Disney Junior and ESPN are joining forces once again for a brand-new programming collection designed to get little ones moving. Me & Mickey: Let’s Play Sports, a collaboration between Disney Jr., ESPN, and Positive Coaching Alliance, debuts Monday, June 29, 2026, on Disney+, Disney Jr., and Disney Jr. On Demand.
What Is Me And Mickey: Let’s Play Sports?
The new collection consists of 10 short films extending the popular Me & Mickey vlog series that has already found a home on Disney+. The shorts feature Mickey, Minnie, and the gang introducing preschoolers to basic sports techniques like kicking a soccer ball and playing catch, while emphasizing teamwork, active play, and sportsmanship.
This is the second year of the ESPN and Disney Jr. partnership on youth sports outreach. The initiative also works in tandem with national nonprofit Every Kid Sports to provide registration fee grants for income-restricted families with children ages 3 to 7, with fulfillment running through the fall 2026 Every Kid Sports Pass. Last year, the program provided grants to more than 1,200 families, with half reporting their child was playing an organized sport for the very first time.
Two Disney Powerhouses Team Up
The pairing of Disney Jr. and ESPN is a natural one. Disney has owned ESPN since 1996, and the Me & Mickey format is ideally suited to the mission. By casting Mickey as a vlog-style host who speaks directly to young viewers, the shorts create an interactive, encouraging atmosphere that fits seamlessly with Disney Jr.’s existing emphasis on active play and healthy development.
Alyssa Sapire, Head of Disney Jr. Original Programming and Strategy, said the initiative integrates positive life skills directly into the studio’s storytelling. Kevin Martinez, Vice President of ESPN Corporate Citizenship, noted that ESPN believes sports can build confidence, teamwork, and sportsmanship in kids from an early age.
Where To Watch
Me & Mickey: Let’s Play Sports debuts Monday, June 29, at 6:25 a.m. EDT/PDT on Disney Jr. and is also available on Disney+ and Disney Jr. On Demand. For more on the initiative and to check grant eligibility, visit everykidsports.org/letsplaysports. For more Disney Jr. and Disney streaming news, check out our coverage of Disney’s youth sports and community initiatives.
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