MaxPreps Flag Football Showdown to Put 350+ of Nation's Top Girls' Flag Football Players on National Stage

Leveraging its national reach, ranking authority and deep ties across high school sports, MaxPreps brings together 18 elite programs for inaugural national invitational Sept. 11–12

ATLANTA, Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The field is set for the inaugural MaxPreps Flag Football Showdown, with 18 of the nation's top girls' flag football programs and more than 350 student-athletes set to compete Sept. 11–12, 2026, at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center. In partnership with iFlag, the first-of-its-kind national invitational will feature elite scholastic programs from California, Montana and Alabama.

Teams were selected using national rankings, season performance and competitive resumes, with MaxPreps leveraging its ranking authority, deep relationships across high school athletics and comprehensive team and athlete data to identify a field representing the highest level of competition in the sport. As the nation's leading platform for high school sports coverage, MaxPreps is uniquely positioned to bring these programs together and give girls' flag football greater national visibility as the sport continues its rapid growth. 

The tournament will feature top ranked teams including Central (Phenix City, Ala.), JSerra Catholic, Huntington Beach and Newport Harbor, along with four nationally ranked individual players: No. 1 Makena Cook and No. 2 Ava Irwin of Sierra Canyon, No. 6 Tessa Russell of JSerra Catholic and No. 8 Savannah Sevier of Central of Alabama.

"The caliber of this field shows just how far girls' flag football has come," said B.J. Pilling, President of PlayOn Sports. "These athletes deserve a stage that matches their talent. The MaxPreps Flag Football Showdown does that by bringing the top scholastic girls' flag programs in the nation together, with more visibility and storytelling surrounding these athletes than ever before. It's an opportunity to showcase the level of competition and talent driving the sport forward."

A New National Stage for Girls' Flag Football

Girls' flag football is experiencing rapid growth nationwide. According to the recent NFHS participation survey, 68,847 high school athletes played girls' flag football in 2024-25, a 60% year-over-year increase, while the number of schools offering the sport grew from 1,777 to 2,736.

The Showdown represents a significant step forward in creating a national platform dedicated to showcasing the sport's highest level of competition.  MaxPreps' role extends beyond the field, using its national reach and content platform to turn the competition into a larger storytelling moment for girls' flag football.  Games from Fields 1 and 2 will be simulcast for free on MaxPreps and the NFHS Network, while MaxPreps will amplify the competition through athlete spotlights, program profiles, live highlights, photography and behind-the-scenes storytelling, bringing greater visibility to the athletes and programs shaping the future of girls' flag football.

Building the Future

When MaxPreps and iFlag announced the partnership in April, the organizations outlined a long-term vision to create a national competition platform. That vision will continue in 2027 with the Spring East Coast Flag Football Showdown confirmed for Tampa, Florida, tentatively scheduled for Feb. 26–27.

As participation continues to surge, state recognition expands and collegiate opportunities take shape, the Showdown offers a snapshot of where girls' flag football is headed: a national sport with elite competition, a growing fan base and a new generation of female athletes building their own path in football.

For the full field, event schedule and streaming information, click here.

About PlayOn Sports

PlayOn Sports is the nation's leading technology company powering high school athletics, serving thousands of schools and millions of fans nationwide. GoFan, NFHS Network and MaxPreps are the trusted PlayOn brands connecting fans, families, athletes and schools through ticketing, streaming, highlights, scores and stats. Together, every game reaches more fans, generates more engagement and creates greater support for school athletic programs. As high school sports continue to grow, PlayOn remains committed to strengthening the communities at the heart of the game. To learn more, visit playonsports.com. 

About MaxPreps

Since 2002, MaxPreps has been America's source for high school sports information, serving millions of athletes, parents, coaches and administrators monthly. Dedicated to covering every team, game and player, MaxPreps supports local sports communities with its tools and award-winning photography, video, articles and social channels. For more information about MaxPreps and for the latest high school sports news, scores and expert analysis, visit maxpreps.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Emily Crousore
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SOURCE PlayOn Sports