USA Football to Sanction Flag Football Tournaments in 2024

USA Football is again sanctioning flag football tournaments in 2024 as teams that compete in sanctioned tournaments will earn points toward the USA Football team rankings.

Operators and football leagues may apply to have their tournaments sanctioned and elevated by USA Football, with sanctioned tournaments having quality and experience standards. Squads that place in the national rankings for each division are eligible to receive bids to The One, USA Football’s annual national flag football championship.

Also this year, participants in sanctioned tournaments with current USA Football athlete memberships will become eligible to be scouted for positions on USA Football’s U.S. National Teams. The top performers may receive invitations to the 2025 U.S. National Team Trials and compete to represent the United States in international events leading up to the 2028 Olympic Summer Games in Los Angeles.

“USA Football is teaming up with tournament operators to build a new pathway for athletes and their teams along the road to The One,” said USA Football Chief Executive Officer Scott Hallenbeck. “USA Football helps tournament operators emphasize that their events meet the high standards of the sport’s governing body and increase their visibility within the community. Sanctioned tournaments are also one of the few ways for athletes to be scouted and receive invitations to U.S. National Team Trials in 2025. We are excited to continue providing our members with these opportunities to elevate their level of play and face elite opponents across the country.”

Some of USA Football’s partners operating sanctioned tournaments include Showdown Series, 32 Sports, NOCO (powered by Elite Youth Sports) and BBQ Chicken, an organization run by two-time U.S. Men’s Flag National Team gold medalist Corey Webb.

“It’s a great opportunity for flag football athletes to be a part of USA Football and to showcase their talent for national team scouts,” said Webb. “At BBQ Chicken, we work hard to make our events unique with an elevated experience and respect shown to all the athletes.”

The tournament calendar opened in January and runs through November with events taking place across the country.

“USA Football provides international exposure, as we believe future Olympic gold medalists will be attending our events,” said Showdown Series Tournament Director Nate Williams. “Our sanctioned tournaments now have a structure and pathway for athletes to be seen by U.S. National Team scouts to compete for an opportunity to represent their country.”