January

This elite event annually attracts the top high school-aged girls soccer players from across the country. Combined with the boys tournament in December, the event features more than 600 teams and draws over 11,000 athletes per year. The event hosts more than 20,000 coaches and fans, making it one of the leading recruiting events in the country.

Varsity: National College Cheer & Dance Team Championships

For more than 35 years, the UCA & UDA College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship has been the culmination of the season for cheerleaders and dancers across the country. It’s the most prestigious collegiate national championship in the country and the perfect opportunity for cheerleading and dance teams to get together and celebrate each other at the Most Magical Place on Earth, the Walt Disney World Resort.

Youth Flag Football World Championships

Nearly 600 flag football teams participated in the 20th anniversary of the Youth Flag Football World Championships held Jan. 20-21, 2024 at Walt Disney World. The event featured teams from nearly every state including Hawaii along with 87 international teams. Overall, more than 1,600 games were played at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex over the weekend. It was the second time the Youth Flag Football World Championships have been held at Walt Disney World’s premier sports complex, once again giving teams the chance to compete against the best flag football programs in the world.

Field Hockey: Sunshine Showcase

The Sunshine Showcase, a USA Field Hockey sanctioned event, is the ultimate place for more than 190 total teams in the U16 and U19 divisions to perform in front of 240-plus college coaches from around the country. With more than 3,000 elite athletes on site for the event, the Disney Field Hockey Showcase is designed to maximize time athletes spend in front of recruiters representing some of the top programs in the country.

February

Hundreds of teams turn their extended winter weekend into the ultimate travel soccer experience at Walt Disney World Resort where the competition is complemented by unmatched off-field experiences, Guest service and Disney magic to  make the team bonding experience even more special.

Varsity: National High School Cheerleading Championship

The only high school cheerleading championship endorsed by the National Federation of State High School Associations. For more than 40 years, the UCA National High School Cheerleading Championship has been the culmination of the season for cheerleaders across the nation. It’s the most prestigious high school national championship in the country and the perfect opportunity for cheerleading teams to get together and celebrate each other at the Most Magical Place on Earth, the Walt Disney World Resort.

MLS Preseason Training

In February 2024, CF Montreal migrated to warmer weather and called the sports complex their preseason home for two weeks. Other MLS teams have also held training and preseason friendlies on the perfectly manicured fields that are kept at professional standards year round.

USA Presidential Gymnastics

Hosted by USA Competitions, the Presidential Classic provides elite level gymnastics competition and an exciting trip for the whole family!

March

Teams from various states get the opportunity to prepare for the upcoming season in the warm Florida sun. Disney Spring Training provides high-impact performance clinics, professional-caliber facilities and a proven training ground built for pros and aspiring pros alike to raise their game.

Varsity: The Quest & International All-Star Championship

The Quest Recreational Championship is the most competitive and prestigious end-of-season event for Rec & Youth Cheer. Teams earn Paid Bids, Silver Bids, Bronze Bids and At-Large Bids to The Quest during the season at several Varsity Spirit events.

April

Considered the Super Bowl of cheerleading events, the Cheerleading Worlds Championship features the globe’s best cheerleading squads. Participation in the event has grown dramatically from three international teams representing two countries to more than 100 teams (8,500 cheerleaders) from 40 countries.

May

Teams from across the country kick off the summer with the ultimate travel soccer experience at Walt Disney World Resort.

Special Olympics Florida Summer Games

Athletes and Unified partners enjoy two days of competition and camaradarie with events in six different sports including track and field, soccer, volleyball, cycling, bocce and cheer. Overall, 1,500 athletes and 300 Unified partners from across Florida participated in this event in 2023 playing hard and fair, demonstrating the skill and dedication that earned them a spot at the State Games.

AAU Memorial Day Classic

ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex has been the epicenter of AAU basketball since the complex first opened in 1997, providing established tournaments and events for the new facility. Since then, tens of thousands of elite youth athletes have competed in AAU basketball events at the sports complex including former and current pro basketball stars. In addition, coaches and scouts from every level of college basketball regularly attend the events to recruit the best young talent in the country.

June

More than 7,000 boys and girls athletes across 675 teams compete in the AAU National Basketball Championships. 35 states and eight countries are represented throughout the premiere youth basketball event, which runs through July. The top 3^rd through 12^th grade basketball players in the country and around the world have the opportunity to play in front of hundreds of collegiate coaches and scouts in attendance.

NBPA Top 100 Camp

100 of basketball’s highest ranked high school recruits spend several days competing and learning from NBA coaches and scouts. The NBPA Top 100 Camp gives athletes an opportunity to test their skills against other players they will see in college and the NBA.

LaLiga Promises Soccer Tournament

A unique soccer experience featuring youth developmental teams from some of the best clubs in the world including Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. The tournament is a showcase for up and coming talent destined to compete at soccer’s highest levels.

DoD Warrior Games

The Department of Defense Warrior Games celebrates the resiliency and dedication of wounded, ill, and injured active duty and veteran U.S. military service members. First held at the sports complex in 2022, the Warrior Games showcase the elite athletic ability of America’s heroes in adaptive sports.

IdeaSport Soccer Program at Walt Disney World Resort

Launched in 2017, Walt Disney World Resort teams with IdeaSport to host a soccer program for youth athletes at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Through this multi-year agreement, the training program at Walt Disney World Resort will provide a holistic approach to soccer education with proven, year-round training, education and development for youth soccer athletes, developing them on and off the field, as well as training for coaches and officials.

July

More than 7,000 boys and girls athletes across 675 teams compete in the AAU National Basketball Championships. 35 states and eight countries are represented throughout the premiere youth basketball event, which runs through July. The top 3^rd through 12^th grade basketball players in the country and around the world have the opportunity to play in front of hundreds of collegiate coaches and scouts in attendance.

USYS National Youth Soccer Championships

Each summer US Youth Soccer crowns a 13U-19U Boys and Girls national champion after a culmination of year-long competitions at the state and regional levels during the National Championship Series. Consisting of approximately 185,000 players on 10,000 teams from USYS’ 54 State Associations, it offers athletes the opportunity to showcase their talent against the best competition in the nation.

September

Disney’s Labor Day Soccer Tournament provides a team building opportunity mixed with a little pixie dust and one more chance to close out the summer with a championship at The Most Magical Place On Earth,

November

Widely regarded as the leading elite youth soccer tournament in the nation, this event annually attracts the top U13 and U14 boys and girls soccer players and teams from across the country. The tournament features about 4,500 athletes per year during the three-day event.

ESPN Events Invitational

Formerly known as the Advocare Invitational, the premier Division I event is an eight-team, 12-game men’s basketball tournament that takes place over Thanksgiving weekend and features some of the top collegiate teams in America.

December

This elite event annually attracts the top high school-aged boys soccer players from across the country. Combined with the girls tournament in November, the event features more than 600 teams and draws over 11,000 athletes per year. The event hosts more than 20,000 coaches and fans, making it one of the leading recruiting events in the country.

Under Armor All-American Game Practice

Future college football and NFL stars get next-level training among peers before playing in high school football’s biggest all-star game.