Showdown Series & USA Football bring elite flag football to Orange County, April 6

Los Alamitos tournament is the first of three Signature events sanctioned by USA Football. Athletes to compete in front of U.S. National Team scouts with flag football’s Olympic debut in 2028.

The ultimate West Coast flag football tournament is coming to Los Alamitos on April 6 as the Showdown Series West Coast Champions, presented by USA Football, takes place on April 6 at Los Alamitos High School. 

This flag football championship features more than 60 club flag football teams from the west coast, competing across youth (ages 8-18) and adult divisions as they vie for the title of West Coast Champion. The tournament is especially unique as it has the distinction of being one of three “Signature” tournaments in the county sanctioned by USA Football, the sport’s governing body in the United States and the organization responsible for selecting, training and leading the U.S. Flag Football Teams that represent the U.S. in international competitions, including when flag football makes its Olympic debut in the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles. 

As a USA Football “Signature” event, the Showdown Series provides athletes with a chance to compete in front of USA Football’s National Team scouts as they identify talent for the U.S. National Team pipeline. The tournament features USA Football’s 5-on-5 flag football rules, consistent with those played in international competition, including the 2028 Summer Games, and is guided by a USA Football tournament director to ensure the highest standards of fairness and adherence to rules.  

The past two years marked a period of unprecedented exposure and success for flag football as the NFL transitioned the Pro Bowl, its annual all-star game, to a flag format, and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced flag football’s addition to the Olympic program for the 2028 summer games in Los Angeles.  

Flag football’s popularity is exploding in the U.S. and across the world with millions of players across 100 countries. In the U.S., flag football is a sanctioned high school varsity sport for girls in 14 states, including California, and many more states have pilot programs aimed at growing varsity offerings. There are women's flag football scholarship opportunities and a national championship at the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) collegiate level.  

The NCAA is exploring flag football as part of its “Emerging Sports for Women” program. According to USA Football research, from 2014 through 2023, there was a 58% increase in participation in flag football among ages 6-12 (boys and girls combined). Almost 1.1 million young athletes in this age range played the sport in 2023. 

SOUTHDOWN SERIES WEST COAST CHAMPIONSHIPS PRESENTED BY USA FOOTBALL 

Who: West coast flag football teams from ages 8-18 years old and adult divisions competing for the title of the West Coast Champion. 

Interview opportunities available with: 

• Nate Williams, Owner, Showdown Series 

• Darrell “D.K.” Taylor, Director of Development Program, USA Football  

• Hannah Meyer, Sr. Manager of Membership & Affiliation, USA Football 

• Aaron Hill, Manager of Recruiting & Club Relationships, USA Football  

• Tournament participants, coaches, parents, and teams.  

What: Showdown Series West Coast Championships presented by USA Football 

When: Sunday, April 6, 2025  

8 a.m. – 6 p.m. (approximately) 

*Media availability available upon request. See below for RSVP information.  

Where: Los Alamitos High School 

3591 Cerritos Ave. 

Los Alamitos, CA 90720  

About USA Football: USA Football is the governing body of American Football in the United States. As a Recognized Sports Organization of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and the sole U.S. member of the International Federation of American Football, USA Football selects, trains and leads the U.S. National Teams in tackle and flag football disciplines, while delivering world-class football development resources, sport standards and competitive opportunities to empower athletes at every level. USA Football is committed to ensuring every athlete has access to develop and compete in the game through safer, inclusive and innovative pathways. For more information, visit usafootball.com.   

About Showdown Series: The Showdown Series was created in Spring 2022 to bring top-tier 7v7, 5v5 flag football, and lineman competitions to athletes throughout the Western U.S. They pride themselves on well-structured and professionally run tournaments that are held to the highest standard. All officials are, at minimum, CIF certified and established. In 2024 Showdown Series partnered with USA Football to be the only USA Football sanctioned 5v5 flag football tournament operator on the West Coast.