WWE and Disney are joining forces for a two‑day fan extravaganza at ESPN’s Orlando complex, while a separate rights pact will make ESPN the exclusive U.S. home for WWE’s biggest shows starting in 2026.
Key points
- WWE and Disney will host a two‑day event at ESPN Wide World of Sports featuring the John Cena Classic and an Avengers: Doomsday experience.
- ESPN will become the exclusive U.S. domestic broadcaster for WWE premium live events, including WrestleMania, starting in 2026.
- The partnership aims to blend wrestling with Marvel’s superhero franchise to broaden fan appeal.
The Walt Disney Company and WWE® announced on August 6, 2025 that their partnership is expanding with a two‑day takeover of the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida. The event will feature the inaugural John Cena Classic wrestling tournament and a Marvel Studios‑produced ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ themed experience that merges the worlds of professional wrestling and superhero storytelling.
According to the Disney press release, the John Cena Classic will spotlight top talent from WWE’s roster competing in a single‑elimination format, with the winner earning a future title opportunity. Parallel to the matches, Marvel’s ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ activation will transform sections of the complex into immersive environments inspired by the upcoming film, offering fans interactive challenges and photo‑ops.
Two‑day takeover highlights
In a related development, ESPN and WWE have signed a landmark rights agreement that designates ESPN platforms as the exclusive U.S. domestic home for all WWE premium live events, including WrestleMania, beginning in 2026. The agreement, also announced on August 6, 2025, expands the existing broadcast relationship and will see WWE’s flagship shows streamed and televised across ESPN’s television and digital properties.
The dual announcements underscore a strategic alignment between WWE’s live‑event expertise and Disney’s entertainment ecosystem. By pairing a marquee wrestling tournament with a Marvel‑themed attraction, both companies aim to deepen fan engagement and create cross‑promotional opportunities that leverage ESPN’s broad reach.
New ESPN rights agreement for WWE
Details on ticketing, exact dates for the two‑day takeover, and the rollout plan for the ESPN‑WWE rights partnership are expected to be released in the coming weeks. Both organizations indicated that the collaboration will evolve, potentially adding more joint experiences in future years.
Reader questions
What is the John Cena Classic?
The John Cena Classic is a new single‑elimination wrestling tournament announced as part of the two‑day ESPN Wide World of Sports takeover, with the winner slated for a future title opportunity.
When will the two‑day takeover take place?
The Disney press release announced the event on August 6, 2025, but specific dates have not yet been disclosed.
Which WWE events will be shown on ESPN starting in 2026?
Under the new rights agreement, ESPN will be the exclusive U.S. domestic home for all WWE premium live events, including WrestleMania, beginning in 2026.
Source: thewaltdisneycompany.com
