Why Orlando Is MLB’s Best Next City
A Major League City in Waiting
Orlando is the largest U.S. media market without an MLB team — and it’s growing faster than any competing city. Ranked #15 nationally (soon to be #14), Orlando towers over Nashville (#26), Raleigh (#22), Charlotte (#21), and Austin (#34).
To further underscore this point, Orlando’s Combined Statistical Area population of nearly 4.7 million people is nearly double that of both Raleigh (approx. 2.44 million people) and Nashville (2.4 million people). Orlando is the second fastest growing metro population among the top 30 markets and outpaces all potential expansion cities.
No other market comes remotely close to Orlando’s population size, growth trajectory, and proven passion for baseball.
Tourism: Orlando’s X-Factor
Orlando is North America’s #1 travel destination, welcoming approximately 80 million visitors annually. That’s nearly double Las Vegas’s tourist numbers, the model MLB followed when moving the A’s. Tourism ensures full ballparks, creates a stable tax base to fund stadiums, and guarantees Orlando’s team will be a national attraction from day one.
- World’s 7th busiest airport connects fans from everywhere.
- Orlando’s largest tourism development tax is the largest in the U.S., already earmarked for stadium-ready projects.
- Peak tourist season = peak baseball season.
A Stadium Solution Already in Place
Unlike other cities still debating, Orlando has answers:
- Financing secured: Over $1 billion under LOI from qualified backers.
- Public–private balance: Only expansion city able to fund 50%+ of stadium costs without unpopular “jock taxes.”
- Site and design ready: Shovel-ready compared to competing markets stuck in negotiations.
Expanding MLB’s Revenue Pie
Adding new franchises divides revenue, unless a city grows the pie. Orlando is the only candidate that guarantees more money for every owner:
- Orlando’s projected annual attendance exceeds competitors by 1 million fans, generating $100M+ more in local revenue per year.
- That means larger contributions to MLB’s revenue pool, reducing subsidies for weaker markets.
- Unlike other cities, Orlando doesn’t need ancillary development deals to survive, here, baseball itself is the business.
- The stadium design in Orlando is for 45,000 fans each game because this market will generate that type of interest. Other markets are focusing on smaller, “more intimate” stadium design which caps potential revenue generation.
Florida’s Real Baseball City
Skeptical about Florida? Orlando is different.
- Youngest population of any major Florida city (average age 33).
- Family-focused tourism market the Rays and Marlins never had.
- A deep local connection: From youth baseball to Hall of Famers, the game is woven into Central Florida’s DNA.
Location Is No Barrier
The Rays aren’t competition, they’re two hours away. In fact, 15 MLB team pairs are closer to each other than Orlando is to Tampa. MLB thrived moving the Expos to Washington, just 38 miles from Baltimore. Proximity strengthens rivalries and is additive to revenue generation.
Backed by Baseball Greatness
Hall of Famer Barry Larkin isn’t just lending his name, he’s lending his passion, his credibility, and his commitment to the Orlando community. Like Las Vegas had local champions, Orlando has one of baseball’s most respected leaders making the case.
