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.jpg) Aerial view of the Wide World of Sports Complex, 2008 | |
| Former names | Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex (1997–2010) |
|---|---|
| Location | Walt Disney World |
| Coordinates | 28°20′13.5″N 81°33′21.6″W / 28.337083°N 81.556000°W |
| Owner | Disney Experiences |
| Operator | Disney Sports Enterprises |
| Opened | March 28, 1997 |
| Tenants | |
| ESPN Events Invitational (NCAA Basketball) (2006–present) Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic (MLS) (2010–14) Gulf Coast League Braves (Gulf Coast League) (1997–2019) Atlanta Braves (Grapefruit League) (1997–2019) MLS is Back Tournament (MLS) (2020) 2020 NBA Bubble Playoffs (NBA) (2020) 2020–21 NBA G League season (2021) Tampa Bay Rays (Grapefruit League) (2023) | |
| Website | |
| ESPN WWS Official Website | |
| Walt Disney World |
|---|
| Theme parks |
| Water parks |
| Other attractions and areas |
| Resorts |
| Affiliated services |
| Transport |
The ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex is a 220-acre (89 ha) multi-purpose sports complex located at Walt Disney World in Bay Lake, Florida, United States, near Orlando. The complex allows families to combine tournaments and competition with a visit to vacation destinations in the area. The complex includes nine venues and hosts numerous professional and amateur sporting events throughout the year.
In reference to the weekly ABC Sports television show, Wide World of Sports (Disney bought ABC in 1996), the complex was originally known as Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex from 1997 until 2010, when it was rebranded with the name of the Disney-owned ESPN.
The complex is a part of the sports tourism emerging market.[1] The complex is mainly used for AAU tournaments; however, many prominent professional sporting events have taken place here, including the 2020 NBA Bubble, MLS is Back Tournament, 2016 Invictus Games, Pro Bowl skills competition from 2017 to 2020, 1997 U.S. Men's Clay Court Championships, and Atlanta Braves spring training from 1997 to 2019 among other events. The complex hosted the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games.
The Tampa Bay Rays used the complex for 2023 spring training, due to Charlotte Sports Park having been heavily damaged by Hurricane Ian.[2]
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
os3was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Berry, Adam. "What to know about Rays Spring Training". MLB.COM. MLB Advanced Media, LP. Retrieved February 19, 2023.