Major League Soccer Coming to Disney World
Major League Soccer has announced that it will resume its 25th season at Walt Disney World Resort, with the MLS is Back Tournament at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex beginning July 8, 2020. In this post, we’ll cover the details, the hotel where they’ll stay, whether parks will be impacted, and more.
We first reported the likelihood that Major League Soccer would be coming to Walt Disney World last week as a rumor. That followed MLS players approving a revised collective bargaining agreement, clearing the way for a return to play tournament in Orlando, with the ESPN Wide World of Sports being the likely venue.
It also followed still-unconfirmed news that Coronado Springs Likely Host Resort for NBA at Disney World Starting in July. The NBPA has approved the return to play scenario with 22 teams resuming the regular season and playoffs beginning July 31, 2020 and concluding by October 12, 2020. This means there will be some overlap between Major League Soccer and the NBA–but more on that later…
The MLS is Back Tournament will include all 26 Major League Soccer clubs competing in a continuous schedule of 54 total matches that will take place daily. The matches will count in the 2020 MLS regular season standings, and the tournament winner will also earn a spot in the 2021 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League.
The event, which will be held at Walt Disney World without spectators in attendance, will be staged with an emphasis on the health and safety of all players, coaches, staff, crew, and cast members. MLS players and staff will follow specific medical protocols, including regular testing, throughout the tournament.
ESPN Wide World of Sports has a longstanding relationship with Major League Soccer. Prior to hosting the MLS is Back Tournament, the Walt Disney World complex was the host venue of the 1998 MLS preseason, as well as events for the 1998 and 2019 MLS All-Star Games.
The MLS is Back Tournament draw will take place at 3:30 pm ET on June 11, 2020 and it will be streamed live on MLSsoccer.com, as well as MLS social media accounts.
The 26 MLS teams will be drawn into one of six groups. The 14-team Eastern Conference will have three groups, one of six teams and two with four teams each. The 12-team Western Conference will also be divided into three groups, each consisting of four teams. For the remainder of the 2020 season, Nashville SC will move to the Eastern Conference.
Each group will have a seeded team. As the “host” team, Orlando City SC will be the top seed in the six-team group. The remaining five seeds will be:
- East: Atlanta United (2019 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs semifinalist)
- East: Toronto FC (2019 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs semifinalist)
- West: LAFC (2019 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs semifinalist)
- West: Seattle Sounders (2019 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs semifinalist)
- West: Real Salt Lake (next highest points total in the Western Conference from 2019 season)
To determine which of the 20 unseeded clubs goes into which group, a representative from each of the six seeded clubs will participate in the draw by picking a number at random from their conference. Each number will correspond to a ball containing the name of an unseeded club that will join the seeded club’s group.
For those more interested in Major League Soccer (or wondering how long the MLS will be around Walt Disney World), here are some key facts and dates.
MLS teams will begin arriving at Walt Disney World on June 24, or two days after the Deluxe Villas and DVC Resorts reopen. Beginning on July 8, the MLS is Back Tournament group stage begins. From July 25 through 28, the round of 16 will be held. Then it’s onto the Tournament Quarterfinals from July 30 until August 1, with Tournament Semifinals August 5-6, 2020.
The MLS is Back Tournament Final will be held on August 11, 2020. In total, there will be 54 matches (39 group stage; 15 knockout round) held over the course of 26 matchdays, with a minimum matches of 3 per club and a maximum of 7 per finalist.
There’s a lot more information about the rules of the MLS is Back Tournament in Major League Soccer’s full press release. If you want to know the mechanics of the tournament in granular detail, give that a read.
I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that this blog doesn’t draw a ton of Major League Soccer fans, so many of you are probably wondering where Major League Soccer clubs will stay and how they’ll impact your visit to Walt Disney World.
As with the NBA, we’re anticipating that MLS players and staff members will not be allowed to visit the parks (once they’re open). The whole reason for having a bubble site is to mitigate health risks and chances of exposure, and visiting theme parks–far from risk-free environments even with the proposed protocol–would totally undercut that.
