Atlanta Braves extend stay at Disney World for Spring Training until 2019
The Atlanta Braves will end their Spring Training at Disney World in 2019 instead of 2018.
The announcement came after the team found out their new complex in West Villages in the City of North Port, Sarasota County will not be ready until April 2019, according to a press release from the team.
While the team will play most of its Spring Training games again in 2019 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, the last 2019 Spring Training game will be played in the new ballpark.
“We are thankful for our good friends at Walt Disney World Resort and are excited for this extension,” said John Schuerholz, Atlanta Braves Vice Chairman Emeritus. “We also appreciate the foresight and thoughtfulness of our partners in North Port, Sarasota County and West Villages in recognizing such an extension will be of benefit as we continue to make progress on our new facility. When complete, our new, state-of-the-art facility will secure our long-term goal of creating a perfectly positioned and operational Spring Training facility for the next 30 years.”
The Braves have held their Spring Training at Champion Stadium at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex since 1998.
The first Spring Training game this year at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex is the Washington Nationals on Feb. 26, 2018. (Here’s how to get tickets)
When completed, the new ballpark in North Port will feature 6,500 fixed seats and 2,500 additional general admission, including berm and concourse.
The overall facility will include six and a half practice fields, 55,000 square feet of clubhouse and fitness center for the Braves along with multi-purpose fields and public space that can be used for special events by the City and County.
