3rd annual event coming to Droplight Grand Park Sports Campus
The REPORTER
The NFL announced on Tuesday that the third annual NFL Flag Championships Presented by Toyota will move to Westfield from July 23 to 26, 2026, with the championship games scheduled for Sunday, July 26. Operated by RCX Sports, this year’s event will take place at the Droplight Grand Park Sports Campus, a 400-plus-acre sports complex featuring more than 30 multi-purpose fields in the Indianapolis metro area.
The NFL Flag Championships are the largest youth flag football tournament in the world, and this year’s event marks the biggest iteration yet, with more than 350 girls and boys teams from across the globe participating. The tournament has quickly become the premier stage for youth athletes to compete at the highest level, showcasing the growing popularity and international reach of flag football.
ESPN will once again provide live coverage of the tournament, bringing the excitement of youth flag football to fans everywhere. Starting Friday, July 24, through the championship games on Sunday, July 26, games will be available on ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, ESPN Deportes and NFL+, with select games also available on Disney+, Disney Channel, Disney XD, the ESPN App and ESPN on YouTube. Games will also be available in select international markets.
“As the nation’s largest and preeminent youth sports campus in the country, we are thrilled to have been selected by the NFL for this world-class event,” explained Greg Stremlaw, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Grand Park Sports & Entertainment. “As the operator of the campus, it has been a key objective of ours to diversify our sport base and we are investing significantly into flag football in multiple ways as part of a multi-faceted flag football vision. One of those objectives was to see the NFL Flag Football Championships make Grand Park home in a multi-year partnership with the NFL.”
The move to Indiana continues the NFL’s storied history with the region, which has hosted numerous marquee league events. Home to the Indianapolis Colts and the annual NFL Scouting Combine, the area has long been a hub for football innovation and talent development. Its world-class facilities and passionate fan base make it the perfect backdrop for the NFL Flag Championships, continuing the tradition of bringing the tournament to communities that live and breathe football.
“Hamilton County, Indiana, has built a reputation as a destination where champions play, and we are certain that this NFL Flag Championship at Droplight Grand Park Sports Campus will be one to remember,” said Hamilton County Tourism President & CEO Karen Radcliff. “Our team looks forward to welcoming these world-class athletes to Hamilton County, thanks to collaborative efforts by our affiliate the Hamilton County Sports Authority and our partners throughout the region.”
“We are honored to welcome the NFL Flag Championships to Westfield and to showcase Grand Park on an international stage,” stated Westfield Mayor Scott Willis. “This event brings the world to our community and highlights why Westfield has become a premier destination for youth sports, hospitality, and unforgettable experiences.”
Flag football is one of the fastest growing sports in the world, with 20 million players globally, and will make its Olympic debut in Los Angeles in 2028. Recently, NFL clubs voted to support financially the development and launch of a professional flag football league. In addition, the NCAA recently approved the addition of flag football to the Emerging Sports for Women program, an important step in establishing flag as a varsity women’s sport across the NCAA. Flag football is now offered for girls at the high school level in 38 states, and more than 100 colleges and universities have women’s flag football programs.
In Indiana, the Colts have led the charge to grow youth flag football across the state, including launching the Colts Flag Football Leagues, a statewide network that connects young athletes to NFL Flag-sanctioned programs. The Colts have also committed $1 million to support girls high school flag football and have advanced numerous initiatives designed to increase access and participation.
“We’re thrilled to bring the NFL Flag Championships to Westfield, Indiana for what will be our biggest and most exciting tournament yet. 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. The greater Indianapolis area has a rich football tradition, and we are looking forward to creating even more unforgettable moments for these athletes and the community.”
Peter O’Reilly, NFL EVP of Events, International and Club Business
“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. 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.”
Mark Gross, ESPN Sr. Vice President, Sports Production
“The NFL Flag Championships have truly become the premier global stage for youth football. Each year, the event continues to raise the bar in scale, competition, and overall impact. This year’s championship will bring together more than 350 teams from around the world at a world-class venue. The energy, talent, and international reach we’re seeing are a powerful reflection of the extraordinary momentum behind flag football’s growth. We’re incredibly proud to partner with the NFL to deliver an unforgettable experience for hundreds of young athletes and their families.”
Izell Reese, CEO of RCX Sports
“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. The Colts are excited and completely invested in the growth of flag football in Indiana and around the world, so we look forward to working with stakeholders from Westfield, Droplight Grand Park Sports Campus and across the Indianapolis region to make this the best flag tournament to date anywhere.”
Kalen Jackson, Colts Owner & Chief Brand Officer
