Jarrod Dillon, President of Business Operations, Orlando City Soccer Club / Orlando Pride / Inter&Co Stadium

Jarrod Dillon, president of business operations at Orlando City Soccer Club, Orlando Pride and Inter&Co Stadium, sat down with Invest: to discuss the club’s strategic growth, community impact, and evolving fan experience amid rising soccer momentum and Central Florida’s dynamic entertainment landscape. “One of our biggest opportunities is continuing to evolve Inter&Co Stadium into a year-round destination,” said Dillon.

Reflecting on the past year, what have been the major milestones or strategic changes for Orlando City SC, the Orlando Pride, and Inter&Co Stadium?

Over the past year, Inter&Co Stadium hosted more than 200 events, including public, private and nonprofit gatherings, welcoming more than 750,000 attendees. This activity not only delivers strong value for our naming-rights partner but also generates significant economic impact for Orlando and Central Florida particularly in the tourism and sports tourism sectors. Highlights include Orlando City SC reaching the playoffs for a sixth consecutive year — the longest active streak in Major League Soccer. In 2024, the Orlando Pride captured both the NWSL Shield and the NWSL Championship and followed that up in 2025 by reaching the NWSL semi-finals, reinforcing the strength of our anchor tenants.

Last summer, Orlando was the only U.S. city to host FIFA Club World Cup matches at two venues: Inter&Co Stadium and Camping World Stadium. We were proud to partner with FIFA for the tournament’s first U.S. edition.

Looking ahead, we hope Orlando and Inter&Co Stadium will play a major role in the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup. We recently announced a partnership with the United Football League to bring the Orlando Storm to Inter&Co stadium this spring. The team will play five home games from March through May 2026, adding another layer of professional sports and economic opportunity for the region. Finally, we were thrilled to continue our relationship with U.S. women’s soccer: the national team defeated Italy in a friendly at Inter&Co Stadium the day after Thanksgiving, bringing together two of the world’s top teams.

What current trends are you observing in the sports and live entertainment industry across Central Florida, and how are they influencing your strategy?

Soccer fandom continues to surge across the U.S., and our soccer-specific venue is well positioned to benefit. With the FIFA Men’s World Cup coming to U.S. soil in summer 2026, we expect interest in the sport to climb even higher. Locally, Orlando City SC saw a nearly 30% year-over-year increase in viewership, while Orlando Pride viewership rose 20%. Internationally, Orlando City’s participation in global tournaments such as Leagues Cup drove a 48% increase in engagement.

The recent success of the Orlando Pride has continued to spark significant growth: a 57% rise in season-ticket memberships, a 20% increase in attendance, and a nearly 30% boost in corporate sponsorships. The Pride was the most-followed team in the NWSL on social media in 2025. Soccer’s momentum in Orlando and across the country has never been stronger, and we’re proud to be part of that growth.

How is Orlando City SC evolving its business model, partnerships, and investments to enhance both its global reach and its connection to the local community?

One of our biggest opportunities is continuing to evolve Inter&Co Stadium into a year-round destination. We’re focused on expanding our economic impact by attracting more third-party events — from concerts and public gatherings to private functions — as well as events tied to our new partnership with the UFL.

Central Florida is a competitive market, with world-class convention centers, hotels and resorts. Inter&Co Stadium provides something unique for private events: a professional soccer field, locker rooms and media spaces that help create unforgettable, experiential events for clients and guests year-round.

Beyond business, we’re committed to being a community asset. For the past 10 years during Thanksgiving, we host our annual Turkey Drive, serving more than 2,000 local families in partnership with Heart of Florida United Way, Publix and local leaders from City of Orlando District 5.

Thanks to our corporate partners, we’re able to extend our reach. Inter supports our grassroots financial literacy program, and Orlando Health — our jersey sponsor for both teams — helps power a wide range of philanthropic initiatives. Whether it’s hosting events, engaging players, or encouraging employee volunteerism, community impact is central to our core values and in making a lasting difference in the community.

How is the organization balancing local fan engagement with efforts to expand the international footprint of both Orlando City SC and the Orlando Pride?

Balancing local engagement with global reach is a key focus for us. While we prioritize fans who attend games and support us in person, we also recognize that many of our supporters around the world may never step foot in the stadium. That’s why creating meaningful digital content is essential — it helps fans everywhere feel connected to our teams. We’ve invested heavily in content creation across social media and our website, and it’s paying off: The Orlando Pride was the most-followed team in the NWSL on social media in 2025. That success reflects not only the incredible athletes we’ve had, but also the strategic investment in our people and storytelling.

At the industry level, demand for live sports continues to soar. Sports dominate U.S. television ratings, with events such as the Super Bowl consistently topping the charts. This surge is driving record media rights deals and franchise valuations. We’re especially excited about the rapid growth of women’s sports. The NWSL is expanding quickly, and we’re proud to be one of the league’s most aggressive investors.

