America once again at this summer’s event," Florida Cup CEO Ricardo Villar said. "We look forward to delivering an outstanding training experience for our participating clubs, while also providing an exciting week of action and entertainment to local fans and club supporters in Central Florida for the festivities.”

The festival of football will take place on 25th and 28th July. Tickets went on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. ET on Thursday, June 3.

The news adds to the buzz around Orlando’s “Summer of Soccer”, which also sees the city playing host to international matches of the prestigious CONCACAF Gold Cup, also in July.

Jason Siegel, President & Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission said: “It’s turning into an incredible year for soccer in Orlando and we are pleased and proud that organisers - including CONCACAF, US Soccer and Florida Cup - are recognising this and putting their trust in us. We will deliver a great experience for players and fans alike.”

Mikel Arteta, the Manager of Arsenal FC praised the choice of venue: “We’re very pleased to see our pre-season plans ramping up with the announcement of our trip to the United States to take part in the Florida Cup. The tournament features three good sides that will provide strong opposition, and the training and matchday facilities in Orlando will provide a first-class environment for our preparations for next season.”

Giuseppe Marotta, CEO Sport, FC Internazionale Milano said: “We couldn’t be happier to add a pair of Florida Cup fixtures to our training schedule as we continue our Scudetto celebrations in the U.S. along with our first team. The entire club is excited for the upcoming trip to Orlando for a challenging pair of matches, and the organization is eager for the opportunity to celebrate alongside our many American supporters.”

Enrique Camacho, President, Millonarios FC said: “We are incredibly excited to play in this year’s Florida Cup alongside three of Europe’s most recognizable and accomplished teams, including Everton and stars James Rodriguez and Yerry Mina. It is a fitting challenge and a momentous occasion as we celebrate 75 years of history in Colombia, and we are hungry to compete in front of our fans in Orlando.”

Orlando established itself as the “go to” venue for top flight football during the recent Covid pandemic, where 24 MLS teams were able to meet and compete in perfect safety, across 51 matches and 34 days of soccer.

As spectators return to live sport, Orlando has been awarded six matches of the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup, to be played as three double-headers on the 12/16/20 July in Orlando’s purpose-built Exploria Stadium, the home of Orlando City SC.

There were more than 40 bids from major markets across the United States interested in hosting the region’s most prestigious soccer tournament. Orlando is one of only seven cities selected.

[Source: Dallas Sports Commission] The tournament, previously held as the New York Open, is one of the longest-running American tournaments on the ATP Tour. Its rich history features some of the top names in tennis, including legends John McEnroe, Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, Michael Chang, and Andy Murray, and a current generation of stars like Kei Nishikori, Milos Raonic, and Reilly Opelka.

"GF Sports & Entertainment is proud to bring the Dallas Open, an elite ATP Tour tournament, to the premier Styslinger/Altec Tennis Complex in Dallas, beginning in 2022," said Peter Lebedevs, Tournament Director, Dallas Open. "The Dallas Open will shine a global spotlight on the city and be much more than a one-week tennis tournament. In addition to entertainment programming and unique experiential opportunities throughout the tournament, our partnership with SMU and commitment to the community will be year-round and include business, community, tennis initiatives and events. We would like to thank the City of Dallas, our partners at SMU and the ATP for the incredible support during this process to help us bring this world-class tennis event to a world-class city."

The Styslinger/Altec Tennis Complex opened in 2015 and is a preeminent, top-tier facility with both indoor and outdoor courts as well as a training center. The Dallas Open marks the return of ATP Tour level tennis to Dallas for the first time since 1989. The World Championship of Tennis Finals were held in Dallas from 1971-89. The tournament was held at SMU's Moody Coliseum for nine years from 1971-79 before moving to Reunion Arena in 1980, until the final year in 1989.

The Dallas Open will serve as the ultimate entertainment experience for tennis enthusiasts and sports fans in the region. The week-long Dallas Open tournament will showcase top men's singles and doubles talent as well as highlight local youth and collegiate tennis teams as part of GF Sports & Entertainment's commitment to growing the sport and building up the next generation of players. The event will also provide unique interactive opportunities for the business community, with customized platforms for corporate brands to engage with attendees and the community in a meaningful way and entertain with up close hospitality experiences.

