ORLANDO – Orlando City’s Exploria Stadium will host the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games Opening Ceremony the club announced on Wednesday.
That event should take place on June 5th 2022 with that scheduled as the first day of the Games. It will be the first non-soccer major event held at the stadium.
“We are so excited to be able to partner with such an important and impactful organization in the Special Olympics. We are honored that our home, Exploria Stadium, has been chosen to host the 2022 USA Games Opening Ceremony and bring the start of these games, not only to the City of Orlando, but to those participating and those watching all around the world. We can think of no better place to kick off an event that will showcase some of the best athletes in the United States. Our organizations have been working together for a while, building toward today’s announcement, and I’m confident our work leading into next year will make 2022 the biggest and best Opening Ceremony to date.”
Orlando City SC CEO Alex Leitão
Exploria Stadium won’t actually host any of the competitive events in the Games but will presumably also host the closing ceremony. There will be an MLS tie with the event venues as Walt Disney World Wide World of Sports will host most of the events, which will allow for broadcast capability, ESPN holding the rights.
The club has also been represented in the choice of ambassadors, with former player Kaka serving in the role to bring light to the Games.
Photo: Steveo89/Creative Commons License
Florida Soccer Report 