Welcome to the LARGEST YOUTH FLAG FOOTBALL tournament in the WORLD!

 

The National Flag Football Championships - Tampa is an open event for any team interested in experiencing a tournament like no other. 

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What started out as a 34 team event four short years ago, it has transformed into a celebration of the sport of flag football. Last year's event featured over 242 teams representing 32 states and four countries! This year we are expecting to absolutely blow out those numbers as we are just getting started! 

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As parents ourselves, we appreciate your commitment to your child and your team.  We will do everything we can to ensure that you and your family, have an absolutely incredible time celebrating the game of flag football with some of the biggest enthusiasts in the country.  

 

We can't thank you enough for your support!

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PLEASE NOTE, THIS IS A STAY TO PLAY EVENT. ALL TEAMS MUST BOOK THROUGH OUR HOUSING COMPANY TO BE ELIGIBLE TO PLAY. 

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DATES

JANUARY 15TH - 18TH, 2021

Nationals take place during Martin Luther King Weekend, Jan. 15 - 18, 2021. Plan to arrive either late Thursday or early Friday while departing on Monday evening, 

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DIVISIONS

5 V 5  FLAG FOR BOYS & GIRLS

The growth of this tournament means more divisions, formats, and styles of play are offered to accommodate the ever-growing landscape of flag football.

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LOCATION

TOURNAMENT SPORTSPLEX OF TAMPA BAY

All games for the National Championships are played at the  $17 million dollar Tournament Sportsplex of Tampa Bay.

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ITINERARY

CHECK OUT THE PLAN

The tournament schedule is jam-packed with exciting events planned to ensure your stay with us is unbelievable. Learn everything you need to know.

Plan Your Stay
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LODGING

BOOK YOUR STAY

We have secured the very best when it comes to accommodations in Tampa for this event. Take a look at over 3,000 room nights we have reserved.

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REGISTRATION

ENTRY FEES & DEADLINES

Registration fees for all of our styles and divisions can be found here. The deadline to register your team is set for December 16th, 2020.

Sign Up Now

Frequently Asked Questions

What are your COVID protocols?

UPDATED: 9.30.20

As we enter an uncertain time, we are going to be fluid with our Return To Play Protocols. Decisions made today may not be same as tomorrow. Please refer back to this document often. We have used many sources in coming up with our Return To Play recommendations, including but not limited to local high school athletic association guidelines, the Aspen Institute, the Play Sports Coalition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and NFL FLAG recommendations. MANDATES FOR ATHLETES · Must sign off on a COVID waiver. · Must conduct daily symptom assessments (self-evaluation) on their participant(s). Anyone that is experiencing symptoms, a temperature of 100.3 or above, or has come into contact with someone who is sick must stay home. · Wash your hands with soap and water and bring personal use hand sanitizer to the fields. · Bring a personal water bottle which MUST be labeled with players name. · Must not share water bottles · Must adhere to 6-foot social distancing while on the sidelines. · Players are highly encouraged to not touch their mouth guard once it has been placed in their mouth and to sanitize their hands after it has been touched. · No touch rule – players should refrain from high fives, handshake lines, and other physical contact with teammates, opposing players, coaches, officials, and fans. A “round of applause” can be used following the game in lieu of the handshake line. MANDATES FOR SPECTATORS · Must conduct daily symptom assessments (self-evaluation). Anyone that is experiencing symptoms, a temperature of 100.3 or above, or has come into contact with someone who is sick must stay home. · Must not enter player areas during including both practices and games. · Must adhere to 6-foot social distancing practices. This includes in and around bleachers for anyone not in the same family. Please use judgment when bring senior citizens and others with health issues to the games. · Must keep 10-feet or more distance from the sideline in locations without bleachers. · Face coverings are recommended at all times. · We will limit the number of spectators at the venue by strongly recommending only two spectators per player be in attendance, if possible. · Avoid post play socializing. · Leave the field as soon as reasonably possible. MANDATES FOR COACHES · Must adhere to 6-foot social distancing practices. · Must wear facing coverings at all times. · Must conduct daily symptom assessments (self-evaluation). Anyone that is experiencing symptoms, a temperature of 100.3 or above, or has come into contact with someone who is sick must stay home. · There will be no coin toss. The home team will begin with ball possession and the away team will begin with ball possession after half time. · No touch rule – coaches should refrain from high fives, handshake lines, and other physical contact with teammates, opposing players, coaches, officials, and fans. A “round of applause” can be used following the game in lieu of the handshake line. · No coaches will be allowed on the field to disagree or argue a call. Coaches must call the referee to their sideline with all questions and remain 6ft away. This is going to be an adjustment for us all so all coaches’ parents etc. must show good sportsmanship and patience. Arguing judgement calls will not be tolerated. The referees are going to do the best they can. For the safety of all we will not allow aggressive arguing with any referee. · Must ensure that players are following COVID-19 -related prevention measures included herein. · Teams must be on opposite sides of the field. · All teams must use their own balls and keep them clean in between possessions (wiping them down with a Clorox wipe). · Game cards will not be signed. The coaches should confirm the score verbally with the official at the end of the game. · No team snacks/drinks · No after game team huddle · Avoid post play socializing. · Leave the field as soon as reasonably possible. MANDATES FOR OFFICIALS · Must conduct daily symptom assessments (self-evaluation). Anyone that is experiencing symptoms, a temperature of 100.3 or above, or has come into contact with someone who is sick must stay home. · Must adhere to 6-foot social distancing practices when interacting with players, coaches, and spectators off the field of play. · Wear face coverings at all times. · Only officials are to touch the pucks. · Must avoid exchanging documents or equipment with players, coaches, or spectators. · There will be no coin toss. The home team will begin with ball possession and the away team will begin with ball possession after half time. MANDATES FOR STAFF · Must conduct daily symptom assessments (self-evaluation). Anyone that is experiencing symptoms, a temperature of 100.3 or above, or has come into contact with someone who is sick must stay home. · Must adhere to 6-foot social distancing practices when interacting with players, coaches, and spectators off the field of play. · Wear face coverings at all times. · Hand sanitizer will be provided at the directors booth · Must disinfect the pucks after touching them and prior to giving them to officials. · Must collect the game scores verbally from the officials at the end of each game and record them for the weekend review. Blank ref cards may be provided to the officials for score tracking but they must remain with the official. This information is subject to change as state and local requirements change.