The Dallas Open and GF Sports & Entertainment will have a year-round presence in Dallas, including community events and initiatives, partnerships with local business and tennis organizations, as well as support for local youth athletics. The Isner Family Foundation, established by 15-time ATP Tour Champion John Isner and his family, will serve as a non-profit partner for the event. The Isner Family Foundation provides financial support for qualified families to obtain necessities, such as meals, clothing, transportation, convenient lodging, car seats and medical supplies, while their children are under the care of Children's Health, one of the largest and most prestigious pediatric health care providers in the country and the leading pediatric health care system in North Texas.

In addition to the Dallas Open, GF Sports & Entertainment owns and operates the Truist Atlanta Open, another ATP 250 tournament. GF Sports & Entertainment has retained Spectra Partnerships to lead sponsorship sales for the Dallas Open.

The waitlist for Dallas Open premium hospitality and tickets is now live. Fans can visit www.dallasopen.com to join the priority waitlist, and follow the event on social media @DALOpenTennis for all future updates.

John Isner, 15-Time ATP Tour Champion and Dallas Resident said: "I am excited to have an ATP Tour event in my home city and to show off Dallas to the other players on the tour. The Styslinger/Altec Tennis Complex is a premier venue, the players are really going to enjoy playing there in front of a knowledgeable tennis crowd. I am also proud to have the Isner Family Foundation be one of the non-profit partners for the Dallas Open, and looking forward to the positive impact the event will have on the local community."

Andrea Gaudenzi, Chairman, ATP said: "It's exciting to have ATP Tour tennis coming to Dallas, a city with such a rich sporting culture and strong roots in tennis. This is an important opportunity for tennis to continue engaging its passionate American fanbase and we look forward to watching the Dallas Open establish itself in its new home from next season."

Rick Hart, Athletic Director, SMU said: "Our commitment to competing for championships and enhancing the student-athlete experience has required investments in our facilities, something made possible by the generous support of our donors. Because of these gifts, we have been able to build some of the finest facilities in the country, including the Styslinger/Altec Tennis Complex, Turpin Stadium and Brookshire Family Pavilion. Having a campus asset like this allows us to host a premier ATP Tour tennis event and bring top-level professional tennis back to Dallas at the Hilltop."

Monica Paul, Executive Director, Dallas Sports Commission said: "The Dallas Sports Commission is incredibly proud to partner with GF Sports & Entertainment and ATP to launch the 2022 Dallas Open. We are excited to host world-class play at the premier Styslinger/Altec Tennis Complex, as the tournament grows roots in Texas and provides fresh opportunities for players and fans."

Everyone knows the saying "Music is the universal language of mankind" and this principle also underlies the work of the world's leading organizer of international choral competitions and festivals: INTERKULTUR. In this interview, we talked to founder and president Günter Titsch about his vision for the choral world, the background history of the worldwide organization INTERKULTUR and its global network between choirs, culture, cities and politics.

How does one come to establish an organization for choir competitions? What inspired you?

I have been active in choirs as a singer and chairman since my childhood and experienced early on how people and nations could be brought together through music. The power of music as a transcending link between nations is still the guiding principle of INTERKULTUR today: bringing nations together through song.

At the end of the 1980s, this vision began to become reality with the first choral trips from Germany to Hungary, behind the "Iron Curtain". At the first international choir competition we organized in 1988 in Budapest, the foundation was laid for today's global organization, and this set me on the path that would lead to the World Choir Games, also known as the Olympic Games of choral singing.

Were you able to imagine the success you would have with your vision and how influential your organization would become in a very short time?

I was aware of the power of music. The unifying element of enthusiasm for choral singing makes prejudices disappear, enables friendships across borders and creates a lively and peaceful togetherness beyond music without looking at nationalities, ideologies and religions.

In recent years, INTERKULTUR and the World Choir Games have created a great added value for their partner cities and organizations and have also gained a great economic importance. In general, the World Choir Games and all INTERKULTUR events have expanded tremendously over the past 30 years in terms of the audiences and markets they reach.

Looking back on the past decades, it fills me with pride how much our staff and partners have done and continue to do for choral music worldwide.

Your international team organizes events and competitions around the world all year round - what makes INTERKULTUR events so special compared to other choir competitions?

Probably the people and variety of our events. With our large international team, we are committed to reaching singers of all levels and ambitions.

One of our mottos is "participation is the highest honour" and this is also lived by many choirs. The competitions are open to all amateur choirs in the world. For singers, participating in an INTERKULTUR event can be a life-changing experience: Where else do you have the chance to meet people from all corners of the world, hear their music and experience their traditions in such a short time? Meeting people from other cultures and backgrounds changes your own view of the world and broadens your horizons.

And what about your partners, the host cities – what makes your events special to them?

