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Witness thrilling tournaments, participate in heart-pumping competitions, and indulge in unique sports offerings in The City Beautiful.
At the Heart of the Action
Orlando, the theme park capital of the world, is not just about magical kingdoms and fairy tales. It’s also a haven for sports fans who want to see adrenaline-pumping tournaments in the flesh.
With a variety of world-class venues for both watching and participating in the action, Orlando’s sports scene is hard to beat! In fact, Orlando has been named one of the top ten places in the U.S. for golfing — and that’s only one sport out of the dozen others that can be experienced here.
Rent By Owner has compiled a list of must-visit stops around the city. We’ve included places that host regular basketball, English and American football, and tennis tournaments. We’ve also thrown in the best venues to get your fair share of excitement and thrills!
AMWAY CENTER
400 W Church St Suite 200, Orlando | (407) 440-7900
The Amway Center is a sports and entertainment arena in downtown Orlando. It’s home to the Orlando Magic basketball team and hosts NBA games regularly. Here, you can also catch a variety of concerts and other sporting events like monster truck shows throughout the year.
This venue offers a variety of luxury seating options, including 1,400 club-level seats and 60 private suites.
CAMPING WORLD STADIUM
1 Citrus Bowl Pl, Orlando | (407) 440-5700
This outdoor stadium is primarily used for American football games, and is the home of the Citrus Bowl, which hosts the Camping World Bowl and the Florida Classic. It is also used for concerts, monster truck shows, and other events.
On top of offering luxury suites, group packages, and special event packages, the Camping World Stadium also provides facilities for people with sensory disabilities. It’s a great place to ensure everyone in your travel group gets to enjoy the best of Orlando sports.
ESPN WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS COMPLEX
700 S Victory Way, Orlando | (407) 939-5277
This sprawling sports complex, owned by the Walt Disney World Resort, features multiple fields and arenas. Because of that, it can host a wide variety of sporting events beyond baseball and softball. Visitors can catch a game of basketball, football, soccer, and volleyball, or even witness a cheerleading competition.
If you’re a fan of anything from youth sports tournaments to national championships, this is your best stop. And with state-of-the-art facilities, the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex is truly the go-to of every Orlando sports scene patron.
EXPLORIA STADIUM
655 W Church St, Orlando | (407) 480-4702
The Exploria Stadium is home of Orlando City SC, the city’s MLS team, as well as the Orlando Pride, a women’s professional soccer team.
With premium seating options, group packages, and stadium tours, this venue is a favorite among local and visiting sports fans who seek an accessible and one-of-a-kind experience.
USTA NATIONAL CAMPUS
10000 USTA Blvd, Orlando | (407) 675-2500
The USTA National Campus is the home of American tennis, featuring 100 indoor and outdoor courts. These unparalleled facilities were built for enthusiasts of all ages, abilities, and skill levels. Here, beginners, experts, and even coaches can partake in programs, private lessons, and tailored performance paths.
ORLANDO SPEED WORLD DRAGWAY
19164 E Colonial Dr, Orlando | (407) 568-5522
This quarter-mile drag racing track hosts a variety of events, from grassroots races to national championships. Fans of NHRA drag racing events, Street Car Takeover, and Test and Tune nights will feel right at home here.
The Orlando Speed World Dragway has been in operation since 1960 and has hosted many legendary racers, including Shirley Muldowney and Bob Glidden. If you’re with a young Orlando sports or drag racing fan, you’ll be glad to know that admission is free for visitors under 11 years old.
ORLANDO KART CENTER
10724 Cosmonaut Blvd, Orlando | (407) 480-2477
Imagine you just got back from watching a drag racing event with your kid, and both of you can’t get enough! For that, we recommend the Orlando Kart Center. This state-of-the-art kart racing facility offers arrive-and-drive racing, leagues, and private events. It even has junior racing programs for children as young as six years old.
ORLANDO WATERSPORTS COMPLEX
8615 Florida Rock Rd, Orlando | (407) 251-3100
If you’re itching to go wakeboarding, water skiing, wakeskating, or kneeboarding, Orlando has you covered. The Orlando Watersports Complex is home to an aquapark, watersports facilities, a pro shop, a beach area, and even a dockside grill. Be sure to check out their group events, summer camps, and private lesson packages when you visit.
