Darius Rucker to Take Center Stage at DoD Warrior Games Opening Ceremony

Filed in: Disney Sports, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Walt Disney World Resort, Warrior Games, WDW 50th Anniversary

JOINT BASE LANGLEY EUSTIS, Va. (June 8, 2022) – Chart-topping, multi-Platinum selling country artist Darius Rucker is set to headline the Opening Ceremony of the 2022 Department of Defense Warrior Games in August. Hosted by the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, the Warrior Games will take place at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida from August 19-28.

The three-time Grammy award winner will be performing at the Opening Ceremony on Friday, August 19 at the Stadium within the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Fans will get the chance to hear hit songs from Darius’ time with Hootie & the Blowfish, as well as classics from his time as a solo artist like “Wagon Wheel.”

The Warrior Games, first held in 2010, celebrates the resiliency and dedication of wounded, ill and injured active-duty and veteran military service members from the U.S. and allied nations. Hundreds of elite athletes will compete in adaptive sporting events including wheelchair basketball, cycling, indoor rowing and sitting volleyball among others.

The ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex has hosted the 2016 Invictus Games as well as other professional and youth sports events and was donated for use to serve as a Warrior Games venue. This 220-acre award-winning facility features multiple indoor and outdoor competition sites and combines the spirit of sports with Disney magic, making it the perfect host venue for this year’s events.

The Warrior Games serve to enhance the recovery and rehabilitation of wounded warriors by providing them exposure to adaptive sports. Military Paralympic-style adaptive sports programs help wounded service members and veterans build strength and endurance and draw inspiration from their teammates. Participation in the Warrior Games represents the culmination of a service member’s involvement in an adaptive sports program and demonstrates the incredible potential of wounded warriors through competitive sports.