• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About/Hire Me
    • About Me
    • Hire Me
    • Contact
    • Family
    • Faith
    • FAQ
    • My Running Story
    • Recipes
  • Disney
  • Fitness
    • runDisney Information Page
    • Fitness
    • Races
  • Parenting
  • Travel

Through Heather's Looking Glass

  • Disney
  • Fitness
  • Travel
  • family
  • About Me

Youth Sports Events to Remember at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

July 26, 2018 | blogging, Disney, family, Travel

Disclosure: For this media trip I was hosted by Disney and visited the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, however all opinions are my own.

When I was growing up, I played on several different youth sports teams. I played recreational soccer in my town, and I played basketball, volleyball, and ran track at my school. I still remember how excited I became when it was time to “travel” to tournaments. I’m fairly certain the farthest we ever traveled was a couple of hours away, but to me it was a very special experience.

That being said, after learning about all of the amazing youth sports opportunities at the “Florida Picturesque” designed Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, I know that grade school Heather would have been jumping  out of her skin with excitement. Let me help you understand what I’m talking about.

Let’s say your youth baseball team is coming to play in a tournament at the complex. Just a few of the options available to you and your team/family include:

-Team meals: You can place orders in advance for fast and healthy meals, snacks, and beverages. The meals are delivered right to your competition venue so parents and coaches don’t have to stress.

-Equipment drop: For certain events, teams are able to drop their equipment off at a special drop zone to be transported to their field instead of lugging it all around the large complex. So fancy!

-Gameday photography: I love this one. For teams and parents who would like professional photos of their child playing in their game, you can schedule a photographer to take hi-resolution pictures for you so that you can sit back and enjoy watching. There are many packages available, as well as posed photos in front of a green screen. Then you can have your child’s picture put on a blanket, ball, or many other fun options. (Great Christmas gifts for grandparents!)

 

-Print-on-Demand Custom Tees: You can have a shirt printed on the spot to commemorate your game, tournament, first place win, and more. Customize with your name, team name, number, and sport. We had the privilege of having shirts made and they are so fun!

-Welcome Center: Here you can find cast members to help you find your way around the complex, help with theme park information, reservations assistance, and more.

Also, while I was visiting the complex, two huge soccer tournaments were just starting for the week, and we had the privilege of attending the opening ceremonies. These young athletes were treated like olympians with their own “parade of nations” of sorts.

As each country was announced, the teams marched onto the field singing, waving flags, and grinning from ear to ear as their fans and parents cheered from the stands. There was also a closing ceremony at the conclusion of the tournament to honor and acknowledge the players one last time. Talk about the royal treatment! Of course, Minnie and Mickey were on hand to celebrate.

ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

Some of the events that happen at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex include:

-International Championships Cup Futures Tournament

-Jr. NBA World Championship

-runDisney race weekend expos

-Disney Cup international

-AAU National Basketball Championships

-NFL Pro Bowl Week

-National High School Cheerleading Championship

-Atlanta Braves Spring Training

-AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships

-Pop Warner Super Bowl

 

Now for a little information about the complex itself, because y’all, it’s massive.

There’s Champion Stadium, The Arena, HP Field House, Visa Athletic Center, Track and field Complex, Production center, as well as baseball, softball, and tennis areas and more. The parking lot has over 5,000 spaces, and there is even a grill so you can sit down and eat after a long and fun day out on the fields or courts. (They were using 30 fields for the soccer tournaments!) Also the fields are totally versatile and can be flipped to a different sport in as little as 24 hours if need be.

The production center is pretty spectacular. It’s a 3,200 square foot facility with two control rooms including three jumbo screens. They are now using 8k camera systems and have 24 channels of replay. They save and store so much footage, over 1,100 hours so far in 2018 to be exact.

ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

Of course while heading to Walt Disney World for your child’s sporting event, if only makes sense to stay for a few extra days and hang out at the parks right? There is so much to explore including the all new Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, as well as Avatar, the World of Pandora at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park. Make it a trip for the whole extended family and I’m sure your little athlete will never forget any of it.

Did you know all of this existed right on Disney property? Have your kids participated in an event at ESPN WWOS? Stay tuned for more of a play by play post of what I did during the Disney sports FAM.

Like this:

Like Loading...

Sign up for my newsletter

Primary Sidebar

I am Heather Montgomery, a 30 something southern girl living in Knoxville, Tennessee with my husband Bobby, 10-year-old daughter Emma Kate, and our goldendoodles Dolly and Luna. I’m just a regular girl who likes to workout, travel, hang with my family, text, and eat chips and queso. Be sure to check out my “about me” page for more info!
Thank you for visiting, and feel free to contact me with questions, (or for PR inquiries or press trip invites) at Support@HeathersLookingGlass.com.

