The ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex is a multi-sport campus on Walt Disney World property, southwest of Orlando. Most of the year it runs as a giant venue for youth and amateur sport: travel baseball, cheerleading, AAU basketball, volleyball and track. Several times a year it also hosts pro events and national championships, which draw teams and families from across the country.
What is ESPN Wide World of Sports?
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opened | 1997, as Disney’s Wide World of Sports |
| Current name | ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, since 2010 |
| Owner | The Walt Disney Company |
| Size | Around 220 acres |
| Location | Walt Disney World Resort, near Kissimmee, off Osceola Parkway |
| Main use | Youth and amateur tournaments, national championships, pro and college events |
Disney partnered with its own ESPN brand in 2010 to rename the complex and add broadcast-ready features. Atlanta Braves spring training ran here from 1998 to 2019.
Where is the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex located?
The complex sits on the south side of Walt Disney World, close to Disney’s Animal Kingdom and the All-Star resort hotels. It lies about 20 miles from downtown Orlando and around 25 minutes by car from Orlando International Airport, depending on traffic. Most visitors arrive via Interstate 4 and Osceola Parkway.
Many visitors search for “ESPN Wide World of Sports Orlando,” but the mailing address is Kissimmee and the complex is not in the city of Orlando itself.
Venues and map
| Venue | What happens there |
|---|---|
| The Stadium | Baseball stadium with about 9,500 seats plus grass berm seating. Hosted MLB spring training and regular-season games, now college and youth baseball |
| J Center | Indoor arena, formerly the Jostens Center. Basketball and volleyball courts, national championships, runDisney expos |
| Indoor field house and arenas | Basketball, volleyball, cheerleading and dance competitions |
| Outdoor diamonds | Baseball and softball fields for multi-team tournaments |
| Multipurpose fields | Soccer, lacrosse, flag football, rugby |
| Track and field complex | Youth and amateur track meets |
Pick up a map at your event’s check-in or download it from the event organizer. The site is big: walking from the outer fields to the stadium can take 15 minutes in the heat.
Events and schedule
The complex runs events almost every weekend. Recurring highlights include:
- Youth baseball and softball tournaments, including week-long summer events. Ripken Baseball partnered with Walt Disney World to run youth baseball weeks at the complex in the summers of 2025 and 2026.
- Pop Warner national championships for youth football and cheer and dance squads, a fixture each December.
- Cheerleading and dance competitions, which fill the indoor arenas through winter and spring.
- AAU basketball and volleyball events.
- runDisney race weekend expos.
- Touring exhibitions such as Banana Ball games at The Stadium.
The complex made global headlines in 2020 when the NBA finished its season in a “bubble” there and Major League Soccer staged the MLS is Back Tournament on its fields.
Check the official ESPN Wide World of Sports event calendar for the current schedule. For pro and college events across the region, see the calendar of sports events in Orlando.
Tickets and admission
Admission depends on the event. Some youth tournaments let spectators in free. Others charge a daily or multi-day spectator pass, and major events sell reserved tickets through Ticketmaster. Athletes and coaches usually get credentials through their team registration. Parking policies also vary by event, so read the event page before you drive in.
Hotels near ESPN Wide World of Sports
| Area | Drive time | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Disney’s All-Star Sports, Music and Movies resorts | About 5 minutes | Teams on Disney sports packages, families who want park access |
| Disney’s Pop Century and Art of Animation | About 10 minutes | Value Disney stays |
| Disney’s Coronado Springs | About 10 minutes | Coaches and parents who want a quieter resort |
| US-192 corridor in Kissimmee | 10 to 20 minutes | Lower rates, suites with kitchens for large families |
| Disney Springs area hotels | About 15 minutes | Restaurants and shopping after games |
Disney resort buses don’t run to the complex on a regular public schedule. Many teams on official sports travel packages get dedicated transport. Otherwise, plan on driving or using rideshare.
Weather at ESPN Wide World of Sports
Central Florida summers bring heat indexes above 100°F and near-daily afternoon thunderstorms. Lightning within a set radius stops outdoor play, sometimes for an hour or more, so schedules slip. Bring:
- refillable water bottles
- sunscreen and hats
- a small cooling towel
- rain ponchos (umbrellas block views in the bleachers)
Winter weekends from December to February are mild, though early mornings can feel cold on the fields.
Food on site
Concession stands open across the complex during events, serving burgers, hot dogs, pizza and snacks. The ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill, the sit-down restaurant on site, has changed its hours and operating status over the years, so check before you plan a team meal there. Disney Springs, 15 minutes away, has the widest choice for group dinners.
Other youth sports venues around Orlando
Not every tournament lands at the ESPN complex. Central Florida has a dense network of fields and arenas, including county-run sports complexes in Seminole and Osceola counties. Organizations such as the Central Florida Sports Commission work with event owners to bring national tournaments to the region and its hotels. While you’re in town, you can also catch one of the Orlando sports teams, from the NBA’s Magic to the NWSL champion Pride.
FAQ
Is ESPN Wide World of Sports part of Disney World?
Yes. The complex sits on Walt Disney World property and Disney owns it. Theme park tickets don’t include entry, and the complex doesn’t require a park ticket.
Can you visit ESPN Wide World of Sports without an event?
The complex opens to the public around scheduled events. There are no tours or attractions on days without competition.
How big is ESPN Wide World of Sports?
The campus covers roughly 220 acres with a stadium, several indoor arenas and dozens of outdoor fields.
What sports are played at ESPN Wide World of Sports?
Baseball, softball, basketball, volleyball, cheerleading, dance, soccer, lacrosse, football, track and field and more.
Did the Atlanta Braves play at ESPN Wide World of Sports?
Yes. The Braves held spring training at the complex from 1998 to 2019, then moved to North Port, Florida.