World's Largest Flag Football Tournament, world record set in Tampa, Florida

February 4, 2025

Tampa, Florida, United States--USA Flag successfully organized a new edition of their Flag Football Tournament, hosted at the Sportsplex of Tampa Bay; the event attracted over 11,779 players from 1,300 teams, with participants hailing from 40 states and 13 countries, setting the new world record for the World's Largest Flag Football Tournament, according to the WORLD RECORD ACADEMY.

Photos: Facebook/USA Flag

"USA Flag, the leading organizer of flag football tournaments, set a new Guinness World Record by hosting the largest flag football tournament in Tampa, FL. The event attracted 11,779 participants, showcasing the sport’s rapid expansion, commercial viability, and its growing push for Olympic inclusion," the Business Insider says.

"In a landmark moment for flag football, USA Flag successfully broke the Guinness World Record for the largest flag football tournament ever held. The event, hosted at the Sportsplex of Tampa Bay, attracted over 11,779 players from 1,300 teams, with participants hailing from 40 states and 13 countries.

"The tournament was meticulously planned over several months, requiring dozens of fields, hundreds of referees, and a comprehensive scheduling system to accommodate the massive player base."

"Founded in August 2015 as an event marketing company, the Flag Football World Championship Tour was built by two former players with creative, marketing and entreprenuerial backgrounds with a goal of uniting the sport of flag football under a single brand," the official website says.

"We began by recruiting the top independent flag football tournament events in the nation to agree to partner under the FFWCT umbrella, allowing us to bring major sponsorship value to the events collectively and better market the events to players nationwide."

"Flag football is emerging as one of the fastest-growing sports worldwide, with participation rates increasing at both youth and adult levels. Unlike tackle football, the non-contact nature of flag football makes it more accessible and reduces injury risks, making it an attractive alternative for schools and communities," the Business Insider says.

"With flag football participation booming, USA Flag has capitalized on the trend by expanding its tournaments, camps, and sponsorships. The organization’s business model focuses on large-scale, professionally managed tournaments that provide participants with a full-fledged sports entertainment experience.

"USA Flag is the world’s leading provider of youth, high school, collegiate, and adult flag football tournaments and camps. Dedicated to growing the sport on a global scale, USA Flag hosts premier events that foster community engagement, athletic development, and competitive excellence."

"The largest flag football tournament includes 11,779 people, and was achieved by USA Flag and BodyArmor Sports Nutrition (both USA) at Sportsplex of Tampa Bay in Tampa, Florida, USA, on 18 January 2025," the Guinness World Records says.

"The tournament lasted from January 15th- January 20th."

"Team Flight School from Montreal, Quebec has won the International NFL Flag Championships at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, Florida," the WebWire says.

"Young athletes from 13 countries traveled to the U.S. to compete in a three-day flag football tournament to showcase their skills and connect with peers from around the world, before watching NFL superstars compete in the sport.

Fast-paced and accessible for all, flag football is one of the fastest growing sports globally with women and girls driving some of the largest growth in participation. NFL Flag is the official flag football program of the NFL — working to bring the non-contact version of American football to young athletes worldwide."

"Flag football reached a new milestone as USA Flag successfully organized the world’s largest tournament, now officially recognized by Guinness World Records.

"The event took place over multiple days at the Sportsplex of Tampa Bay, where thousands of athletes, families, and fans gathered for a historic display of competition and sportsmanship," the MSN reports.

"With participation from over 40 states and 13 countries, the tournament showcased just how far the sport has come. The event was designed to accommodate various divisions, including youth, high school, collegiate, and adult divisons.. The tournament structure ensured fair play, with professional referees officiating every game and state-of-the-art scheduling systems in place."