Will I get a refund if the tournament is canceled?

Yes. We know these are uncertain times. If this event is canceled due to COVID-19, we will refund you your paid entry fee. If you paid for your entry fee with a 1/2 or full paid bid, you will receive the bid back. All returned bids may be used towards any NFF tour on the 2021 circuit. If you paid a 1/2 of your entry by credit card and the other 1/2 was paid by a bid, you will receive a credit back to your credit card for what you paid and the other 1/2 bid will be sent to you as a coupon for another event. Under no circumstance will bids (half or full) be redeemed for cash. TIPS: We will not reimburse any team for any travel-related expense outside of their entry fee. Please make sure to check with both your housing, airline, and rental car agency in regards to their COVID policies BEFORE you book your plans.



What if I want to stay at a hotel not offered by your hotel group?

This is a STAY TO PLAY event for all teams and players traveling outside of a 75-mile radius from their primary residence. The reason we are able to use this amazing complex is because of the relationship we have formed with the City of Tampa's convention and visitor's bureau. We receive the fields at affordable rates in exchange for our customers staying in selected hotels. If you opt-out of staying at one of our properities, a $600 team fee will be assessed. This fee must be paid before your team will be able to compete in Tampa. Please note that we have worked with our housing group in ensuring that we are able to offer you some of the cheapest rates available due to our group block purchasing power. We leveraged our size to bring you some incredible deals on properties.



Can anybody participate in this tournament?

Yes! As long as you have a team of at least 5 players, you may sign up to compete in one of our 20+ divisions of play. You do not have to have won an event in the past. We have divisions for both boys and girls as well as both recreational and competitive minded teams.



What is a Player ID card?

The integrity of our event is of the utmost importance. Now that this event has grown to critical mass, we have hired Zorts to verify all player's ages, through their Player ID program. The cost is a one time fee of $10. Upon your required upload of your participant's birth certificate, report card, and picture, Zorts will verify and make eligible your player using a virtual player card. Upon registration, all you will have to do is show your player card and you will receive a wrist band to play at this event. The best part of the player card is that it is good for one year for any Zorts ran event.



 
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ITINERARY

FRI

1/15

TEAM CHECK IN/

MEDIA DAY

Players will report to the field with their team to CHECK IN and participate in MEDIA DAY. 

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Practice fields will also be open.

SAT

1/16

ROUND ROBIN PLAY

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All teams will compete in three round robin games of play. Teams will be seeded after all results from your division play are completed. 

SUN

1/17

CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY

 

Based off of Saturday's results, all teams are placed into as single elimination bracket of play. Teams will compete until they are either eliminated or crowned National Championships.

MON

1/18

HEAD HOME

 

For Martin Luther King Monday many teams choose to Explore the Tampa Zoo or Busch Gardens. Whatever your pleasure, we hope you enjoyed this magical experience. 

 

GIRLS ONLY DIVISIONS

YOUTH - 5 VS 5

Featuring the very best in girls flag football. Our tournament features 5 v 5 girls-only divisions. Last year, we featured female teams from Canada, Panama, as well as the states.

 

This is a 5 vs 5 format of play based off of a modified NFL FLAG rule book. 