Please, no guest post requests. 🙂

More about me

Privacy Policy

You can also find me here:

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent Posts

  • 5 Reasons to Try a New Way of Travel
  • Experience Superhero-Sized Fun at Gaylord Opryland DC Summer
  • Digital Nomads: Safely Working Remotely While You Roam
  • Tips for Surviving (and Thriving) as a Travel Ball Mom
  • Protecting Your Kids’ Eyes In the Digital Age

 

Search

How to Start a Blog

How to start a blog
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
  • Disney
  • Fitness
  • Travel
  • Family
We have been having a great June so far! We recent We have been having a great June so far! We recently spent some time in Pigeon Forge at @dollywood and @downtownflavortown, two of our faves. 

If you haven’t been to either, add them to your list! Dollywood has tons of great rides and shows (we are season pass holders so go often!) and Downtown Flavortown has amazing food, an arcade and duck pin bowling. They were kind enough to have us come visit and eat with them. 

Are you going anywhere fun this summer? 

#dollywood #downtownddlavortown #pigeonforge
From workout mode to errand mode 💪➡️🛒 th From workout mode to errand mode 💪➡️🛒 these Yvette Sports pieces do it all. Ad 

✅ Inclusive sizing
✅ Multiple color options
✅ Perfect for busy moms on the go

Whether you’re hitting the gym or just chasing your to-do list, you’ll feel supported and confident.

Check out the 🔗 in my bio to shop! Use code Heather20 to get 20% off at the 🔗! 

 #YvetteSports #MomLifeStyle #AthleisureGoals
Tiny home + lake views + s’mores = the perfect T Tiny home + lake views + s’mores = the perfect Tennessee weekend 🌲🔥🏡
We spent a few days at Natchez Trace (part of @thousandtrails), and it was exactly what we needed—peaceful, fun, and full of charm. #100daysofcamping 

We stayed in the cutest little tiny house (shoutout to “Sadie” from @petite.retreats!), and filled our time with:
✨ Lake strolls
⛳️ Mini golf showdowns
🏀 Basketball games
🔥 Campfire s’mores
🦆 duck feeding
…and plenty of unplugged moments together 💛

This spot truly has it all—whether you’re glamping, RVing, or just looking for a getaway that blends nature and comfort.

🎥 Press play for a peek at our cozy stay and all the memories we made at this beautiful campground!

AD #NatchezTrace #ThousandTrails #PetiteRetreats #FamilyTravel #TinyHomeLiving #TennesseeTravel #GlampingVibes
😎 90’s summer loading….. If you grew up in 😎 90’s summer loading…..

If you grew up in the 90’s like me, you know we had THE BEST summers. They were simple, but magical. Yes sometimes we got bored and fought with our friends, but the freedom and fun was so memorable. 

In today’s world of screen time and filling every second of the day with “fun” for our kids so they never have to be bored, it makes me sad that they won’t experience what we did. So I am trying to recreate a 90’s summer the best way I can.

Will we still travel? Of course, it’s my job. But when we are home, I’m not filling every second with fun. I’m making her figure it out. Read a book. Do some chores. Then just…go. Play. Be a ten year old while I work. Then in the evenings we can play some more, together, while I tell stories of all the crazy and fun things I did as a kid during those special 90’s summers. ☀️ 🩷

#90ssummer #summerideas #summerideasforkids #carefreesummer
✨Celebrating 70 years of Disneyland magic!✨ W ✨Celebrating 70 years of Disneyland magic!✨ 
We made it extra special by booking through Apple Vacations, which bundled our trip into one easy, affordable package — total game changer for planning a family trip! 🏰💫 (ad)

From thrilling rides to fairy-tale moments, this trip was everything we hoped for and more. If you’re thinking about going during the 70th anniversary, this is the time to do it! 🎉

📲 Link in bio to check out @applevacations and start planning your own magical getaway!

#Disneyland70 #AppleVacations #FamilyTravel #DisneyMagic #PackageDealPerfection #whereyourstorystarts #disneyland70th
Having a tween is SO much fun. 😆 #tween #tween Having a tween is SO much fun. 😆

#tween #tweenlife #tweenslang #thisisten @theprincessek
Steal my 48-hour Pigeon Forge itinerary 🗺️☀ Steal my 48-hour Pigeon Forge itinerary 🗺️☀️
We stayed at @countrycascadeswaterparkresort so my kid could splash nonstop at the new indoor waterpark 💦—then packed our days with:

🏴‍☠️ Sky Pirates of Mermaid Bay @skypiratesgolf 
❄️ Pigeon Forge Snow @pigeonforgesnow 
🍽️ A meal at The Old Mill @theoldmilltn 
✨ Play at @wonderworks_tn 
🚀 Space Race Adventures @spaceraceadventurestn 
🎡 Unlimited rides at The Island with a 48-hour wristband @theislandpf 
🦖 See free animatronic dinos at Jurassic Adventure at The Island
🕹️ Play at the arcade while you’re there
🌍 Soar across America at SkyFly @skyflypf 

So much family fun packed into two days! 
👉🏻Save this for your next summer getaway to @mypigeonforge 

#MyPigeonForgePartner #mypigeonforge #FamilyTravelItinerary #PigeonForgeWithKids #summervacation

Copyright © 2025 · Through Heather's Looking Glass · Theme by Bella Creative Studio

 

Loading Comments...
 

You must be logged in to post a comment.

    %d