The cities are the focus of the events and are a great additional incentive for the choirs to make the sometimes very long journeys. During the event, the city is filled with singing, music, international meetings, spontaneous street concerts and this unites not only the participating choirs, but above all the local population, retailers and restaurateurs.

At our major events, up to 30,000 participants from more than 70 nations come together, as well as an additional 300,000 visitors, making the cities vibrate with music and life. So, of course, the hosts also benefit economically. It is no coincidence that after hosting the World Choir Games, cities like Graz and Riga even decided to bring other major international events to their cities in subsequent years

The pandemic has had a devastating impact on culture and the performing arts. How are you, the choral world and your partners dealing with it? And what are your plans for "after the crisis"?

The restrictions and effects, both currently and in the long term, are really serious, especially also for the choirs of this world. Of course, since the beginning of the pandemic, we too have experienced some difficult moments and numerous setbacks due to the circumstances. But we are a strong organization, sustained by our incredibly dedicated staff and everyone's passion and commitment to our vision. The positive news for us is that in consultation with our local partners on the ground, we were only able to postpone all of our events to a later date and not cancel them completely. This shows impressively that we are all just waiting for the end of this pandemic, in order to then return to normal everyday life full of strength and zest for action - full of joie de vivre, music, singing and international encounters!

The exchange with our current partners and future host cities was and is very intensive. Even though the challenges for politics, business, culture and every individual were and are enormous, for many politicians the time has come to look ahead and adopt plans for the development and future of their city and region, now that the crisis is slowly being overcome. We know that in many places the question of how to promote new perspectives and a secure future is now increasingly on the table – and this is where we support our partners and the global choral scene.

This interview was conducted by Franziska Hellwig, Coordinator for Communication & Development, President‘s Office, INTERKULTUR

[Source: Super League Triathlon] Super League Triathlon has announced its biggest ever Championship Series with the sport’s brightest stars to race in four thrilling events at major destinations around the world.

Super League will move into major cities for the first time with stops in London, Munich and Malibu, as well as a return to Jersey. 

Reigning Super League champions Vincent Luis and Katie Zaferes will be back to defend their Championship Series crowns, and will compete against the cream of short course triathlon talent such as Georgia Taylor-Brown, Jonathan Brownlee, Beth Potter and Kristian Blummenfelt.

The four events will take place on back-to-back weekends throughout September, providing audiences with a compelling calendar that delivers greater engagement and a more exciting race Series.

Super League Triathlon’s 2021 Championship Series race calendar is:

• September 5: London, UK
• September 12: Munich, Germany
• September 18: Jersey, Channel Islands
• September 25: Malibu, USA

There will be 20 female and 20 male athletes competing at each event on a single day of racing over Super League’s exciting formats. As well as the athletes contracted across the Series, the start list for each event will include a small allocation of Wildcard slots to be filled nearer the time.

Racing in London will take place at West India Quay, at the Olympiapark in Munich and at Zuma Beach as part of the Malibu Triathlon, with Jersey’s event set to feature at St Helier for the fourth time. Individual event details and announcements around global broadcast deals will be made in the coming months.

Super League Triathlon CEO, Michael D’hulst, said: “This is a very significant and exciting day, not just for Super League but triathlon as a whole. Super League Triathlon’s 2021 Championship Series brings us closer to where the fans are and this is what we are about – making triathlon a spectator sport.

“To be able to deliver a Championship Series in a condensed time period in the calendar straight after the Olympics and to follow our strategic ambitions to visit major cities in key markets has been a goal we have been working towards since Super League was established just four years ago. Our first Championship Series events in the UK, Germany and the USA are significant milestones.

“Securing the best athletes in the world to race across the Series as we build on the success of the SLT Arena Games to host outdoor events again in iconic locations will help to elevate our sport.”

Multiple Super League Triathlon winner Vincent Luis said: “First of all, it is amazing that we can race and Super League puts such effort into us racing.

Jersey is my favourite venue of all time, and I look forward to seeing what London, Munich and Malibu have to offer. In these kinds of races, you enjoy from the start to the finish. It will be a really good build-up to the Olympics and then Super League to enjoy with four races in a row. I can’t wait. Putting the race tyres on the bike, getting the race suits ready… it’s just around the corner.”

For more information visit https://superleaguetriathlon.com/

[Source: Global Esports Federation (GEF)] Launching a runway into worldwide expansion, the Global Esports Federation Board today unveils the first three host cities for its premier flagship event: Singapore 2021, Istanbul 2022 and Riyadh 2023.

