Orlando, FL. (December 11) – Headlined by the 2016 & 2017 Women’s College Cup, the NCAA announced today that Central Florida has won the right to host seven NCAA Championships from 2016 to 2018. The NCAA Women’s College Cup, the final four of the NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Tournament, will be co-hosted by UCF and the Central Florida Sports Commission, and be held at the new Orlando City Soccer Stadium, December 2-4, 2016 and December 1-3, 2017.

“Being awarded these championships is a testament to the first-class venues and other community assets that we are able to offer the NCAA here in Central Florida” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. “When we envisioned the new Orlando City Soccer Stadium, the Women’s College Cup was one of the marquee events on the radar.”

“Orlando City SC is ecstatic to join the Sports Commission, UCF and the City of Orlando as host for the NCAA Women’s College Cup,” said Orlando City President Phil Rawlins. “We thank the NCAA for this honor and look forward to the start of what we hope will become the first of many NCAA championships held at our new downtown stadium.”

Including the Women’s College Cup, Central Florida will host the following NCAA Championships:
 

“The bid process for NCAA Championships is extremely competitive, and our community is extremely proud to have been awarded seven Championships,” said John Bisignano, President & CEO of the Central Florida Sports Commission. “As we serve our mission to drive economic development through sports, these Championships are a critical part of our strategy to deliver more critical mass in times of need for our region. We look forward to working with the NCAA, our institution and conference partners, and our respective community partners to ensure the success of these prestigious events.”

“Soccer is extremely popular in the Orlando and Central Florida communities, and UCF is thrilled to partner with the Central Florida Sports Commission, the City of Orlando and Orlando City SC to bring even more high-quality soccer to the area,” said UCF Vice President & Director of Athletics Todd Stansbury. “The Women’s College Cup is a premiere event on the NCAA Championship calendar and we’re proud to be associated with such a great event.”

In total, these seven NCAA Championships will bring more than 38,682 in attendance, 6,858 out-of-town visitors, over 10,942 room nights and generate approximately $6,005,844 economic impact for the region.

The Sports Commission has hosted a total of 41 NCAA National or Regional Championships, at least one per year since 1997. Highlighted by the return of the Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, which will be hosted at the Amway Center next March, the Sports Commission continues to galvanize the community and illustrate to the NCAA, and other event owners, why Central Florida is a championship destination.

*Story by Central Florida Sports Commission