TEAM USA FOOTBALL TO PREPARE FOR 2026 FLAG FOOTBALL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS AT CHULA VISTA ELITE ATHLETE TRAINING CENTER
– Reigning flag football world champions name Chula Vista home for 2026 –
CHULA VISTA, CALIF. – USA Football is joining the long list of National Governing Bodies to prepare for international competitions, including events like the Olympics, at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center. In 2026, the U.S. National Team Trials and Training Camp will be held at the Center as Team USA Football® prepares to defend its titles at the 2026 International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Flag Football World Championship in Düsseldorf, Germany.
The Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center is an official U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Site. It plays a significant role in training and developing athletes across a wide variety of sports. USA Archery, U.S. Rowing, USA Rugby and USA Track & Field are among the National Governing Bodies that call the Center home.
“USA Football is excited for the opportunity to partner with the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center,” said USA Football Managing Director of High Performance and National Teams, Eric Mayes. “Chula Vista has a proven track record as a hub for high-performance sport and Olympic-level preparation. As our adult and junior national teams prepare for international competition, the Center’s resources will allow us to train with intention to ensure our athletes are fully equipped to pursue gold in 2026.”
The Center recently secured a new ten-year agreement with the City of Chula Vista, ensuring it will play an active role in helping athletes and programs prepare for the FIFA World Cup 2026, Rugby World Cups, the 2028 Summer Olympics, the 2031 FIFA Women's World Cup and more.
“With so many major sporting events on the horizon, Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center has never been more alive,” said Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center Business Development Manager Trevor Higgins. “We are thrilled to welcome USA Football to the growing family of National Governing Bodies who train and prepare at our facilities. It’s exciting to have one of the world’s fastest growing sports at the Center, especially during this period of strategic expansion and global engagement.”
Flag football’s popularity is rapidly expanding across the U.S. and the world. The 2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championship in Lahti, Finland was the largest to date, featuring 32 men’s and 23 women’s national teams from six continents. The U.S. Men’s National Team has won five consecutive World Championships, while the U.S. Women’s National Team has won the last three.
USA Football helps foster the sport’s international growth by hosting the Junior International Cup annually, providing pathways for girls and boys in the 15U and 17U age divisions to compete at the highest level.
Flag football is also creating new opportunities in the U.S. In January, flag football was added to the NCAA’s Emerging Sports for Women program, creating a pathway for the sport to achieve NCAA championship status in the future. The University of Nebraska became the first Power Four program to announce that it will field a women’s flag football team prior to LA28.
About USA Football: USA Football is the National Governing Body (NGB) for American Football in the United States and the sole U.S. member of the International Federation of American Football (IFAF), the international governing body for the sport of American football. USA Football selects, trains and leads Team USA Football® 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 Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center: The Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center opened in 1995 and sits on 155 acres in Chula Vista, San Diego County, with world class athletic facilities, housing and dining. An official United States Olympic and Paralympic Site, utilized by athletes who live, train and eat on campus 365 days a year. The training camps, clinics, events and resident programs include over 20 Olympic, Paralympic and emerging sports across all elite levels. Go to trainatchulavista.com to learn more and train where making dreams come true is our passion! Follow us Facebook, Instagram and X.