The next question is which resort hotel(s) Major League Soccer players and staff will use while staying at Walt Disney World. Given that the MLS is Back Tournament runs until August 11, it’ll overlap significantly with the NBA’s plans to return to Walt Disney World.
This means that Coronado Springs Resort & Gran Destino Tower are off the table for Major League Soccer. The NBA has all but confirmed they’ll use that hotel (and potentially two others), so MLS will need an alternative host resort.
Fortunately, we don’t have to speculate on this, as buried in Major League Soccer’s “tournament testing: The health, safety and medical protocols for Orlando” page, there’s one-line confirmation of where they’ll be staying:
“The Walt Disney World Resort and the Swan and Dolphin Hotel will be providing enhanced cleaning of all venues and enforcing appropriate capacity-management and other social distancing guidelines.” (h/t @ScottGustin).
A few days ago, the Swan & Dolphin announced that the two hotels would remain closed until July 29, 2020. (They also released more flexible cancellation and refund policies, among other things.)
Not so coincidentally, the first available date to book the Dolphin Resort is July 29 and the first date for staying in the Swan Resort is August 12, 2020.
As such, we’ll take all of this at face value and assume that the Swan & Dolphin will be the resort host of Major League Soccer at Walt Disney World. The two hotels have a combined 2,270 guest rooms, which is more than enough for the MLS.
There’s no reason to believe any other resort hotels will be impacted. On a semi-related note, we wouldn’t be surprised to see the NBA choose on-site non-Disney resorts for its other two properties. Something at Bonnet Creek would be a solid choice, as the accommodations are generally nicer if you don’t care about theme or on-site perks.
Ultimately, this news is definitely more exciting for Major League Soccer fans than it is for Walt Disney World fans. However, there are a few positive takeaways. First, no impact on crowds in the theme parks. Second, no guests of Disney-owned resorts are being displaced. Finally, this is a good move for the Walt Disney Company more broadly, helping to ensure its ongoing financial health. All things considered, pretty positive news.
If you have questions about the closure, including policy changes and what we know thus far, please consult our Walt Disney World Reopening FAQ & Info, which should answer most inquiries. See our other WDW Closure & Reopening Updates for the latest news. If you’re planning a Walt Disney World trip, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know.
YOUR THOUGHTS
Will you be watching the MLS is Back Tournament? Interested in how Walt Disney World is being utilized as a bubble site for pro sport leagues? Do you agree or disagree with our assessment? Other thoughts or concerns? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
Great marketing decision by Don Garber to host his MMLS (Mickey Mouse League Soccer) at Disney
So, as an MLS fan who lives 4 miles from WWOS how do I find a way to volunteer as a Disney Ambassador for the MLS is Back tournament? Nothing on the WWOS website about it.
Good to know there are more than just us that are mls and Disney fans. Thanks for all the info. Very excited for this !!!
Just received an email from the Swan stating our reservation for July 15—18 is still good. The Swan wanted me to reconfirm the reservation before June 15th, which I did do. These reservation were made the day before WDW shared their plans to reopen. The Swan and Dolphin were originally slated to open at the beginning of July.
Wow, good call. We rented DVC points at Jambo House and almost had a heart attack when we heard we might be displaced. Got the confirmation this afternoon that we were “safe”. I’ve found your site to have rock solid info. Thanks for that, especially in these trying times.
Well Excuuuuuse me Mister Thomas Bricker Sir, we Major Leagues Soccer fans do exist. I hope the metaphorical limb you went off on breaks with a resounding snap. And I’m sure the TONS of mls fans who read your blog (who for some reason are not commenting) would love more coverage of the MLS in Orlando (or next season just Atlanta United coverage).
*runs to Twitter, FB, and Dirty Soccer South to convince MLS fans to jump on the blog and comment*
In all seriousness, I do appreciate the coverage and the amount research you did over something you’re neither passionate about nor provides you with extra page clicks.