The Global Esports Games, held each year in December, will convene the world in a celebration of esports, virtual sport, music and entertainment. The GEG will feature teams from across the world participating in multi-title esports competitions and active esports.

In parallel, GEFcon, a global convention of thought leaders, and the GEFestival, a dynamic celebration of inclusive esports culture highlighting music, art, technology, fashion, food and much more, promise to add to the diverse, immersive and world-class program.

“The Global Esports Games has drawn overwhelming interest. We have undergone a rigorous selection process,” said Chris Chan, President, Global Esports Federation, “Now the work and creativity truly begin as we set the stage for the world’s esports athletes and players to shine.”

“The first Global Esports Games to be held in December this year will provide the opportunity to showcase esports to the world”, said Ng Chong Geng, President, Singapore Esports Association (SGEA). "We are grateful to have the opportunity to host this truly historic event".

Co-Chairs of the Coordination Commission for the Global Esports Games, Angela Ruggiero and Luzeng Song, noted that appointing the right host cities is a key to success. “We will lend our support and guidance so the host cities can unleash their full potential,” Ruggiero said, “and so the incredible untold stories of the power of esports – and sport as the future of entertainment – can be unlocked, too.”

Paul J. Foster, Chief Executive Officer, Global Esports Federation, said the energy, skill and passion of esports, and the technologies that drive it, are captured in the GEF motto: #worldconnected. Carrying that forward to the Global Esports Games, he said, “We have listened to the athletes and players, the incredible publishers and developers, and the wider community to create a platform for athletes to shine, representing countries and territories as in other prestigious multi-sport competitions.”

[Source: INTERKULTUR] You always need something to look forward to: We’re happy to announce that a new event series in beautiful Lisbon, Portugal is going to start in November 2022, and additional editions in 2023 and 2024 are already being planned: Welcome to LISBON SINGS from November 10-14, 2022!

In this November week you will still be able to enjoy late summer temperatures in Lisbon:  According to legend, the warm, clear days often seen in early November in Portugal were and are caused by Saint Martin's act of charity, and so the days are also known as Saint Martin's summer. In particular, the 11th of November, St. Martin's Day, is celebrated with the first ripe chestnuts and the first wine of the year.

Of course, there will also be singing: The main venue will be the beautiful Aula Magna of the University of Lisbon, one of the largest universities in Portugal. Choirs from all over the world can present themselves here in Evaluation Performances and Friendship Concerts and may also accept the challenge of singing in one of the manifold competition categories ranging from Equal to Mixed Voices, from Children’s and Youth Choirs to Sacred Choral Music and Folklore.

More information about LISBON SINGS 2022 is available here. Details about the 2023 and 2024 will follow soon. See you there!

Baltimore-Maryland’s 2026 World Cup Host City bid has today revealed its new brand identity and logo as its bid to host FIFA 2026 World Cup matches continues to build momentum.

Reflecting Baltimore-Maryland's diverse communities and with close connections to the history of the city itself, the new brand identity embodies key aspects of the bid’s commitment to prioritizing diversity and inclusion and representing individuals from across the city and state.

The new branding and logo include references to the iconic "colors of Baltimore", depicted in the "Painted Ladies" row homes of Northern Baltimore City, which have become synonymous with the vibrant neighborhoods of Baltimore-Maryland.

Featuring local iconography, including the "Hon Playing Soccer", Pink Flamingo and Blue-Green Crab, the Baltimore-Maryland 2026 branding symbolizes the bid’s deep connections to the local culture:

• "Hon Playing Soccer"

Depicting a woman with a beehive hairstyle, the Baltimore “Hon'' pays tribute to the women of Baltimore’s working-class communities in the 1950s and 1960s and represents the people of Baltimore-Maryland’s originality and creativity.

"Hon'' is a person, a quintessential term of endearment in Baltimore’s regional dialect and the inspiration for the local arts and cultural festival, “Hon Fest''. The festival takes place in the city’s Hampden community and is widely accepted as one of the most welcoming and accepting places for the LGBTQ+ community in the U.S.

• Pink Flamingo

Deeply connected to Greater Baltimore’s artistic community and Baltimore Club Music, the Pink Flamingo can be found everywhere from neighborhood front yards to huge statues across the city. As the community has transformed from a manufacturing and shipping port to a hub for the next generation of artists and creatives, the Pink Flamingo has remained a constant icon of the local area.

• Blue-Green Crab

Blue Crab is a staple of Maryland, and represents the state’s hospitality and culinary community, as well as its natural resources, harbor, waterways, and efforts towards sustainability and minimizing environmental impact.  

