While we wait to hear what the Magic will be doing, if anything, with the land across the street from the Amway Center we do have some good news about the every expanding calendar of world class events lined up for the Amway Center itself. The Orlando Predators announced recently that they will play host to the ArenaBowl XXVI in August. The bowl game is the Arena Football Leagues annual Championship game where the winner of the American Conference plays the National Conference winner. This year's game will air live on CBS across the nation when it is held on August 17, 2013 at 1pm. The game will also feature
The game expects to be one of the biggest in the history of the AFL. Jerry B. Kurz, AFL Commissioner, explains "the AFL is excited about the opportunity in Orlando and believes that with the game being broadcast on CBS and the addition of a headlining concert draw, it will contribute to ArenaBowl XXVI being the most watched arena football game to date."
The timing of the game in August will also help boost the local economy in a typically slower month. Visit Orlando's CFO, COO Larry Henrichs states "Visit Orlando is thrilled to be playing a part in ArenaBowl XXVI during August - a slower time of year for both leisure and business travel - and to be giving travelers more reasons to plan a trip to Central Florida this year."
The Predators themselves recently made news by being the first team in professional sports history to guarantee on-field performance to season ticket holders. The guarantee says that the team will win at least 10 games or the ticket holders will be credited towards future season tickets on a sliding scaled based on the number of wins. The season has 18 games on the schedule and the team will either win 10 of those or credit the season ticket holders. Make sure to check out their website for all the details.
Here are some clips of the key parts of the press conference announcing ArenaBowl XXVI:
