Some posts may contain affiliate links which means our team could earn money if you purchase products from our site.
Banana Ball Steps Up to the Plate at Disney World as ESPN Wide World of Sports Celebrates Nearly 30 Years of History
ESPN Wide World of Sports is getting ready for its next big sports spectacle, and this time it comes with trick plays, dancing players, and plenty of banana-colored chaos.
Related: Robert Irwin Takes Over Narration for Disney’s Wildlife Express Train
Disney is shining a spotlight on the long history of ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex as Banana Ball prepares to make its Walt Disney World debut in 2026. The upcoming series featuring the Party Animals and the Loco Beach Coconuts marks the latest evolution for the sports complex that has spent nearly three decades hosting everything from MLB spring training and youth championships to NBA Finals games and NFL Pro Bowl events.
Originally opening in March 1997 as Disney’s Wide World of Sports, the sprawling 260-acre complex quickly became a major destination for amateur and professional athletics alike. Baseball helped launch the venue into the spotlight, with more than 10,000 fans attending the opening exhibition game between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds.
The complex later became the longtime spring training home of the Atlanta Braves from 1998 through 2019, bringing baseball legends like Chipper Jones, Greg Maddux, Freddie Freeman, Jason Heyward, Derek Jeter, and Albert Pujols through Disney World over the years.
Today, the complex includes a massive collection of venues including AdventHealth Arena, State Farm Field House, multiple baseball diamonds, track and field facilities, soccer fields, and competition spaces for cheer, dance, basketball, volleyball, football, and more. Disney says nearly 300,000 athletes and 800,000 spectators visit the complex annually for over 50 different sporting events.
Of course, sports history at Disney World goes far beyond baseball. ESPN Wide World of Sports famously hosted the NBA Bubble during the league’s 2020 return-to-play season, including the NBA Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat. The venue has also welcomed the Invictus Games, Orlando City Soccer, Team USA training camps, AAU championships, Pro Bowl festivities, and countless youth sporting events.
Related: How to Unlock Grogu Mode on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
Now Banana Ball is preparing to add its own wildly entertaining chapter to the story.
Known for its fast-paced, fan-focused version of baseball, Banana Ball mixes athletic competition with dance routines, player antics, crowd interaction, and rules designed to keep games moving quickly. The upcoming games at Disney World will feature the Party Animals taking on the Loco Beach Coconuts inside The Stadium at ESPN Wide World of Sports.
Disney describes the event as blending “competition and entertainment with a taste of Disney-inspired fun,” which honestly sounds like the perfect recipe for Banana Ball under the Florida lights.
Get all the best Disney News
and more, straight to your inbox!
We don't spam. Read our privacy policy for more info.
For the BEST in Disney, Universal, Dollywood, and SeaWorld Theme Park News, Entertainment, Merchandise & More follow us on, Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube.
Let our friends at Get Away Today help you book your next Disney or Universal Vacation. They are the preferred Travel Agency of Chip and Company and Disney Addicts, and who we use ourselves.
