Orange County tourism council recommends $35 million tourist-tax plan for NBA All-Star and Olympic qualifiers bids
Tourist-tax funding package advances to Orange County Commission for final vote
Orange County’s Tourist Development Council has unanimously recommended a $35 million allocation of Tourist Development Tax (TDT) revenue to pursue two major event efforts: a bid to host an NBA All-Star Week in 2029 or 2030 and a bid to host an Olympic qualifying series event in 2028.
The recommendation is scheduled to move next to the Orange County Board of County Commissioners, with final action expected at a public meeting on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. The proposed funding is structured around both bid-related costs and event-delivery costs that would apply only if Orlando is awarded the events.
How the proposed $35 million would be divided
$20 million earmarked to support hosting either the 2029 or 2030 NBA All-Star Week.
Up to $500,000 designated for NBA All-Star bid expenses.
$15 million proposed to support hosting the Olympic qualifying series if Orlando is selected as a host city.
Up to $150,000 designated for Olympic bid expenses.
The NBA funding would support a bid targeting multiple potential date windows, including Feb. 13–18, 2029, and two February 2030 windows. The Olympic qualifying bid is tied to three potential windows in late May and early June 2028: May 25–28, June 1–4, or June 8–11, 2028.
Venues under consideration and what would be staged where
Planning materials reviewed in connection with the recommendation identify a multi-venue footprint for an NBA All-Star Week concept that would include the Kia Center, the Orange County Convention Center, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, and Addition Financial Arena at the University of Central Florida.
For the proposed Olympic qualifying series stop, events under consideration include flag football, beach volleyball, BMX freestyle, skateboarding, and climbing, with Camping World Stadium and the adjacent Tinker Field identified as likely locations.
Economic projections and prior hosting history
Event organizers’ projections presented alongside the recommendation forecast $300 million in economic impact for an NBA All-Star Week, with an estimated 150,000 attendees and 50,000 projected room nights. For the Olympic qualifying event concept, the projected economic impact is $48 million, with attendance projected at 100,000.
Orlando previously hosted the NBA All-Star Game in 1992 and 2012.
Separately, regional organizers have also signaled interest in positioning Orlando as a torch-run city in the lead-up to the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, a designation that is distinct from hosting competition events.
What happens next
If approved by county commissioners, the recommendation would authorize TDT-backed spending designed to strengthen Orlando’s competitiveness in national and international event bid processes, while reserving the largest portions of the package for use only if the bids are successful. The commission’s upcoming vote will determine whether the recommended allocations move forward as county policy and budget commitments.