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Disney has today announced that it will be bringing a new 8000 seat venue to ESPN Wide World of Sports as part of an expansion to the complex.

Primarily aimed at cheerleading and dance teams, Disney is teaming up with Varsity Spirit, to create the first venue in the world specifically designed for cheerleading and dance team competitions.

Construction of the 286,000 sq. ft. venue is set to begin in February 2016, with completion by mid 2017. The project will also include new parking lots and entrances to the complex.

Along with seating for over 8000 guests, there will be performance and warm-up space, and the new multi-use sports and entertainment venue will also have the ability to host six regulation basketball courts, six regulation volleyball courts or concert configurations. There will be concessions throughout the building, and an additional box office and entry to the complex.

“As our sports business continues to grow, we’re thrilled to work alongside Varsity Spirit to create a sporting and entertainment venue that will not only complement our existing venues, but will be a model for cheerleading and dance team competitions,” said Maribeth Bisienere, senior vice president of ESPN Wide World of Sports. “We value our young athletes and want to give these incredible guests an experience that can only be achieved at Disney.”

“Varsity Spirit invented the modern day cheerleading and dance competition, and we are proud to be the force behind this project, which represents our commitment to providing the very best and safest environment in the world for our athletes and coaches,” said Jeff Webb, Founder and Chairman of Varsity Brands. “Since this building has been designed specifically for spirit teams, we can’t wait to provide an even more high quality competition experience to thousands of athletes each year.”

The ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex hosts six cheer and dance team events annually, with tens of thousands participants. According to Varsity Spirit, cheerleading continues to rise in popularity around the world.

Disney will also be moving the Night of Joy event to ESPN Wide World of Sports from this year, underlining the use of the complex as a sport and entertainment venue.

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