The Warrior Games are coming back to Walt Disney World, and Disney has already locked the dates: August 7 through 14, 2027, at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. It’s the third time the adaptive sports competition has landed at the resort, following the 2022 and 2024 games.
Nearly 200 competitors will take part across 12 adaptive sports. The lineup covers archery, cycling, indoor rowing, and pickleball, along with powerlifting, precision air, sitting volleyball, swimming, track, field events, wheelchair basketball, and wheelchair rugby.
Who competes in the Warrior Games?
The Warrior Games is a national adaptive sports competition for wounded, ill, and injured service members and veterans. It started in 2010 and exists to showcase the strength and resilience of the military community while supporting recovery journeys.
Five teams represent every military service: the Army, Marine Corps, Navy/Coast Guard, Air Force/Space Force, and Special Operations Command.
Disney marked the announcement with a press event and a pickleball demonstration at the sports complex, where Warrior Games representatives, Disney leadership, community members, sponsors, and former competitors shared details on the 2027 games. Former competitors talking through what the event means, at the venue where it’ll happen, is a smarter way to announce this than a blog post alone.
Tony Smith honored at Magic Kingdom
Warrior Games competitor and U.S. Army veteran Tony Smith was honored at a special Flag Retreat ceremony in Magic Kingdom on Thursday, August 6, recognizing his service and sacrifice. Guests gathered around Town Square applauded on what was a rainy day in the park.
Disney’s history with the military community
Disney ties this work back to its founders. Walt and Roy O. Disney both served during World War I, and the company points to that as the start of more than a century of connection to service members, veterans, and their families.
What to know
Disney hasn’t announced spectator access, ticketing, or a daily schedule for the 2027 games yet, and more details are coming to the Disney Parks Blog.
Source: Disney Parks Blog
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