ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex At Disney World Named Best Facility of the Year

Congratulations to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World who was just named Best Facility of the Year by Sports Business Journal! This award recognizes the facility’s ability to host events that are both memorable and significant while at the same time delivering exceptional customer service experiences for athletes, coaches and fans.

The 200-acre Disney facility was lauded for its ability to pull off the logistical feat of hosting both the NBA Restart and MLS Is Back Tournaments in a matter of weeks. This achievement of overlapping major sporting events would be impressive enough, but to also make this happen flawlessly during a pandemic is quite impressive.

Credit: Disney

During the height of the pandemic, sports events were suspended for months, turning ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Complex into the center of the sporting universe. These achievement helped push the sports world back to normal after the closures.

The ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex was selected from a list of top facilities that included:

• The Dallas Cowboys’ stadium
• Dickies Arena in Ft. Worth, Texas
• The Texas Rangers’ Globelife Park
• The Lake Point Sports complex in Atlanta.

The complex was also praised for its extensive construction, which included the building of two expansive broadcast compounds and installing innovative blue screens and high-tech video walls in order to accommodate the NBA and MLS events.

Credit: Disney

Disney Sports Vice President Faron Kelley said in accepting the award:

“None of this would have been possible without the trust and collaboration of the leagues. The cast at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex should always be proud that when they talk about the ‘bubble’ that they are talking about you and the great job that you did.’’

The recognition given to the Disney complex further highlights the facility’s impressive track record of 25 years in hosting major events for national and international youth, collegiate, and professional sports.

Credit: Disney

The ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex has hosted many events including the following:

• NFL Pro Bowl Week activities
• The Invictus Games
• The inaugural World Baseball Classic
• The NBA Pre-Draft Camp
• The AAU National Basketball Championships
• The Pop Warner Super Bowl

But that’s not all, in the next 12 months, the Scripps National Spelling Bee, the 2021 Department of Defense Warrior Games and the 2022 Special Olympics are all scheduled to take place at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex with even more major sports events expected to be announced soon.

ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex celebrated its 20th anniversary on Tuesday, March 28th, 2017 / Credit: Disney

During the 50^th anniversary celebration of Walt Disney World Resort’s, an 18-month long event kicking off October 1st, the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex will also be celebrating it’s 25^th anniversary. The complex opened in March 1997 with an MLB spring training game between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds.

ESPN WWoS Complex At Disney Named Best Facility Credit: Disney

Do you want more help planning your next Disney vacation? As a Travel Planner that specializes in Disney Destinations, I can help you navigate the ever changing climate of Disney vacations. The best part is that my services are complimentary to my clients! Get in touch by filling out the form below, calling toll-free at 1-800-454-4501, via email at SPhillips@MickeyTravels.com , or following me on Facebook!