Universal Orlando Resort Partners with The Florida Cup Two global Central Florida brands join for one incredible event

Florida’s largest annual celebration of international soccer today made their biggest unveiling yet – a partnership with Universal Orlando Resort. In addition, event officials announced additional details for the 2018 event, including the final two participating clubs.

Universal Orlando joins long-standing sponsor adidas as a major partner of the Florida Cup. The Orlando theme park destination, home to Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and the new water theme park Universal’s Volcano Bay, will serve as the venue for several large fan activations, including the Florida Cup Fan Fest, a celebration for fans featuring performances by internationally renowned artists. Fans can also purchase a travel package including game tickets, accommodations at a Universal Orlando hotel and entrance to the theme parks, starting today. Packages are available through the Florida Cup’s official travel partner, Kaluah Tours at www.kaluahtours.com. 

“Today marks the official launch of the 2018 Florida Cup campaign as we are only 90 days away from the first match between Corinthians and PSV in Orlando,” said Florida Cup CEO Ricardo Villar. “And, there’s no better way to celebrate than to announce these big clubs with our major new partner Universal Orlando. We look forward to their support and contribution in helping elevate this event to new heights both domestically and abroad. We are thrilled to have their expertise on board, and look forward to creating even more unique experiences for our fans.”

 “We are excited to work with the Florida Cup and we are looking forward to hosting the teams, and their fans, to experience everything that Universal Orlando has to offer,” said Marcos Barros, Universal Orlando’s Senior Director of Marketing & Sales – Latin America. “This partnership is the perfect blend of world-class soccer, passionate fans and thrilling entertainment, allowing us to continue connecting with our international audiences in new ways.”

The partnership was announced earlier today at Universal CityWalk with representatives from the Florida Cup and Universal Orlando, as well as ambassadors from each of the clubs participating in the fourth Florida Cup, such as Colombian superstar goalkeeper Rene Higuita and PSV legend Willy van de Kerkhof.  Florida Cup officials previously confirmed the following clubs for the 2018 event: Rangers FC (SCO), Atlético Nacional (COL), Sport Club Corinthians Paulista (BRA), Clube Atlético Mineiro (BRA), PSV Eindhoven (NED), and Barcelona SC (ECU). Today, event officials confirmed the final two clubs are Fluminense FC (BRA) and Legia Warsaw (POL). Several stars from these premier clubs from Europe and South America will represent their nations in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

·  Fluminense FC - Known as Tricolor from Laranjeiras, the Fluminense Football Club was founded in 1902 and is one of the main clubs in Rio de Janeiro. Fluminense is ranked as the fifth Brazilian club to provide the most Brazilian national team players in FIFA World Cup tournaments. Its stadium is also host of the very first ever Brazilian National Team match in 1914 and hosted the ‘seleção’ until 1932.

·  Legia Warsaw -  Legia is one of the most successful Polish football clubs in history, winning twelve Ekstraklasa Champions titles, a record 18 Polish Cup trophies and four Polish SuperCup matches. Legia qualified for the 2016-17 Champions League group stages after defeating Dundalk on August 23, 2016. As one of the most successful clubs in Poland, Legia Warsaw is also one of its most popular clubs. Legia supporters are passionate and loyal, as groups of fans follow Legia on practically all away matches, both domestic and international. The Legionnaires also have an active and passionate following in Chicago, which boasts one of the largest Polish communities in the U.S.

“The Florida Cup continues to enjoy growing interest from premier clubs from around the world. Our goal is to always provide the highest level of quality soccer and entertainment for fans, while delivering unmatched training facilities and hospitality to our clubs. Going into our fourth year, we have firmly established the Florida Cup as a ‘Can’t Miss’ event on the international soccer calendar,” concluded Villar.

2018 Florida Cup Format, Tickets and Schedule:

The 2018 Florida Cup will take place January 10 – 20, with each club playing two matches in a points format to determine the 2018 Florida Cup Champion – three points for a win, one for a tie and an additional point for a PK victory. The full schedule of matches can be found below and on www.floridacup.com.

A special pre-sale for Florida Cup tickets will be held on October 20. To participate in the pre-sale, fans must register at www.FloridaCup.com. Match tickets go on sale to the public on October 21.

About The Florida Cup:

The Florida Cup is the largest international soccer celebration held annually in Florida. It is a global platform that combines sports and entertainment. Broadcasted live in 2017 to over 140 countries, the tournament reached over 50 million viewers. Globally recognized soccer clubs from Europe and Latin America will convene in Central Florida for this premier tournament – a final tune-up before the start of their respective campaigns and the kickoff for a World Cup year. For more information on the Florida Cup, visit www.floridacup.com, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About Universal Orlando Resort Universal Orlando Resort is a unique vacation destination that is part of the NBCUniversal Comcast family. For more than 25 years, Universal Orlando has been creating epic vacations for the entire family – incredible experiences that place guests in the heart of powerful stories and adventures. 

Universal Orlando’s three theme parks, Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Universal’s Volcano Bay, are home to some of the world’s most exciting and innovative theme park experiences – including The Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Hogsmeade and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Diagon Alley. Universal Orlando’s on-site hotels, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, the Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort and Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort, feature a total of 5,600 rooms and are destinations unto themselves. Its entertainment complex, Universal CityWalk, offers dining and entertainment for every member of the family.

Universal Orlando Resort consistently unveils all-new guest experiences, including powerful attractions, incredible dining opportunities and dramatically themed hotels. Now open is Universal’s Volcano Bay, an entirely new water theme park, and Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon, an immersive and interactive attraction in Universal Studios Florida.

Universal Orlando Resort is part of NBCUniversal, a Comcast company. Follow us on our blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

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For Florida Cup: Lenny Santiago | (386) 451-5809 | lenny@lms-pr.com

For Universal Orlando Resort: Juliette Gebken | (407) 224-5121 | juliette.gebken@universalorlando.com

Kaluah Tours: (407)-226-3510 | Group@kaluahtours.com | www.KaluahTours.com