Local Baltimore advertising agency, TBC, designed the new brand aligning with Baltimore-Maryland 2026's commitment to showcasing local businesses at the heart of the bid and using FIFA 2026 World Cup matches to transform and regenerate the city and state.

Terrance Hasseltine, President of Baltimore-Maryland 2026 and Executive Director of Maryland Sports Commission, said: “We’re incredibly excited to be launching our new brand identity and logo for Baltimore-Maryland 2026. Representing every aspect of our diverse local communities is hugely important for us, especially as hosting matches at the FIFA 2026 World Cup would create a tremendous positive impact for both our city and state.

“TBC is a valued partner who has helped us capture Baltimore-Maryland's unique and treasured history and distinct visual identity, and we are embracing this and incorporating it into every aspect of our bid. Baltimore’s “Hons”, Pink Flamingos and Blue-Green Crab are synonymous with our communities and we’re ready to welcome the world with our famed hospitality.”

Bill Ward, Executive Vice President, TBC, said: “As a Day One supporter of Baltimore-Maryland 2026 and a proud local business, it is a privilege to have worked with the BMD 2026 team on the bid’s brand identity and logo update, which uniquely reflects our city’s vibrant and inclusive culture. Incorporating the Baltimore Colors and unique icons, the new branding brings to life the bid’s vision of creating a real, tangible human legacy for our local communities.

“TBC has been part of the Baltimore-Maryland 2026 journey from the start and to be helping to bring the FIFA 2026 World Cup to our city and state for the very first time is a huge opportunity.”

[Source: Baltimore-Maryland 2026 World Cup Host Destination Delegation]

[Source: Houston 2026 World Cup Bid Committee] Houston’s bid to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been boosted by the news that Houston will host multiple 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup Matches at the city’s state-of-the-art BBVA Stadium and NRG Stadium.

Houston is one of only seven metropolitan markets selected to host matches in the 2021 edition of the tournament, with the BBVA Stadium and NRG Stadium two of the ten host venues. The decision comes on the back of Houston being awarded the right to host the 2021 World Table Tennis Championships, which will be the first time the event has been held in the United States.

The awarding of these two major international events highlights the confidence international sports bodies have in Houston’s sports hosting credentials. Houston has a proven track record in delivering world-class soccer and sport events. The BBVA Stadium has featured in every edition of the Gold Cup since it began in 2012 and the NRG Stadium has played host to some of the most well-attended matches in the tournament’s history, including a sold-out quarterfinal doubleheader in 2019.

Houston 2026 World Cup Bid Committee President Chris Canetti, said: “This is great news and I commend Harris County – Houston Sports Authority and all those involved in successfully bringing these fantastic events to our city. Houston is a soccer-loving city with a proud Gold Cup history and I am sure will do a fantastic job in hosting the tournament.

“Being awarded Gold Cup matches, alongside the World Table Tennis Championships, is further evidence that Houston has what it takes to host major international sports events. It is a helpful step towards our ultimate objective of becoming a host city for the world’s greatest single sport’s event - the FIFA World Cup. Houston has a proven track record in successfully delivering world-class international sports events and providing the ultimate environment for athletes to perform at their best.”

The 2021 Gold Cup will officially kick off with a new Preliminary Round where 12 nations who qualified through their CONCACAF Nations League performances will compete for the final three spots in the 16 team Gold Cup Group Stage. The Round One and Two Prelims matchups were drawn on September 10, 2020. The Group Stage will kick off on July 10, and the Final will be played on August 1 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

Meanwhile, the 2021 World Table Tennis is scheduled to take place November 23-29 at Houston’s George R. Brown Convention Center, The tournament will see a total of 128 world’s best athletes in singles, and 64 pairs in doubles, compete and have a reach of over 500 million viewers globally across TV and digital platforms.

Houston 2026 continues to take steps forward to set itself apart in the field of 17 U.S. cities bidding to host matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Houston has hosted more large-scale sporting events than any other candidate host city since 2004, including two Super Bowls and two NCAA Final Fours.

Houston’s state-of-the-art NRG Stadium, recognized as the “Best Football Crowd in America” in 2008, has hosted several International Champions Cup matches and dozens of international soccer fixtures. 

FIFA is expected to decide on the 10 U.S. host cities in late-2021 and is currently holding one-on-one discussions with each bid city. Houston 2026 is confident that the city’s tried and tested experience will provide an unmatched player and fan experience and deliver thrilling atmospheres at 2026 FIFA World Cup matches.