AAU Athletes Get First Taste of New Arena at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex This Weekend

As part of the 20th anniversary celebration at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort, the Complex opened the doors to a new multi-purpose arena that further expanded the 220-acre sports venue that is widely regarded as the leading facility for youth sports in America.

Earlier this year, AAU President/CEO Dr. Roger J. Goudy joined ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex executives to help mark the occasion with a special dedication ceremony featuring a giant ribbon-cutting, plus a cheerleading routing with Minnie Mouse in her new cheerleader uniform amid a blast of streamers.



This weekend, the AAU gets its first real taste of the new The Arena at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex with AAU Basketball’s Easter Classic. Designed specifically for cheer and dance events, the 8,000-seat arena will hold six basketball courts for this weekend’s event.

"ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex is one of the most unique sporting venues in the country," Dr. Goudy said. "The new arena is a fantastic new space and we are looking forward experiencing it together this weekend with our athletes, coaches and parents."

The AAU joined the Atlanta Braves as the anchor tenants of the ESPN Complex back in 1998. Since then, the AAU has attracted more than 50,000 athletes to Disney property for national championship events in at least six sports annually.

Follow AAU Basketball on Facebook for photos and updates from the AAU Easter Classic.