LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Feb. 5, 2016 marked a pivotal moment in the growth of competitive cheerleading and dance. ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort revealed plans to break ground on a state-of-the-art venue built specifically for cheerleading and dance team competitions.
The project, developed in partnership with Varsity Spirit, represented the first time a major sports complex committed to a purpose-built facility designed around the unique demands of spirit teams. For a sport that had long adapted to basketball arenas and convention halls, the announcement signaled a shift in how cheerleading was valued within the broader sports landscape.
A Venue Designed For Cheer And Dance
Unlike traditional multi-use arenas, the planned venue was engineered from the ground up with cheerleading and dance teams in mind. The flexible competition floor could be configured as one large performance space or divided into as many as four separate competition areas. Dedicated warm-up and practice zones were built into the design, along with designated spaces for judges and officials.
With seating capacity for more than 8,000 spectators, the venue was designed to accommodate the scale of major national events. Beyond cheer and dance, the building was also capable of hosting six regulation basketball courts, six volleyball courts, or large-scale concert setups, ensuring year-round usability.
Concessions, an additional box office, and a new entry point to the complex were also part of the plan, improving both athlete flow and spectator experience during large championship weekends.
A Strategic Investment In Youth Sports
At the time of the announcement, ESPN Wide World of Sports leadership emphasized the rapid growth of its sports business, particularly in cheerleading and dance. Maribeth Bisienere, then senior vice president of ESPN Wide World of Sports, described the project as both an operational upgrade and a statement of intent.
The goal was to create an environment that matched the level of performance seen on the mat while delivering an experience aligned with the Disney and ESPN brands. For thousands of young athletes traveling to Orlando each year, the venue promised a competition setting that felt intentional, professional, and elevated.
Strengthening A Longstanding Partnership
The collaboration further solidified the relationship between ESPN Wide World of Sports and Varsity Spirit, which already hosted several of the most prestigious events in the cheer calendar at the complex. Among them was the National High School Cheerleading Championship, drawing more than 650 teams from over 30 states and recognized as the only national championship endorsed by the National Federation of State High School Associations.
For athletes, earning a national title at NHSCC, along with the iconic white satin National Champion jacket, had become one of the most respected achievements in school cheerleading.
Jeff Webb, founder and chairman of Varsity Brands, framed the venue as an extension of Varsity Spirit’s long-term commitment to athlete safety, innovation, and experience. Designing a building specifically for spirit teams allowed competition standards, warm-up logistics, and performance conditions to be optimized in ways that were not possible in shared-use facilities.
Reflecting Cheerleading’s Continued Growth
The announcement also reflected broader trends within cheerleading. Competitive cheer had evolved far beyond traditional sideline roles, emphasizing athleticism, performance quality, and entertainment value. Research cited by Varsity Brands pointed to strong connections between school spirit and student engagement, academic performance, and overall well-being.
As participation numbers continued to rise nationwide and internationally, the need for infrastructure that matched the sport’s scale became increasingly clear.
Construction on the venue was scheduled to begin in February 2016, with completion expected by mid-2017. Once finished, the facility would become a cornerstone of ESPN Wide World of Sports’ expanding portfolio, hosting cheer, dance, volleyball, basketball, and additional sports and entertainment events.
Nearly a decade later, the announcement stands as a defining example of cheerleading’s push toward recognition as a sport deserving of purpose-built spaces, professional presentation, and long-term investment.
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