ORLANDO SPORTSPLEX – GENESIS ICE DEN
8701 Maitland Summit Blvd, Orlando | (407) 916-2550
This indoor ice rink hosts ice hockey competitions, figure skating events, and public skating activities. Visitors can also avail of on-ice lessons or enjoy the gym, swimming pool, and other sports facilities within the Sportsplex.
BILL FREDERICK PARK AT TURKEY LAKE
3401 S Hiawassee Rd, Orlando | (407) 246-4486
The Orlando sports scene is not complete without the “reel” events. That’s where Bill Frederick Park steps in. With a 183-acre area, fishing tournaments and boating events are a staple here. It is also home to a public golf course, camping sites, and picnic areas – perfect for a weekend family getaway!
LAKE EOLA PARK
512 E Washington St, Orlando | (407) 246-4484
Don’t forget to pack your running shoes on your next visit to Orlando! With their multitude of marathon and running events, most of which are conducted in Lake Eola Park, you’ll fully sate your need for speed.
Block your calendars to catch any of these annual foot races: the Walt Disney World Marathon (January), the Orlando Xtreme Half-Marathon (February), the Disney’s Princess Half-Marathon (February), the Springtime Surprise Weekend (April), the Disney Wine & Dine Half-Marathon (November), and the OUC Orlando Half-Marathon (December).
ARNOLD PALMER’S BAY HILL CLUB & LODGE
9000 Bay Hill Blvd, Orlando | (407) 876-2429
This premier golf resort, which features an 18-hole championship course, was designed by the famous American golfer Arnold Palmer.
Every year in March, The Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard is held here. It is a signature event in Orlando’s sports world as well as in all of Central Florida as it attracts the most notable names in golf.
TOPGOLF ORLANDO
9295 Universal Blvd, Orlando | (407) 218-7714
TopGolf Orlando combines golf, food, and fun, offering a unique experience for golfers and non-golfers alike. They have climate-controlled hitting bays and microchipped golf balls that track players’ shots and scores. With HDTVs in every bay, sports bar, and restaurant in the area, this place puts a cozy yet high-tech spin to a beloved classic sport.
TopGolf Orlando also offers private event rental services, with food and beverage packages that are sure to elevate any small or large get-together.
GRAND CYPRESS GOLF CLUB
One North Jacaranda, Orlando | (407) 239-1909
If you’re up for a challenge, we recommend visiting the Grand Cypress Golf Club. Designed by renowned golf legend and golf course architect Jack Nicklaus, this facility offers a variety of challenges including stone bridges and walls, 12-foot pot bunkers, gorse mounds, and double greens. Nicklaus’s design adds a whole new dimension of play and was inspired by the Old Course at St. Andrews, Scotland.
SHINGLE CREEK GOLF CLUB
9939 Universal Blvd, Orlando | (407) 996-9933
Just a hop and a skip away from the Beachline Expressway in Orlando’s convention district is the Shingle Creek Golf Club. This facility is situated along the historic Shingle Creek, the headwaters that lead to the Florida Everglades.
Much like the Bay Hill Club & Lodge, the Shingle Creek Golf Club was reinvented by the Arnold Palmer Design Company. The par-72 championship course is set against a stunning backdrop of oaks and pines. With 7,213 yards of undulating fairways and interconnected waterways, individual players and groups are guaranteed a challenging and inspiring game.
Dive Right into Orlando’s Sports Scene with Rent By Owner
Plan an unforgettable Orlando sports weekend with Rent By Owner! Together with our guides, we list an endless array of vacation rentals, cottages, and cabins so you can dream up and craft amazing itineraries at the click of a button.
TLDR
Rent By Owner provides the ultimate guide for sports fans and athletes looking to experience Orlando’s sports scene. Courtside thrills await at the Amway Center, Camping World Stadium, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Exploria Stadium, and USTA National Campus. At the Orlando Speed World Dragway and Orlando Kart Center, visitors can witness or take part in adrenaline-filled racing. Rent By Owner also recommends fishing events at the Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake, annual marathons at Lake Eola Park, and ice sports at the Orlando Sportsplex – Genesis Ice Den. For golf lovers, Orlando has Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge, TopGolf Orlando, Grand Cypress Golf Club, and Shingle Creek Golf Club.
