2013 Quidditch World Cup Set for Austin Tindall Park in Kissimmee, 4/13-14

This April 13 & 14, over 80 quidditch teams from around the world will descend on Austin Tindall Park in Kissimmee, FL for the 2013 Quidditch World Cup-two days of games, live entertainment, and food vendors at an action-packed sports event best described as "a cross between a medieval festival and the Super Bowl."

Real-life quidditch has become an intense and popular game, adapted by college students in 2005 from JK Rowling's Harry Potter novels and now played at over 700 schools worldwide. Best described as a co-ed, full- contact cross between rugby and dodgeball, quidditch is one of the fastest growing sports in the world with tournaments held around the globe on a weekly basis.

The World Cup marks the culmination of the year-long quidditch season. For the first time, teams must qualify at Regional Championship tournaments in order to play in the event, resulting in the most elite and entertaining quidditch competition ever. Dozens of teams from around the world will compete, as players from Canada, France, Mexico and Australia join U.S. teams for the most internationally diverse cup yet. In total over 1,600 athletes will strive to best each other on 10 fields of continuous play throughout the weekend.

Between and during the games, spectators can shop for magical merchandise or snack on food from local vendors as they experience a diverse array of entertainers and musicians. There will also be a special pitch reserved for "kidditch" all day long, where children can hop on a broom and try their hand at the magical sport.

The tournament will be capped off with a very special after-party event - more information and tickets are available at www.visitkissimmee.com/sports/quidditch/quidditch.

The World Cup is hosted by the International Quidditch Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and governing the real-life sport of Quidditch. The event is family-friendly and open to the public. Tickets start at $9.99 and are currently available online, as well as for purchase at the door. For more information, visit www.worldcupquidditch.com.

The Quidditch World Cup is hosted with the assistance of Experience Kissimmee, formerly known as the Kissimmee Convention & Visitors Bureau, the tourism marketing department for Osceola County. Kissimmee is the gateway to fun with year-round warm weather, close proximity to all of Orlando's world famous theme parks, vibrant downtowns and entertainment districts full of restaurants and shopping, and a diverse slate of outdoor adventures ranging from slow and easy to rollercoaster thrilling.

The International Quidditch Association promotes and governs the real-life sport of quidditch, facilitating competitive play through annual tournaments and regional conferences. Since 2007 the IQA has helped schools and clubs form more than 1,000 teams in 45 US states and 33 countries. The IQA aims to increase athletic participation and community improvement among children and young adults world-wide through organizing civic events and outreach programs. For more information on the sport of quidditch, the various teams and tournament, or to learn more about the mission of the IQA, visit www.internationalquidditch.org.

The IQA is not affiliated with Time Warner, Warner Bros., or JK Rowling.