The 2026 NFL FLAG Championships presented by Toyota run July 23-26 at the Droplight Grand Park Sports Campus in Westfield, Indiana, with more than 30 games airing across ESPN, ESPN2, ABC and other platforms. Championship games are set for Sunday, July 26.
This is the third annual event. RCX Sports operates the tournament. More than 350 girls and boys teams from around the world will compete, the largest field in the event's history.
Where to Watch the NFL FLAG Championships
ESPN coverage starts Friday, July 24 and runs through the championship games on Sunday, July 26. Games air on:
Platform | Coverage |
|---|---|
ESPN | Live games |
ESPN2 | Live games |
ABC | Live games |
ESPN Deportes | Live games |
NFL Network | Live games |
NFL+ | Live games |
ESPN App | Live games |
Disney+, Disney Channel, Disney XD | Select games |
YouTube | Select games |
Games will also be available in select international markets.
ESPN will be on-site to broadcast the Boys 14u division, the High School Girls division, and the International division games across the July 24-26 weekend.
One added wrinkle: the 14u Coed B Bracket winner plays a friendly against the International Champions on Sunday.
The Venue
Grand Park Sports Campus sits in the Indianapolis metro area. The complex covers more than 400 acres and holds more than 30 multi-purpose fields. It also hosts Indianapolis Colts Training Camp.
The tournament moved to Westfield for 2026. The Indianapolis area also hosts the annual NFL Scouting Combine.
What NFL and ESPN Executives Said
Peter O'Reilly, NFL executive vice president of events, international and club business, pointed to the sport's Olympic timeline.
"Flag football's global growth, accelerated by its upcoming inclusion in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, has been remarkable, and that momentum will be on full display with thousands of young athletes traveling from around the world to compete in the NFL Flag Championships," O'Reilly said.
Mark Gross, ESPN senior vice president of sports production, addressed the venue change.
"The NFL Flag Championship has quickly become a marquee event on our summer programming calendar, and this year's move to Westfield, Indiana marks an exciting next chapter," Gross said. "With an NFL-caliber facility at Grand Park and a strong football culture, Indiana provides a great setting for an event of this scale, and we're proud to showcase these young athletes and the continued growth of flag football across ESPN platforms."
Kalen Jackson, Colts owner and chief brand officer, spoke on the region hosting the event.
"For 50 years, our region has been known around the globe for our expertise and success in hosting the world's greatest sporting events, and we're proud to welcome the NFL Flag Championships to this storied tradition," Jackson said. "The Colts are excited and completely invested in the growth of flag football in Indiana and around the world."
Flag Football by the Numbers
Data point | Figure |
|---|---|
Players worldwide | About 20 million |
NFL FLAG players nationwide | More than 830,000 |
NFL FLAG leagues nationwide | More than 2,000 |
States and jurisdictions with high school flag football | 40 |
Teams at the 2026 Championships | More than 350 |
Olympic debut | 2028 Los Angeles Games |
The NCAA has taken steps toward establishing women's flag football as a championship sport.
Who Can Play: This Is a Youth Event
The NFL FLAG Championships is a youth tournament. Divisions run 10u, 12u, 14u, High School Girls, and International. There is no adult or professional bracket. Pro players are not eligible to compete here.
The pro pathway runs through a separate process.
Where UFL Players Fit In
USA Football selects the U.S. national team for the Los Angeles 2028 Games. Its pool includes players from the NFL, the UFL, other pro leagues including Americans on Canadian rosters, current USA Football National Team members, and athletes transferring from other sports.
Olympic rosters hold 10 players. Games are five-on-five. The field measures 70 yards by 25 yards, with 10 yards for each end zone. Halves run 20 minutes.
NFL owners voted 32-0 in May 2025 to allow one player per team to compete, plus each club's designated international player.
The current national team has a case to make. The U.S. men have won the last four World Championship titles and took gold at the 2022 World Games behind quarterback Darrell "Housh" Doucette. Doucette has pushed back on the assumption that NFL players would replace current national team members.
Team and League Support
The Colts launched the Colts Flag Football Leagues, a statewide network that connects young athletes to NFL Flag-sanctioned programs. The team committed $1 million to support girls high school flag football in Indiana.
The Green Bay Packers have 10 teams competing at the Championships. Each participating school received a $5,000 travel stipend and Packers merchandise through Packers Give Back.
Attending the Event
Access to the event is free. NFL OnePass registration is required for entry.
All adults 18 and older must register themselves. Each adult can register up to five minors. Fans can download the NFL OnePass app or register at nfl.com/flagaccess to receive a QR code.
The NFL Experience and the games are at Grand Park Sports Campus, 19000 Grand Park Blvd, Westfield, Indiana.
Stay-to-Play Requirement
The 2026 NFL FLAG Championships is a stay-to-play event. Teams must book a minimum of 15 hotel room nights through Team Travel Source. Teams can split those nights as they choose, such as five rooms for three nights.
For leagues entering multiple teams, the 15-room-night minimum applies per team. Room nights cannot be combined across teams. Rooms booked outside the provided link do not count. Teams that do not meet the requirement are removed from the tournament.
What's Next
Pool play opens Thursday, July 23. ESPN coverage begins Friday, July 24. Champions in each division are crowned Sunday, July 26.