David Logan #atl #fivestripes #[email protected] #AtlantaUnited
For the record, I am passionate about the Walt Disney Company and Walt Disney World as a business, and savvy opportunities to make lemonade out of lemons. I absolutely love this type of thing.
I just couldn’t care less about soccer. (However, I don’t begrudge those who do–as I’ve said before, I’m a lifelong Detroit Lions fan. I’m not in a position to judge anyone when it comes to sports…or anything, for that matter.)
WE ARE THE A!!!!!
Amen. I’m a huge Disney and MLS fan and a somewhat enthusiastic NBA fan. I am extremely excited that both leagues are completing their seasons….even if it is in a non-traditional, compacted manner. I am also glad for Disney to increase its revenues in order to pay back some of those recently acquired Covid-related loans. Also hope Atlanta United randomly picks the weaker non-seeded teams (wink). Thank you for your extensive coverage of all things Disney.
I’m glad you absolutely love this type of thing. It is interesting indeed from a business standpoint. And thanks for putting up with my, uh, passionate reply.
Just booked a 3 night stay in a value studio room at Jambo House for mid-July. SO happy to see a ton of availability! We are AP holders as well so hopefully with a booking and passes we will be able to get into a park. Please keep us posted on when reservation info is available.
Having ESPN there is turning out to be a good deal for Disney. I always thought all those ball fields were a bit of a waste of real-estate and a money loser.
“I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that this blog doesn’t draw a ton of Major League Soccer fans . . .” What? Isn’t that the reason we all come here. Never overestimate the draw that is MLS and all those teams from South Carolina (that’s what SC is for, right?). Umm, we all live and die by umm. . . oh, right . . . soccer. That’s that super dangerous sport with people being carried off on stretchers all the time, right? The one where everyone pretends to be millions of years behind on evolution and not have hands or opposable thumbs? You just use your feet and try to get concussions by smacking your head into the ball? Hey, we all love that sport! Woohoo! Soccer!
(sorry . . . just couldn’t resist – I know how sensitive soccer fans can get)
Go Soccer – https://images.app.goo.gl/3ejFBdFfYu6su9HH6
I’m so triggered rn.
(but also laughing. So, thanks for the chuckle!)
The Bonnet Creek resorts make much sense for “bubble” keeping of the teams. They’re more isolated from the main Disney parks area, and have more of an all-inclusive campus design to them.
The Swan & Dolphin hotels are walking distance to Epcot, Hollywood, Boardwalk, etc, and their pool areas are commonly shared so I fail to see how MLS is going to keep all their players sequestered away from those common areas without literally barricading the entrances to the resort from the Boardwalk / Beach Club connector walkways with manned personnel. Additionally, if I was WDW, Swan and Dolphin would be two hotels I’d definitely want to keep open for potential resort guests since you can access two parks from them without needing “cramped” transportation options like buses or monorails or ferry boats. The goal of opening the theme parks at reduced capacity is to ensure “spreading out” is the norm. This seems antithetical to that.
Well timed good news, thanks. Two of my favorite things together for a month, unfortunately we won’t be there but I’ll be watching as much as I can.
I’m actually an from of an MLS fan than NBA (my brothers are season ticket holders to our local club and we go to at least a few games a year), so this is pretty exciting.
Since they are playing at the ESPN complex, will games be broadcast on ESPN? Id didn’t see any news to that effect. I know each team normally has their own broadcast deals so I’m sure that’s somewhat complicated.
Congrats on having the perfect photo in your library for the article. Though this isn’t the world cup, Epcot soccer balls fit well!
“more of an MLS fan” not “an from of an MLS fan”… weird typing
I love this! Nashville SC fan right here!
So now that Disney is done with its sports stuff,(those are technical terms). When do you think they will let all us know, waiting with bated breath, what the future holds. How long do they need without letting people book or change reservations!
I guess now all the players & staff will start jockeying to stay at the Swan, so they won’t have to change hotels if their team makes it to the quarterfinals :-).