The British American Football Association has officially sanctioned Flagapalooza, the UK’s premier flag football community tournament ahead of its third edition from 21-23 August 2026 in Cheltenham.
Flagapalooza will welcome teams in its Leisure, Elite Women’s and Elite Men’s brackets, with a number of high profile faces lined up to attend from the likes of Nigeria, Sweden, Ireland, USA and Great Britain’s national programmes.
Boasting food trucks, afterparties and a festival atmosphere alongside competitive flag football, Flagapalooza offers free entry to spectators at Newlands Park in Cheltenham.
“For the last 3 years, we’ve managed to grow into the UK’s largest adult international flag football tournament,” Flagapalooza founder Benjamin Newham commented.
“We’re thrilled to be partnering with BAFA and proud to be able to bring this growing sport to the wider community and the general public.
“With flag football growing every year, there’s never been a better time to come and experience the sport in the lead up to the LA2028 Olympics. Best of all, it’s absolutely free to attend. We have some unbelievably mouthwatering street food trucks as well as music bar and the opportunity to come and watch future Olympians play at the peak level of the sport here in the UK.”
“Working alongside and officially sanctioning Flagapalooza feels like a really important step forward for flag football in the UK,” added BAFA CEO Chad Ehlertsen.
“Community events are a huge platform for growing sports like flag, and by partnering with Flagapalooza we can not only ensure that the event is safe and well-governed through our sanctioning process, but also celebrate the time, effort and achievements that the event has brought to the sport.”
Learn more about the tournament here.
Images courtesy of Penallta Photographics