USA FOOTBALL SETTING STANDARDS WITH 2024 SANCTIONED TOURNAMENT CALENDAR

USA Football’s nationwide sanctioned tournaments offer premium experiences and opportunities to join elite national competition 

INDIANAPOLIS – USA Football, the sport’s governing body, is sanctioning flag football tournaments in 2024. Following the successful launch of tournament sanctioning in 2023, USA Football is expanding opportunities for tournament operators to host premier events through the sanctioning process. The tournament calendar opened in January and runs through November with events taking place across the country.  

Sanctioned tournaments set new quality and experience standards for flag football events as USA Football continues to raise the bar for the benefit of athletes, coaches, officials and spectators. Operators and football leagues may apply to have their tournaments sanctioned and elevated by USA Football.  

Teams that compete in sanctioned tournaments will earn points toward the USA Football Team Rankings. Squads that place well in the national rankings for each division are eligible to receive bids to The One, USA Football’s exclusive, best-in-class annual national flag football championship.  

Starting in 2024, athlete participants in sanctioned tournaments will have current USA Football Athlete Memberships. Through Membership, athletes 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 U.S. in international events leading up to the 2028 Olympics 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 CEO 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, which was founded by former NFL running back Matt Lawrence, 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.  

“At The Showdown Series, we seek to attach ourselves to the best organizations with similar visions, and USA Football offers that and more,” said Showdown Series Tournament Director Nate Williams. “USA Football provides international exposure, as we believe future Olympic gold medalists will be attending our events. 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. USA Football provides an elite reputation in football at all levels, and now that we are a sanctioned tournament, we have teams all across the country inquiring about attending our tournament series.  

“USA Football Membership, which includes participant insurance coverage, certifications and discounts in various areas, is another benefit for all of our participants. Lastly, now that we are a sanctioned tournament with USA Football, we are growing our brand. More opportunities across the country are becoming available to us that would not be possible without USA Football.” 

“Partnering with USA Football is a game-changer for 32 Sports,” said 32 Sports founder Matt Lawrence. “It's not just about organizing top-tier tournaments; it's about paving the way for young athletes to realize their Olympic dreams under the official USA Football umbrella. We're excited to be a part of this journey, nurturing talent and ambition on the official Olympic pathway. At 32 Sports, each event is a step towards the grand dream of an Olympic gold medal. Collaborating with USA Football, we're thrilled to offer a platform that aligns with the official Olympic pathway, making these dreams more accessible and achievable for aspiring athletes.” 

“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 Corey Webb, two-time gold medalist with USA Football’s Men’s Flag National Team and founder of the BBQ Chicken organization, which will host a sanctioned tournament for adults. “At BBQ Chicken, we work hard to make our events unique with an elevated experience and respect shown to all the athletes. It’s an amazing atmosphere, and we’re taking it to another level with USA Football sanctioning. I believe it will continue to set us apart from others.” 

USA Football will be adding more tournaments to its 2024 calendar throughout the coming months. Visit usafootball.com/tournaments-events to learn more.  

About USA Football: USA Football is the governing body of American football in the United States, the sole US member of the International Federation of American Football, and a recognized sports organization of the US Olympic & Paralympic Committee. Its non-profit mission includes designing and delivering premier educational, development, and competitive programs for American football, including tackle and flag football. USA Football is the only organization that selects and organizes men’s and women’s US National Teams in federation-sanctioned international competition.