Inter&Co to build on Orlando City-Pride brands

Article posted by Coliseum, February 1^st, 2024

Image: Orlando City SC

The Inter&Co, a leading provider of financial and digital commerce services, the Major League Soccer (MLS) team Orlando City SC and the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team Orlando Pride recently announced a long-term agreement to name the teams’ home venue the Inter&Co Stadium.

‘Orlando City SC’ stated that in September last year, the Inter&Co became the Official Financial Institution of Orlando’s Major League Soccer (MLS) and National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) teams.

The Inter&Co is a Brazil-based company that operates as a digital bank and offers a range of services. These services include banking, investments, credit, insurance, and cross-border solutions.

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The Orlando City Soccer Club, known as the Orlando City SC or simply Orlando City, is an American professional soccer club in Orlando, Florida (US), which competes as a member of the Eastern Conference in Major League Soccer (MLS), the top division in the United States soccer league system.

The Orlando Pride is a professional women’s soccer team based in Orlando, Florida (US). The team joined the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), the top level of women’s soccer in the United States, for the 2016 season. It became the 10^th team to be added to the league.

The 25,000-capacity Inter&Co Stadium is a soccer-specific stadium in downtown Orlando, Florida (US). The stadium is located along the West Church Street in the Parramore neighborhood West of Downtown Orlando. It serves as the home pitches of the Orlando City SC and the Orlando Pride.

‘Orlando City SC’ further stated that the enhanced relationship in Orlando designates the Inter&Co as the first international partner for the club. The Inter&Co is also the first financial institution with Latin-American roots to own the naming rights of a major stadium in the United States.

Maintained Mark Wilf, Chairman, Orlando City SC, “It’s only fitting that as we enter our 10^th season in MLS here in Orlando and ninth in the NWSL, that we would partner for the next decade with a global company not only committed to our community but with a shared vision for the future. We are truly excited about what we will build together, enhancing the fan experience in the venue and further connecting our soccer cultures in meaningful ways.”

Remarked João Vitor Menin, head honcho of Inter&Co, “We are excited to take our partnership with Orlando to the next level. This is a breakthrough moment for our company as we expand our presence in the United States – it will allow us to connect with Orlando’s young and diverse population, including a vibrant Latino community, through our shared love for soccer. And we could not have asked for a better partner to build upon this state-of-the-art venue where the Central Floridians come together and visitors from all over the world have memorable experiences.”

Inter, which is part of the Inter&Co economic group, is a digital banking pioneer in Brazil serving more than 30 million clients with the convenience of paying bills, saving, investing, shopping, and earning rewards in a single app. The company has a long history of supporting and investing in soccer, including relationships with the Brazilian football teams Club Athletico Paranaense, Fortaleza Esporte Clube and the 46,000-capacity Arena MRV, home to the Brazilian football club Clube Atlético Mineiro. In the United States, clients can open no-fee digital accounts and send remittances to 60+ countries through the Inter&Co app, among other services.

Added Wilf, “As we look for ways to build on our club’s successes, we know the Inter&Co will be a vital partner in continuing to grow the Orlando City and Orlando Pride brands in the global landscape, both on the field and off. We look forward to collaborating on ways to not only expand our business profiles in Latin and South America, but we are excited for the future benefits that our soccer sides will reap through expanded competition, scouting and brand awareness opportunities.”

The Major League Soccer (MLS) is a men’s professional soccer league sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation, which represents the sport’s highest level in the United States. The league comprises 29 teams – 26 in the United States and 3 in Canada – since the 2023 season. The league is headquartered in Midtown Manhattan.

The National Women’s Soccer League is a professional women’s soccer league at the top of the United States league system. Headquartered in New York City, it is owned by the teams and, until 2020, was under a management contract with the United States Soccer Federation.

State-of-the-Art Technology

Backed by partnership investments from the club ownership, the Inter&Co Stadium has begun an enhancement project that will bring greater technology to the venue. The upgrades include five million new light-emitting diode (LED) pixels, a new state-of-the-art videoboard, new fascia LED throughout the bowl, a 16’x9’ LED wall in the West Club, as well as over 200+ new TV monitors throughout the suites, premium spaces, concession stands, and the lower-level concourse.

Additionally, the fans will experience new, interactive concourse displays, Wi-Fi 6 and 6E, the most up-to-date technology available today, 5G antennas for increased cellphone coverage and new hospitality options such as ‘The Terrace’ in Section 1. The additional enhancements will be announced prior to the start of the regular season.

The venue will officially reopen to the public on January 27^th when the Orlando City SC will host a preseason FC Series friendly against Brazil’s Clube de Regatas do Flamengo. The 2024 MLS home opener is slated for February 24^th when the Orlando City SC hosts its peer team CF Montréal, with the Pride season set to kick off in March 2024.

World-Class Entertainment

The Inter&Co, Orlando City and the Orlando Pride envision the stadium, located in the heart of Downtown Orlando, as a world-class sports and entertainment venue. In addition to the MLS, the NWSL and the marquee international soccer matches, the stadium will continue to expand its profile by bringing cultural and music events, starting with a post-game concert for ticketholders following a 2024 Orlando City match.

A Financial Partner to Fans

As the Official Sponsor for accounts, debit and credit cards, mortgages, and remittances, the Inter&Co will be a financial partner to the Orlando fans, who will get exclusive access to a full suite of products on the company’s Super App, as well as rewards, perks and unique experiences at the Inter&Co Stadium.

Averred João Vitor Menin, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Inter&Co, “We make it accessible, easy and convenient to manage your money well, in a single app. Most Americans tend to be underserved and overcharged in their banking relationship. And we want to change that, just like we did in Brazil for over 30 million clients.”

Commitment to Community

As part of its commitment to the greater Orlando community, the Inter&Co will join forces with the clubs to introduce new grassroots initiatives to enrich and support the neighbors of the Inter&Co Stadium. The Inter&Co will enhance the local financial literacy programs for the youth with other programs announced in the coming months.

Added Menin, “By putting our name on the stadium, we are making a pledge to the Orlando community. We believe in the transformative power of financial education and technology to unlock possibilities, and we’re here to do that for each and every Central Floridian.”

The Exploria Resorts, the venue’s previous naming rights partner since June 2019, will continue as the Exclusive, Official Vacation Club of the Orlando City SC and the Orlando Pride.

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