Walt Disney World events Posted November 2, 2026
WWE brings the John Cena Classic to Walt Disney World on December 14
John Cena announced on Raw on November 2 that his new tournament, the John Cena Classic, takes place Monday, December 14, 2026 at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on Disney property. It is the first time Raw will air two episodes on the same day, one from Perth, Australia and one from Orlando. Tickets and a start time are not announced yet.
What is confirmed and what is still open
Admit one Ringside
John Cena Classic
- Resort
- Walt Disney World, Orlando
- Date
- Monday, Dec 14, 2026
- Venue
- ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
- First invitee
- Cody Rhodes
- Prize
- John Cena Classic Championship
- Start time
- Not announced
- Tickets
- Not on sale yet
- Building
- Not announced
Confirmed by WWE Still open
Your park day, Mon Dec 14
- Magic Kingdom 9 AM to 10 PM 5Moderate
- EPCOT 9 AM to 9 PM 5Moderate
- Hollywood Studios 9 AM to 7 PM 6Busy
- Animal Kingdom 8 AM to 6 PM 6Busy
Crowd from 1, calm, to 10, packed
What the John Cena Classic is
A one night tournament built around a brand new title, the John Cena Classic Championship, with a black strap and a gold center plate carrying Cena's signature and salute. Stars from Raw and SmackDown face NXT talent, and Club WWE members get a vote. Cena first floated the idea at Backlash in May and said he will keep scouting at NXT, on Raw and at Survivor Series before December.
Cody Rhodes is the first invitee. The rest of the field, the bracket and how the voting works have not been announced.
Why it lands at Disney
ESPN, which Disney owns, already carries WWE's premium live events in the United States, and WWE and Disney have talked about family focused special events for 2027. ESPN Wide World of Sports sits on Disney property near Disney's Animal Kingdom, and NXT already calls Orlando home. It is not the first time wrestling has come to the resort either. WCW taped television at Disney-MGM Studios, now Disney's Hollywood Studios, in the 1990s.
Planning a Disney day around it
- No park ticket needed for the show. The complex sits outside the four theme parks, so the event ticket is the only one you need for the match itself.
- Magic Kingdom looks like the calmest park that day. It sits at 5 of 10 on the December 14 outlook, so it is the easy pick if you are pairing a park morning with an evening show.
- December 14 is not a Christmas party night. Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party runs December 13 and 15, so Magic Kingdom stays open to every guest that evening.
- Book the hotel now if you want to stay on property. The show lands the week before the Christmas rush, and a big WWE crowd adds to the demand at nearby resorts.
John Cena Classic at Disney World, answered
When is the John Cena Classic?
Monday, December 14, 2026. John Cena announced the date on Raw on November 2, and WWE confirmed it the same night.
Where is the John Cena Classic being held?
At ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on Walt Disney World property, near Disney's Animal Kingdom. WWE has not said which building at the complex will host it.
Do I need a Disney park ticket to attend?
No. ESPN Wide World of Sports is outside the four theme parks, so a park ticket is not needed. You will need a ticket to the WWE event itself once those go on sale.
When do John Cena Classic tickets go on sale?
WWE has not announced a sale date or prices yet. Keep an eye on WWE.com and the WWE app for the on sale date.
Is the John Cena Classic part of Raw?
Cena said there will be two episodes of Raw on December 14 for the first time ever, the regular show from Perth, Australia and a second from Orlando. WWE has not said how and where the Classic will stream at home.
Who is in the John Cena Classic?
Cody Rhodes is the first wrestler Cena invited. The tournament pits Raw and SmackDown stars against NXT talent, Club WWE members get a vote, and the winner becomes the first John Cena Classic Champion.
Is December 14 a busy day at Walt Disney World?
Mid December Mondays sit before the big Christmas week rush, and December 14 is not a Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party night, so Magic Kingdom stays open to all guests that evening. The day by park outlook above shows the predicted crowd for each park.