2025 NFL Flag Championships coming to Canton. Here’s what to know
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Captain and QB of Mexico’s flag football team Diana Flores shares her excitement for the growth of the sport at the collegiate level.
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- The NFL Flag Championships are back for another round in Stark County, set to take place this month at the Hall of Fame Village for the second year in a row.
- This year’s event will feature nearly 300 teams and 3,000 players. Eight international teams will be competing, as well.
CANTON ‒ Football fans won’t have to wait much longer to catch some action.
The NFL Flag Championships are returning July 17-20 to the Hall of Fame Village for the second year in a row.
“We’re very excited to be partnering with the league and (Unrivaled Sports) and the Village to get these events back in Canton,” said Rich Desrosiers, chief communications and content officer at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. “To bring another event of this magnitude, it reflects the future growth of the game, with a lot of emphasis right now on flag.”
This year’s event will feature nearly 300 teams and 3,000 players. Eight international teams — Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, Great Britain, Mexico and Puerto Rico — will be competing, as well.
The NFL noted that flag football is one of the world’s fastest-growing sports and is played by more than 20 million people around the world.
“Bringing the NFL FLAG Championships back to Canton, a place rooted in football history, is an incredible way to celebrate the game’s future through the eyes of its youngest players and most passionate fans,” Stephanie Kwok, vice president and head of flag football for the NFL, said in a prepared statement. “We’re excited to bring together families, teams and the community for a weekend filled with unforgettable memories.”
‘You may see future Olympic athletes out here’
With flag football set to make its Olympic debut in 2028 in Los Angeles, Desrosiers said there are plenty of reasons to pay attention to the sport.
“You may see future Olympic athletes out here, and the skill level is extraordinary,” he said. “It’s the future of football, and I guess it’s the present of football, too.”
There’s also plenty of interest in the sport because the NFL is permitting NFL players to participate in the Olympics.
Desrosiers said the Hall of Fame hopes as many people as possible attend the games, as they’d love to continue to host the event in the future.
“It would mean a lot to this community to keep this event here, and one of the ways that we can help make sure that happens is to come out and support the kids who are playing,” he said. “These are the best players from all over the country in their age groups. … So, this really is representative of the development of the sport.”
How much are tickets to the NFL Flag Championships?
Tickets can be accessed for free by registering through the NFL OnePass app.
“Every adult must register, and each registrant may include up to five children per entry,” according to a news release. “Registered fans will also be eligible for a chance to win the ultimate trip to Super Bowl LX in the Bay Area in February 2026 — including round-trip airfare, hotel accommodations, and two game tickets.”
Will the NFL Flag Championships be streamed?
Yes, the event will be broadcast on the NFL Network, ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN+, DisneyXD and YouTube. It will also be streaming on NFL+ starting on July 17.
How will tournament play work for the NFL Flag Championships?
According to the NFL, the tournament begins will pool play on July 17. The next day, four age groups will participate in a round of 16, and pool play for designated age groups and the international division will take place, as well.
On July 19, there will be quarterfinals and playoffs for multiple age groups, as well as the semifinals and finals of the international tournament. The semifinals for four age groups and finals for all age groups will take place July 20.
What’s the schedule for the NFL Flag Championships?
Here’s a list of some events and fan experiences at this year’s championship weekend:
- Games: The games will take place at the ForeverLawn Sports Complex from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 17, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 18, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 19, and 8 a.m. to noon July 20. All schedules and live scoring will be available in the NFL OnePass app.
- College Fair & Scouting Showcase: The NFL Flag College Fair, being held from 10 a.m. to noon July 17, will showcase growing collegiate opportunities for girls in flag football and provide opportunities to connect with coaches and college reps throughout the day. From 1 to 3 p.m., standout high school girls will participate in skills and drills to showcase their skills in front of scouts during the NFL Flag College Showcase.
- Madden Gaming Lounge: PlayVS, an amateur esports platform, will host the Madden Youth Championship gaming lounge from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 17 and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 18. The Madden Youth Championship online competition will commence its second season this fall to identify the best student Madden player in the US and Canada between the ages of 13-18.
For more details, go to: nflflag.com.
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