Last summer, we signed Jacquie Ovalle from Mexico for a world-record transfer fee in women’s soccer. Locally, we’re focused on enhancing the fan experience at Inter&Co Stadium. We’ve invested in major offseason projects to upgrade seating, introduce new premium areas, including a new concept called Sideline Social, as well as adding several large industrial fans to our concourses to improve the fan experience, especially during those very hot and humid summer months. Additional renovations are being evaluated to make the venue even more enjoyable and welcoming for all guests.

Can you share some of the most impactful stadium upgrades or technology integrations that have enhanced the fan experience at Inter&Co Stadium?

Three years ago, Inter&Co Stadium underwent its most significant technology upgrade since opening in 2017. Staying competitive with newer facilities is a priority, and our owners have invested several million dollars to enhance the fan experience, highlighted by a state-of-the-art video board, new LED signage, upgraded audio systems, improved Wi-Fi, concourse fans, and immersive game-presentation features such as fireworks and light shows.

We believe that while we can’t control the outcome on the field, we can shape the fan experience. On match nights, more than 700 staff members — from guest services to food and beverage staff — are trained to deliver exceptional service. That commitment has paid off: for the third consecutive year, our guest satisfaction scores exceeded 4.2 out of 5, placing us among the top venues in sports and entertainment.

Another key investment area is food and beverage. We’ve made concessions central to the guest experience through our “Orlando Made” program. Approximately 24 local vendors with strong ties to Central Florida are now featured in the stadium. These local brands not only enhance the authenticity of our venue but also benefit from the exposure and foot traffic of a major sports facility. By combining technology, hospitality and local flavor, we’re proud to deliver a guest experience that’s both memorable and uniquely Orlando.

Looking ahead, what is your long-term vision for the next three to five years across the club and stadium operations, and what are your main priorities for achieving it?

In our industry, the challenge is staying ahead — not just reacting to where things are now but anticipating where they’re going. At our core, we’re part of the entertainment sector, and for most people, attending games or events is a discretionary expense. That means we’re constantly competing for share of attention and wallet, especially in a vibrant market such as Central Florida.

We closely monitor economic indicators, consumer confidence, job growth and financial trends. We also stay engaged with partners such as Visit Orlando and the Orlando Economic Partnership to understand the broader marketplace landscape. It’s not just about our business; it’s about how we fit into the region’s growth. Live events and media consumption are central to our long-term strategy. We’re thinking beyond individual teams and focusing on how leagues position themselves in the evolving media environment. Growing our following through digital engagement is key, especially as we aim to extend the fan experience beyond the 90 minutes of a match.

I’m bullish on Central Florida. The region continues to attract new residents, and its strengths — hospitality, entertainment and education — make it a very attractive and competitive destination. At the same time, we recognize our community challenges, including transportation and affordable housing. Addressing these issues is vital to sustaining growth. I have strong confidence in our elected officials and private-sector leaders. Their collaboration is essential to making Orlando and Central Florida a desirable place to live, work, play and invest.

ADDITIONAL ANSWER PROVIDED FOR ARTICLE ON SPORTS LANDSCAPE IN ORLANDO:

How do you view Orlando’s current position within the national sports landscape, and where do you see the region heading over the next year?

Orlando has firmly established itself as one of the premier sports destinations in the United States, and its position within the national landscape has never been stronger. What sets this region apart is not just our event success or venue quality – it’s the unified ecosystem behind the scenes that consistently delivers at the highest level.

This success is amplified by the collective strength of partners such as Greater Orlando Sports Commission, Visit Orlando, the Orange County Convention Center, multiple professional sports teams, and an unparalleled lineup of world‑class venues.

Just as important is the commitment from our elected leadership. Our city and county officials across the region understand the economic impact and long‑term value of being a top-tier sports destination. Their vision and investment have helped create an environment where major rights holders, governing bodies, and event operators know Orlando is both capable and forward‑thinking.

The broader sports industry has taken notice as well. In March of 2024, the Sports Business Journal named Orlando the No. 1 Sports Business City for Attracting and Hosting Events, a recognition that reflects both our accomplishments and our momentum. It validated what many of us inside the market already knew: Orlando isn’t just competing nationally—it’s leading.

Looking ahead, I expect Orlando’s trajectory to continue rising across several fronts:

1 – Dominance as a national events hub. With elite venues, operational expertise, and unmatched tourism infrastructure, Orlando will remain at the top of the list for major events seeking scale, reliability, and exceptional fan experience.

2 – Growth in international and global sport. As U.S. hosting opportunities expand and global competitions rotate through the region, Orlando is positioned to play a larger role on the world stage, especially in soccer and multi‑sport events.

3 – Expansion of sports tourism. Youth and amateur sports will continue to thrive here, driven by an ideal combination of facilities, family appeal, and destination experience.

4 – Increased Investment and Innovation. Orlando is continuing to invest in its venues and infrastructure to stay ahead of the curve.

Orlando’s rise is not accidental. It’s the result of a coordinated, community-wide commitment to excellence in sports tourism, event hosting, and strategic investment. The region has earned national recognition, and all indicators point to an even stronger year ahead. Orlando isn’t just part of the sports landscape – it’s helping define its future.