ESPN and Disney Jr.’s youth sports program has expanded its free clinics to Oakland, Chicago, Fresno and Fontana. The national initiative helps young children try sports and connects families with financial support for registration fees.
Now in its second year, ESPN’s Take Back Sports, powered by “Disney Jr. Let’s Play!”, works with nonprofit Every Kid Sports. The collaboration helps families cover sports registration costs for children ages 3-7, including preschoolers and kindergarteners.
More than 2,400 grants have supported families across the country, covering participation in 26 different sports. Nearly half of those families reported that their child was playing a sport for the first time.
ESPN and Disney Jr. are spotlighting the effort during National Youth Sports Week, which runs October 5-11, 2026. The program encourages children to experience play while learning teamwork, confidence and sportsmanship.
Youth sports costs have risen 46% since 2019, according to Disney. The campaign addresses those costs while helping families learn where and how to sign their children up.
Free clinics connect families with local sports
The expansion builds on the inaugural sports clinic held in Los Angeles last year. ESPN and Disney Jr. teamed up with local ABC stations KGO, WLS, KFSN and KABC for the four-city expansion.
The clinics are free.
Through Disney Jr. Let’s Play!, children can try sports without family expenses. Activities introduce them to flag football, soccer, t-ball, gymnastics and basketball.
Hundreds of children and family members have attended the clinics to date. Families have connected with local sports resources covering activities including baseball. The clinics introduce children to sports in a welcoming environment and connect parents directly with organizations in their communities.
Mickey Mouse helps kick off play
Mickey Mouse surprised athletes at each clinic.
Mickey Mouse helped start the day with the ‘Hot Dog!’ dance from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse+. After the dance, Mickey Mouse encouraged the children to get on the field and play.
Participating community organizations included the Chicago Park District and City of Oakland Parks, Recreation and Youth Development. Empire Strykers, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central California and High Performance Academy also took part.
Steph and Ayesha Curry’s Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation participated, too. These organizations shared information about local youth sports programs and resources to help children stay active and healthy.
Source: The Walt Disney Company
Discover more from Theme Park Shark
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
