2023 NFL Draft Weekend will kickstart 25th NFL FLAG Regional Tournament season
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (April 27, 2023) – NFL FLAG announced its 2023 schedule featuring six additional NFL FLAG Regional Tournaments after record-setting participation in 2022 and an increased demand across the country. Dating back to 1999, the 2023 season marks 25 years of hosting NFL FLAG Regional Tournaments.
The schedule for the now 22-tournament-season officially kicks off in Kansas City, Mo. on April 28 during the 2023 NFL Draft weekend. First-time tournaments will be held in four other cities – Nashville, Tenn. (June 11), Pittsburgh, Pa. (June 24), Jacksonville, Fla. (July 29) and Dothan, Ala. (TBD). Every winning team from the 22 Regional Tournaments will advance to the NFL FLAG Championships at Pro Bowl Games in February 2024.
The 2023 NFL FLAG Regional Tournament series offers athletes more opportunities to compete than ever before. The regional tournaments will include flag football for all youth athletes between the ages of 8u and 17u and more opportunities for girls as well. The 2023 NFL Draft weekend will also host the debut of adult flag, which has already reached full registration.
“Our organization is honored to welcome youth and adult athletes, parents, NFL fans and the next wave of professional players to Kansas City,” said Andrew Smitka, Kansas City Chiefs Manager of Youth Outreach. “This will be an action-packed weekend and a huge opportunity to set the tone for the 2023 season right here in Kansas City. We are geared up to host the first NFL FLAG Regional Tournament of the season and see childhood dreams come to life for this incoming class of NFL players.”
Last year, NFL FLAG Regional Tournaments generated the highest participation of any previous year with eight of the 12 Regionals breaking participation records. The increased popularity created unprecedented demand that led to new tournaments being held at notable events such as the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, The World Games in Birmingham, Ala. and the 2022 NFL Draft in Las Vegas, Nev.
“The continued growth of our NFL FLAG Regional Tournaments is positively impacting the lives of thousands of youth athletes throughout North America,” said Izell Reese, NFL FLAG Executive Director. “After nearly doubling in size from 2021-2023, our partnerships with 32 NFL clubs allow us to spread across the country and make flag football more accessible to those who lack the resources to travel great distances.”
NFL FLAG Regional Tournaments are exclusive to teams who participate in NFL FLAG Leagues and all regional tournaments are supported by the NFL club in the nearest market. More than 1,000 NFL FLAG teams are expected to take the field in the 2023 season, ranging from youth athletes under eight years old up to 17 years old with four different girls’ brackets.
International youth athletes will have the opportunity to compete in six different Canadian Regional Tournaments leading into the NFL FLAG Canadian National Championship.
The premier sponsor of the NFL FLAG Regional Tournaments and Championship is Subway. Additional partners include Franklin Sports, Gatorade, Team Snap, NSID, Oakley, Augusta Sportwear and Game Changer.
For more information about joining NFL FLAG leagues, visit NFLFLAG.com/events for youth athlete registration and a comprehensive spring schedule. Information for the NFL FLAG Chief’s Adult Tournament can be found here.
About NFL FLAG
NFL FLAG is an NFL-licensed property of more than 1,800 locally operated leagues and over 585,000 youth athletes across all 50 states and Canada. NFL FLAG is a fun and accessible non-contact program available for girls and boys ages 5-17. Players benefit by being physically active through non-contact, continuous action while learning the fundamentals of football as well as lessons in teamwork and sportsmanship. RCX Sports is the official operator of NFL FLAG. Learn more online at nflflag.com.
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Jaclyn Thomas