By Jim Carchidi
May 20, 2026
A game-changing Seminole County venue will expand the region’s hosting ability for sports and community events. County commissioners unanimously voted to start a bidding period for construction management, design, and engineering services in the development of a $175 million indoor complex with the potential to expand the county's tourism economy.
Flexible spaces
Images courtesy of Seminole County Government
The 178,000-square-foot facility will be located near Orlando Sanford International Airport, on open lands west of East Lake Mary Boulevard and north of Moore’s Station Road. Designed with ample indoor tournament space, the complex will enhance the county’s current number of six outdoor facilities. The proposal includes the following accommodations:
- A 2,500-seat championship court
- 12 basketball courts
- 22 indoor volleyball courts
- A 25-court beach volleyball complex
The range of tournament and championship uses included with the proposal (available to view here) also feature space configurations for gymnastics and dance competitions. The facility will also provide spaces for management and teams and house a cafe.
Beyond sports
Tournaments are just the beginning as the facility is designed for multiple purposes. Seminole County Public Schools and local organizations would benefit from a 540-seat banquet floor plan and flex spaces, which can accommodate commencement ceremonies and other large-scale events. The facility would also act as an emergency shelter during hurricane season.
Economic impacts
County projections estimate the complex could host 32 tournaments over 67 days in its first year of operation. The numbers could grow to 63 tournaments over 126 days within the first 10 years.
The complex is projected to earn just over $1.6 million in its first year and events could result in more than 300,000 annual visitors within five years. The impact of hotel, restaurant and entertainment spending would add to the overall economic benefit. In an interview with WESH 2 News, Seminole County director of economic development and tourism Gui Cunha said the economic impact could reach $2.4 billion.
Revenue from Seminole County’s tourism improvement district fee – a $1.75 nightly per-room fee for tourism properties with 60 or more rooms – and tourist development tax would cover $65 million of the estimated $175 million project cost. The remaining funds would come from the county’s penny sales tax.
There is currently no construction timeline and the dimensions and layouts provided in the proposal may change once the engineering and architectural design phase begins.
Sponsor: The Orlando Real is sponsored by the Pozek Group — the #1 real estate team in Orlando and the Official Real Estate Team of the Orlando Magic.
About the Author
Jim Carchidi is an Orlando journalist and photographer with previous work at the Orlando Sentinel and Orlando Business Journal. He covers development, arts, culture, and local stories for The Orlando Real.
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1 Response to Inside Seminole County’s proposed sports complex
Amazing project!
Posted by Maria de Fatima Cunha & Carlos cunha on Monday, May 25th, 2026 at 3:20pmLeave A Comment