Florida Cup and the I-Drive 360 Partner for Florida Cup Fan Fest 2017

Orlando, Fla. - (Nov. 17, 2016) – The Florida Cup, the largest international soccer tournament in the Sunshine State, announced a unique partnership with I-Drive 360 to host the one-of-a-kind Florida Cup Fan Fest. Starting on Jan. 7, the Fan Fest will feature 16 days of entertainment, music, food and more – all in celebration of the beautiful game. 

In addition, tickets to the 2017 Florida Cup are now available for purchase at www.floridacup.com. An updated website has been launched for the 2017 tournament. Fans are encouraged to check the site for updates, as well as follow the tournament on social media through Facebook (@FLCup), Instagram (@florida_cup) and Twitter (@florida_cup).

“We are proud to see the Florida Cup growing every year and the Fan Fest is another example,” said Florida Cup CEO Ricardo Villar. “We are proud to partner with I-Drive 360, home of the iconic Coca-Cola Orlando Eye, to bring yet another unique fan experience to the event. The Florida Cup will feature great matches for the passionate soccer fan, as well as plenty of entertainment for everyone and celebrity appearances.”

The Florida Cup Fan Fest will kick off on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017 with an opening ceremony, and concludes on Sunday, Jan. 22. The festival will run every day of the tournament, featuring family friendly activities, team events and live music including evening shows. The Fan Fest is one of several activities planned throughout Orlando in January that will commemorate this major sporting event, and drive additional awareness and economic benefit to Central Florida. 

The Florida Cup has become the largest annual sporting event in Florida after only two editions with live broadcasted matches to 171 countries. The event this year brings 14 clubs from seven different countries, totaling a fan base of over 140 million fans. 

The Florida Cup features two distinct formats in 2017: 

● FC Challenge – A Davis Cup-modeled competition similar to the format during the Florida Cup’s debut in 2015, with Clubs representing Countries, each vying for points to secure the tournament title for their home nation. This phase will occur from Jan. 8 – Jan. 15.

● FC Playoff – A single-elimination round of international teams where only one remaining champion will thrive. This phase will occur from Jan. 15 – Jan 21.

The following teams will compete in the Florida Cup:

FC Challenge: Bayer Leverkusen (GER), VfL Wolfsburg (GER), Tampa Bay Rowdies (USA), Estudiantes de la Plata (ARG), CR Flamengo (BRA) and Clube Atletico Mineiro (BRA).

FC Playoff: SC Corinthians (BRA), Barcelona SC (ECU), Club Atlético River Plate (ARG), SC Internacional (BRA), Sao Paulo FC (BRA), Millonarios (COL), Vasco da Gama (BRA), Shanghai SIPG (CHN).

About the Florida Cup:

The Florida Cup is the largest international sporting event held annually in Central Florida. Broadcast live to over 170 countries, the tournament reaches over 650 million households. Globally recognized soccer clubs from four different continents will convene in Central Florida for this premier tournament – a final tune-up before the start of their respective campaigns. For more information on the Florida Cup, visit www.floridacup.com, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About I-Drive 360:

I-Drive 360 is a new $250 million entertainment complex and home to the iconic Coca-Cola Orlando Eye observation wheel. 

Located in the heart of Orlando’s popular International Drive, I-Drive 360 features a mix of attractions, restaurants, clubs and shops.  Joining the Orlando Eye is a spectacular SEA LIFE Aquarium and Madame Tussauds wax attraction, all operated by Merlin Entertainments. Skeletons Museum joins the attraction lineup with over 500 skeletons of animals from around the world.  Popular restaurants include Yard House, Tapa Tora, Kotai Sushi Bar, Paramount Mediterranean Cuisine, Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Shake Shack and Sugar Factory.  High energy entertainment is featured nightly at Tin Roof and Cowgirls Rockbar. A lush courtyard featuring a $1.5 million water show, set to lively music, completes I-Drive 360 as the centerpiece of the complex.  Free parking is available in a covered multi-level facility.  For more information, visit www.i-drive360.com.

– Florida Cup –

For Florida Cup: Lenny Santiago | (386) 451-5809 | lenny@lmsmarcomm.com
For Tampa Bay Rowdies: Nico Castillo | (813) 527-1376 | ncastillo@rowdiessoccer.com
For UCF: Nate Blythe | (407) 823-6489 | nblythe@athletics.ucf.edu