The Ocho Returns to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex This Week
For the tenth straight year, The Ocho is returning to ESPN this month for another 74.5 hours of unconventional sports.
For those who may not know, The Ocho began 10 years ago as a nod to the fictional ESPN8 channel from Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story. What started as a one-day programming stunt has evolved into a multi-day, multi-platform celebration.
Photo: ESPN
“The Ocho has carved out a real place in our portfolio over the past decade. It fits perfectly as this one-of-a-kind event that no one else can do quite like we can. Twenty-three sports making their Ocho debut this year, the Savannah Bananas back in prime time on ESPN, and 10 live competitions at ESPN Wide World of Sports, that’s not an anniversary event, that’s a statement about what this franchise has become,” said Christopher Solomon, Coordinator, ESPN Programming.
The Wide World of Sports Will Host the Events
Guests visiting Walt Disney World later this week can get in on The Ocho fun, as the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex will host the wacky competitions for the second straight year.
Best of all, admission and parking are both free!
The Lineup
Those who head over to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on August 7 will be able to watch the action unfold live.
This year’s lineup includes the return of fan-favorite sports, along with several exciting new competitions.
These include:
New
- Donk Toss – This challenge puts competitors’ accuracy to the test as they toss an inflatable donkey toward a target.
- Roofball – What started as a backyard game has evolved into a fiercely competitive sport. Players score points by tossing a ball onto a rooftop and strategically placing their shots.
- Housekeeping Games – Inspired by the skills used by hotel housekeepers every day, this competition challenges participants with events that test speed, precision, and teamwork.
Returning
- Slippery Stairs – A fan favorite for a reason, the event challenges competitors to climb an extremely slick staircase while battling gravity, and each other, every step of the way.
- Combat Archery – Part archery and part dodgeball, this fast-moving competition combines athleticism, strategy, and foam-tipped arrows in a unique test of skill.
- Dodgeball – The classic playground game gets a championship-level showcase as elite competitors duck, dive, and dodge their way to victory.
- Big League Wiffle Ball World Series – Backyard bragging rights are on the line as competitors showcase creative pitching, clutch hitting, and plenty of Wiffle Ball strategy.
- Popdarts Championship – Contestants compete using suction-cup darts, aiming for precision throws and big points.
- Pop-A-Shot National Championship – The iconic arcade basketball game becomes a serious competition as players go head-to-head to make as many baskets as possible.
Free Parking and Plenty of Fun
As previously noted, attending The Ocho at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex is completely free.
Complimentary parking will also be available. If you are staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, the Minnie Van service may be one of the easiest ways to get to the complex.
Finally, guests can stop by the Fan Zones to find limited-edition merchandise, photo opportunities, and interactive Ocho games.
The complete event schedule is as follows:
To learn more, visit the ESPN Wide World of Sports website.
As always, be sure to check back with MickeyBlog. We will continue to update you on all the news coming out of Walt Disney World.
Photo: MickeyBlog