 

Teams will compete in a three-game round-robin on Saturday, 1/16.

 

Based on performance results, ll teams will advance into a single-elimination playoff on Sunday, 1/17 to crown a National Champion.

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Only $75 Deposit

5v5 DIVISIONS INCLUDE:

10U, 12U, 14U, & 17U

Rules-based off of a modified version of NFL FLAG.

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This is a birth year tournament. Click here to visit our Age Chart 

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BOYS/COED DIVISIONS

YOUTH - 5 VS 5

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Welcome to the LARGEST 5 v 5 flag football tournament in the world!

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This is a 5 vs 5 format of play based off of a modified NFL FLAG rule book. 

 

Teams will compete in a three-game round-robin on Saturday, 1/16.

 

Based on performance results, ALL teams will advance into a single-elimination playoff on Sunday, 1/17 to crown a National Champion.

12 DIVISIONS INCLUDE

Only $75 Deposit 

6U, 7U, 8U, 9U, 10U, 11U, 12U, 13U, 14U, 15U, 16U, and 17U

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This is a birth year tournament. Click here to visit our Age Chart 

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THE TOURNAMENT SPORTSPLEX OF TAMPA BAY 

  • Fifteen (15) full-size fields (including one (1) championship field) 

  • Fields can be configured to accommodate many different sporting activities

  • Professionally maintained Celebration Bermudagrass® playing surface 

  • Premium LED Field Lighting- providing 50 foot-candles on the championship field and 30 foot-candles on the other fields.

  • Modified USGA field drainage system

  • Permanent restrooms on site

  • Wi-Fi available throughout the facility

  • 330 Parking spots (155 paved/175 grass) with additional grass overflow lots

  • 2 sets of aluminum bleachers seating approximately 300 people

  • Exterior plaza for Vendor display area (Approx. 35,000 square feet)

  • Centrally located for easy access from I-4 and I-275

  • 10 minutes from over 6,000 hotel rooms

  • 10 minutes from Downtown Tampa and 20 minutes from Tampa International Airport

  • Located near restaurants, hotels, shopping, Top Golf and Seminole Hard Rock Casino

  • Area attractions less than 20 minutes away include Busch Gardens, Adventure Island and the Florida Aquarium

  • Less than an hour away from Disney!

 

LODGING OPTIONS

This year, we have partnered with Team Travel Source as our Official Housing Partner. 

 

If you have any questions at all in regards to housing options, please call them at 502.354.9103 or email: sports@teamtravelsource.com 

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This is a mandatory STAY TO PLAY event. Meaning that all teams traveling outside of a 75-mile radius MUST stay in one of our designated housing or hotel options. If teams choose to opt-out, they may do so for a $600/per team fee.

 

This tournament is being hosted in conjunction with the Tampa Bay Sports Authority. 

 

 

TRAINED

OFFICIALS

We do our best to provide you with the finest in officiating when it comes to tournament play. 

 

For this tournament, we have flown in officials from across the country to ensure you have a fantastic experience. 

 

To help you better understand the rules of the game, click here for a copy of our tournament rules. 

ZORTS SPORTS

TOURNEY APP

We have created a tournament app which will allow for you to view your check-in time, schedules, standings in real-time, playoff bracket, vendor menus, the halftime show events, etc.

Please have all members of your team download this application.

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CLICK EITHER LINK BELOW

TO DOWNLOAD NOW

 

REGISTRATION

 & DEADLINE

5 v 5 BOYS & GIRLS DIVISIONS 

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Register Before November 1st $375

ONLY $75 Deposit

$475/TEAM after November 1st

Roster max: 10 players

DEADLINE: December 16th. 2020

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WHO IS MICHAEL S. MALIA? 
 Often referred to as "Coach Mike", Michael S. Malia coached for National Flag Football from 2010 - until April 2nd, 2016 when he, unfortunately, passed away from a heart attack at the age of 43. Mike leaves behind Jennifer Malia and son Owen. Mike was one of the greatest souls to walk this earth. When Coach Mike would walk into a room of total strangers, he would work tirelessly to ensure that everybody was having a great time. Through his hilarious jokes and endless stories, he was sure to leave a positive impact on everybody that he encountered.
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The NATIONAL FLAG FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS was created in his honor. Partial proceeds from this tour will be donated to the National Flag Football Association, a 501(c)(3) organization, which was formed to allow for children, no matter their financial situation to have the ability to play the game he loved so much. With this tour, we honor you coach!  We miss you buddy.

WE PLAY FOR 

COACH MIKE

QUESTIONS?

Thank you for participating in this year's event with us.  We are fortunate to have your support and will do all that we can to make this a memorable event for you. If you have any questions, please shoot them over to us and we will do our best to respond to you within the next 48 hours.

 

Omar Yaques, National Tournament Director

786.261.1597.