The Orange County Sports Commission (OCSC) aims to promote OC as a destination not only to tourists but also to the sports community.
The Anaheim-based organization was founded in 2019 and is currently led by senior director Anthony Brenneman, and in recent years has focused on booking and promoting sporting events and attracting more sports organizations to the area. I've been focusing on doing that.
OCSC has earned the rights to host the volleyball NCAA Championships in 2025 and 2026, making it the first time on the West Coast. Anaheim's Honda Center is scheduled to be the venue for volleyball at the 2028 Olympics.
Last year, OCSC helped bring the International Men's Volleyball Nations League to the arena at the Anaheim Convention Center for a week of preliminary games. During the five-day event, he sold more than 30,000 tickets and generated approximately $1 million in revenue.
Olympics, soccer, surfing
With the Los Angeles Olympics coming up in 2028, Brenneman sees the next few years as an opportunity to integrate OC into a region known for its sports ecosystem.
Brenneman believes OCSC will help modernize OC's infrastructure in preparation for the 2028 Olympics and other important events.
He noted that some games at the 2026 FIFA World Cup are scheduled to be played in Southern California, which has already led to talk of making OC a training location or base for some national teams.
The committee is looking at several sports that have the potential to showcase OC as a sports tourism destination.
Brenneman and his team also supported the World Surf League's marketing campaign by partnering with Amtrak Surfliner trains for the San Clemente event in September.
The Anaheim Convention Center most recently hosted the National Women's Soccer League 2024 Draft on January 12th.
The organization also strives to improve swimming-related sports such as swimming, water polo, and diving in the OC.
“We're dancing as fast as we can,” Brenneman said.
Corporate links
Last year, Brenneman and his team completed a strategic plan that will guide the commission through booking new sports organizations and games, increasing community involvement, and building awareness of OC as a venue of the future over the next four years. Ta.
One of OCSC's immediate strategies is to strengthen its corporate partnerships.
The committee currently has support from hospitality and entertainment groups such as local hotels, the OC Fair & Event Center, Knott's Berry Farm, and other tourism entities.
“We're looking at the Fortune 500 and 1,000 companies that have roots here in OC,” Brenneman told the Business Journal.
“Sports is the best way to express an agenda without being threatening,” he said.
The executive said he is looking to tap into the business sector's awareness of corporate social responsibility, which could lead to community giving programs, company-branded scholarships or employee events. He said there is.
In partnership with Volleyball World, OCSC aims to mirror a recent program in which the event organization donated $1,500 worth of volleyballs to Anaheim High School. The impetus was the men's volleyball event “Volleyball World” held in Anaheim last year.
“We have all the right resources here at OC,” Brenneman said.
Another goal is to add more local executives to the advisory board, blending both sports advocates and business leaders.
“They will be an additional layer of people with more connections,” he added. “We are looking for ambitious companies that understand the role sport can play in business challenges.”
OCSC sees potential in partnering with companies in OC's banking and financial industry, as well as in the healthcare sector.
