Metallica concert, Orlando City match makes for busy night in Downtown Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. — Heavy metal band Metallica will perform in Orlando for the first time in 14 years Wednesday night.

It’s the band’s first North American tour in 2009.

They’ll take the stage at Camping World Stadium, and fans who bought tickets months ago said they’re ready.

Metallica fan Mark Stewart said he came from Fort Myers for the big show.

“Nowadays, it’s more nostalgia, something I grew up with. I mean, I still like it, but it brings back memories and makes me feel like a teenager again,” he said.

Big crowds are expected in Downtown Orlando not just for the concert, but also for the Orlando City Soccer match.

Photos: Metallica performing live at various shows 

Allen Johnson, executive director of Orlando Venues, said the two events were just more proof that the major reconstruction of Camping World Stadium has helped make the city a destination for music acts and other large events.

"It's already proven its worth by economic impact studies that we've done that prove the $207 million investment in Camping World Stadium is bringing these kind of events to Orlando," he said.

The stadium has hosted other major acts since the reconstruction, including The Rolling Stones, the Electric Daisy Carnival and Monster Jam.

The reconstruction, which took place between 2014 and 2015, along with work done at the Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center, are being paid for with a tourist development tax.

The venues and tax income have been performing so strongly that Johnson said Orlando Venues is advancing payments.

"It's being paid for by the people who are coming to these events and staying in our hotels," he said. "It's reimbursing through that way."

Cox Media Group