Walt Disney World to Host Warrior Games for Third Time in 2027

The Warrior Games are coming back. The event returns to ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort in August 2027 — the third time it’s been hosted at the resort, following the 2022 and 2024 competitions.

The Warrior Games 2027 will bring nearly 200 competitors across 12 adaptive sports, with five teams representing every branch of the military.

Here’s what the event is, what’s being contested, and what’s still to come.

Quick Summary

• The Warrior Games return to ESPN Wide World of Sports in August 2027
• This is the third time Walt Disney World has hosted, after 2022 and 2024
• Nearly 200 competitors will take part across 12 adaptive sports
• Five teams represent Army, Marine Corps, Navy/Coast Guard, Air Force/Space Force, and Special Operations Command
• The Games started in 2010 as a national adaptive sports competition
• Ticket and schedule details are expected closer to the event

What the Warrior Games Are

The Warrior Games celebrate the strength and resilience of wounded, ill, and injured service members and veterans.

The event started in 2010 as a national adaptive sports competition for the military community. It gives wounded, ill, and injured service members a platform to show their strength and determination, supports their recovery, and draws attention to what these athletes have overcome.

The 12 Adaptive Sports

Nearly 200 competitors will take part in:

• Archery
• Cycling
• Field events
• Indoor rowing
• Pickleball
• Powerlifting
• Precision air
• Sitting volleyball
• Swimming
• Track
• Wheelchair basketball
• Wheelchair rugby

The Five Teams

Five teams will compete, representing every branch of the military:

• Army
• Marine Corps
• Navy/Coast Guard
• Air Force/Space Force
• Special Operations Command

Inter-service competition is a meaningful part of what makes the Warrior Games work. The branch rivalry is real, it’s good-natured, and it gives the event an energy that a purely individual competition wouldn’t have.

Wheelchair rugby is the one to watch if you’re attending. It’s a full-contact sport played in reinforced chairs, and it’s as intense as anything at the Games.

The Announcement Event

Representatives from the Warrior Games, Disney leadership, sponsors, community members, and former competitors gathered at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex for a press event and pickleball demonstration to share details on the 2027 Games.

Why ESPN Wide World of Sports Works for This

Hosting for a third time is a meaningful vote of confidence, and the venue is a genuinely good fit.

ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex is a 220-acre purpose-built athletic facility with multiple competition venues, an arena, a track, fields, and a stadium. Running 12 sports simultaneously requires exactly that kind of infrastructure — most venues would need to stagger events across weeks.

The on-site resort capacity matters too. Nearly 200 competitors plus coaches, medical staff, families, and spectators need accommodation, transportation, and accessibility. Walt Disney World handles that scale routinely.

Accessibility is the critical piece. An adaptive sports competition requires venues, transportation, and lodging built for wheelchair users and athletes with a wide range of physical needs. Disney’s accessibility infrastructure is among the most developed of any hospitality operation in the country.

Disney’s Military Connection

Disney’s connection to U.S. military service goes back over a century, starting with founders Walt and Roy O. Disney, who both served during World War I.

Walt Disney was 16 when he joined the Red Cross Ambulance Corps, having been too young to enlist. He served in France after the Armistice.

That history continues today through experiences and events at Walt Disney World that honor service members, veterans, and their families — including military ticket and room discounts, Cast Member veteran programs, and the flag retreat ceremony that runs daily on Main Street, U.S.A. at Magic Kingdom.

The Main Street Flag Retreat

Worth mentioning for anyone who hasn’t seen it: Magic Kingdom holds a daily flag retreat ceremony in Town Square, typically around 5pm, where a veteran from the day’s guests is selected to serve as Veteran of the Day.

It’s a short, genuinely moving ceremony with the Main Street Philharmonic and the Dapper Dans, and most guests walk past it entirely. If you’re at Magic Kingdom, it’s worth stopping for.

What We Don’t Know Yet

Details on ticket availability and daily event schedules for the 2027 Warrior Games at Walt Disney World are expected to be released closer to the event.

Outstanding questions:

• Exact dates within August 2027
• Whether spectator attendance is free — previous Warrior Games at Disney have offered free spectator access to most events
• Which venues within ESPN Wide World of Sports host which sports
• Broadcast coverage — ESPN has carried Warrior Games content previously

The Bottom Line

The Warrior Games 2027 return to ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World in August 2027, marking the third time the resort has hosted after 2022 and 2024.

