Orlando City Brings Back ‘Kickoff Week’ for Second Year Ahead of 2016 Season

It’s back for a second year. Orlando City has brought back its now annual “Kickoff Week” for the second consecutive season as buildup for the home opener on March 6 against Real Salt Lake.

The Lions will once again organize a tailgate party, 5K road race and a downtown pub crawl in the week leading up to the opener.

Although not officially part of Kickoff Week, Orlando City has also planned another open training session at the Citrus Bowl. Last year's event was a fun way to introduce the team to the community free of charge, and should be another well attended event this year. A new wrinkle into the event is that fans will have the first look at the new 2016 away jersey, before they're officially released to the masses.

You can check out a detailed event schedule here. Don't forget to register for the events if you want to go!

Here's a quick summary:

March 1 at 5 p.m. ET: Orlando City Tailgate with Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association

GA – $50, Cheyenne Saloon

The party will include appearances from some of the first-team squad players as well as the usual tailgate activities, food and games. Also, your $50 entry includes food, two drink tickets and a single-game ticket to the home opener against Real Salt Lake.

March 3 at 6:30 p.m. ET: 2nd Annual Purple Pride 5K

$30 now until Feb. 5, $32 from Feb. 6 to Feb. 26, $35 from Feb. 27 to March 1, Lake Eola Park

Thousands came out last year for the popular event and it should be well attended again this year. The race will also have game day festivities, confetti, tailgate games, and food trucks. If you decide to run, you'll get a Purple Pride 5K t-shirt (they ran out last year, so get there early just in case), a drink coupon good for one beer at the Heineken beer garden (the perfect post-race drink), and a single-game ticket to the Real Salt Lake game.

March 5 from 3 to 9 p.m. ET: 2nd Annual Pub Crawl

$25 before Feb. 26 ($35 after March 1), Church Street

They went for a record breaker last year, but this year it's still the same story. You get a choice of three free drinks (either Heinekens, Finlandia Vodka or other), a free opening day ticket, a live concert from Ballyhoo! and drink specials, including $3 Heineken Bottles, $4 Heineken Drafts and $4 Finlandia cocktails. Not a bad deal to get ready for the weekend game.

That's really all you need to know! Let the countdown to opening day begin.