Catch a Major League Soccer game on your Orlando holiday
Calling all football fans! Take a trip to Downtown Orlando to catch a game of Major League Soccer at the Orlando City Stadium. With former Manchester United player and Portugal international Nani recently announced as joining the roster of Orlando City Soccer Club on a three-year deal, the Lions have gained an experienced player who will bring his knowledge and skills to the club.
Only formed in 2010, and playing in the Major League since 2015, the Lions – as the team is affectionately known by their fans, thanks to the lion they wear on their bright purple strip – have come a long way in a short time, first signing Brazilian international Kaká, and amassing fans both at home in Florida and across the globe. In 2017 the club moved to its current location – the purpose-built and privately-funded Orlando City Stadium, on West Church Street at the heart of the city, which has the capacity for 25,500 fans!
“A great experience on our holiday and a welcome escape from continuous days of theme parks. We only booked our tickets on the day and got some good discounts, so check out deals if planning on visiting. I think our seats were $20 each.”
As well as seeing the Lions playing at the stadium, you can also show your support for the women’s football team – the Orlando Pride, who are now coached by former Birmingham City WFC manager, Marc Skinner. The stadium has also played host to a World Cup qualifier and was chosen to host the 2019 MLS All-Star Game over the summer, where an international club take on select players from the league. The last five international teams to have taken on the challenge were Juventus, Real Madrid, Arsenal, Spurs and Bayern Munich – although we don’t yet know who will be playing. With clubs of this calibre it’s bound to be a great feast of football!
Show your support for your new favourite football club! With a new vibrant purple kit for 2019, dubbed the ‘Bring the Noise Kit’, you will stand out from the crowd back home! It features the lion emblem with a sun-flare mane, representing the Sunshine State. You can buy the merchandise online, with the option for international shipping back home, or even get it delivered to your villa! If you want to collect merchandise in person, there are several retail outlets listed on the club’s website.
The regular MLS season runs between March and October, each team plays 34 games – with 17 at their home stadium.
The schedule for Orlando City’s home games are as follows:
- v New York City: Saturday 2nd March 2:30pm
- v Montreal Impact: Saturday 16th March 4:00pm
- v D.C. United: Sunday 31st March 6:30pm
- v Colorado Rapids: Saturday 6th April 7:30pm
- v Vancouver Whitecaps: Saturday 20th April 3:00pm
- v Toronto 3:00pm: Saturday 4th May 4:00pm
- v FC Cincinnati: Sunday 19th May 3:00pm
- v LA Galaxy: Friday 24th May 7:00pm
- v Philadelphia Union: Wednesday 3rd July 7:30pm
- v Columbus Crew: Saturday 13th July 7:30pm
- v New York Red Bulls: Sunday 21st July 7:30pm
- v FC Dallas: Saturday 3rd August 7:30pm
- v Sporting Kansas City: Wednesday 14th August 7:30pm
- v Atlanta United: Friday 23rd August 8:00pm
- v LA FC: Saturday 7th September 7:30pm
- v New England Revolution: Saturday 14th September 7:30pm
- v Chicago Fire: Sunday 6th October 4:00pm
If you want to watch the away games in the company of like-minded sports fans, Orlando City has partnered up with some select pubs around the city where you can grab a beer and enjoy the match. All of the club’s matches are listed on the schedule. The pubs even offer Heineken – the Official Beer of MLS at a discount price on match days! Check the website for details!†
“Decided to experience an American sporting event whilst on holiday from the UK and being big football fans, we decided on a visit to see Orlando City. The final score was 2-2 and on every goal some purple smoke was let off. Also great drum beats throughout from some fans. Overall great stadium, game and atmosphere!”
Pick up your home tickets via the club’s website, or call 855-ORL-CITY (855-675-2489). Prices start from $25 per seat (excluding fees). If you want to show your support for the club, you might want to consider the LionNation membership scheme at a cost of $59 per year, where you will get reward points, priority ticket access, discounts and invites to special events. Included in your membership are two tickets to an Orlando Pride home game or a stadium tour for two, as well as an exclusive LionNation yearly scarf, which can be collected at any Pride or City home game.
You don’t have to just be a member of the LionNation to go on the stadium tour – you can purchase tickets to go behind the scenes for $20 per adult, $12 per child (ages 2-12), children under two are free (prices exclude fees). Book onto the 45-minute tour and visit the players locker room, the walkout tunnel, the press box, the owner's suite, the on-field warm-up seats, and ‘The Wall’ – North America’s first safe-standing section. Tours take place on most Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3pm – 4pm.
If you are attending one of the matches, it’s worth noting that the gates will open 60 minutes before kick off – unless otherwise stated. There is good access to public transport from the stadium – which is located near to Church Street railway station.
On an event day there is no public parking at the stadium, but you can find available parking via this link.
If you are, or appear to be under the age of 35 (yes 35!), you will be asked for photo ID if you are buying alcohol, so remember to take something suitable with you!
Security is also known to be very tight here and they currently have a Clear Bag Policy in place, to provide a safer environment for the public. Before your visit we would advise you to check their website for full information about what you can and can’t take into the stadium.
If you have any questions about attending the venue, check the stadium’s comprehensive A-Z guide, use the ‘contact’ link on the page or converse with a member of staff using the Live Chat facility. You can also ring the stadium, on 855-ORL-CITY (855-675-2489).
Have you ever been to a match at the Orlando City Stadium? What top tips do you have for anyone who plans to go? We’d love to hear from you, so get in touch!
† Offers subject to change
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