Nearly 200 competitors will contest 12 adaptive sports across five teams representing every military branch.

Ticket and schedule details come closer to the event. If you’re planning a summer 2027 trip, it’s worth watching for dates — the Games are free to attend in most years and genuinely worth seeing.

20% Off site-wide, plus Free Shipping on all orders of $65+

Over 75+ Designs! Your next park shirt is just a click away

Looking To Book Your Dream Disney Vacation?

Save time & money on your vacation

Your Disney vacation should create unforgettable memories that last a lifetime.

Whether you’re a first-time Disney vacationer or looking to plan your next magical adventure, it isn’t enough just to go on a Disney vacation. We want you to talk about your vacation for years to come and create memories you’ll cherish forever. Vacation is calling! Are you ready to answer?

REQUEST QUOTE

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Jonathan Cotton 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
I’m no stranger to Disney planning, as a Disneyland magic key holder and DVC member. I’m the person people ask for trip planning advice. But I had never been on a Disney cruise, and had heard great about Nate and decided to reach out. I’m so glad I did because we could not have been happier with our experience. His tips and insights were incredibly helpful, and he was incredibly responsive any time we had a question. Who do the Disney experts turn to when they need help? Nate, that’s who.

We’ll definitely be using him again.
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Andria Skornik 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Our experience working with Nate as our Disney vacation planner was exceptional. He was responsive and thorough. He gave us insights that made the trip go much more smoothly. We were able to really relax and focus on quality time as a family and have so much fun doing it! I will definitely reach out for any future trips.
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 rpwoodjr 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Could not have wanted or expected more from Nate, our Distrips and More agent as we planned our 2025 Disney World trip. Nate was VERY responsive to emails and texts and more than willing to do whatever he could to guide us and answer our questions.  On several occasions I emailed him over the weekend not expecting a response until Monday but each time he responded before the weekend was over.  He even participated in a Zoom session with our group of five seniors as we planned our trip. He also helped us at the 11th hour when we added a family member to our travel group less than a month before our trip.  Without a doubt, I will reach out to Nate when I'm ready to plan my next trip to Disney World!
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Homero Rendon 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
We are so thankful we used Nate to plan not only our first Disney trip, but also our second. He made the process so easy for us, especially for us since it was our first time going. There was a lot to consider and many decisions to make, such as where to stay, when to go, and what to experience. Nate really helped us narrow down what we wanted to do overall, but he didn’t stop there. He provided detailed guides to help us navigate the airport and find our transportation to the resort, as well as a guide to explore the resorts and make sure we saw the best Christmas decorations. One of the many amazing things he also did was set up our dinner reservations for us. This saved us so much stress and allowed us to get some of our top choices. From the moment we landed in Orlando to the moment we headed back home, he made sure everything went smoothly. You truly can’t go wrong with going to him for your next trip.
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Lee Mathes 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Nate was absolutely the best planner I have ever had.  Will most definitely be using him again.   He took care of everything and kept me on track.  Was so very helpful in making all the dining reservations and everything.   Can't thank him enough.   He made our trip completely stress free!
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Amanda Moran 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Nathan has been an amazing trip planner for me! So helpful and responsive. I am a very type A person -- so someone who is even more on top of their game than me -- is so so appreciated! Nathan has booked 3 trips for me (1 completed 2 pending) and it was perfection. Thanks again!
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Hyperion Adventures Podcast 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Nate has helped us with our vacation planning for the last couple of years and we couldn't be happier with his service and expertise. We've used other travel agents in the past and none of them have done as phenomenal a job to make sure every detail is taken care of as he has. Switching to Nate was one of the best decisions we've ever made. He's always quick to answer questions and works tirelessly to make sure we get everything we want from our trips. Plus, he's just a genuinely great person who is wonderful to work with. Whether you're planning a trip to Walt Disney World, Disneyland, a Disney Cruise, or any other vacation, Nate is the guy you want putting it all together! Five stars across the board!
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Google rating score: 5.0 of 5, based on 7 reviews 
 
   
 
 

Meet the Author: Nate Bishop

I’m a die-hard Disney fan with 38 years of visits under my belt, having stepped into Disney World 120+ times. Proud to be a Disney Annual Passholder, a Vacation Club member since ’92, a Castaway Club Member, and a runDisney enthusiast. Oh, and I’ve graduated from the Disney College of Knowledge. Need Disney insights or planning tips? I’m your guy!