Browns set to host 2026 Northeast Ohio Girls Flag Football Championship Tournament

The Cleveland Browns will host the fifth annual Northeast Ohio Girls High School Flag Football Championship Tournament on May 11, 2026. The event will take place at the University of Akron’s InfoCision Stadium, marking the first time the championship has been held at this venue.

Presented by Gatorade, the tournament will feature 16 of the top girls high school flag football teams in the region. This group consists of 11 division champions and five wildcard teams competing in a single-elimination format to determine the regional champion.

The 2026 tournament carries significant stakes for the participating athletes, as the outcome will determine qualification for the state level. The champion of the tournament and three runner-ups will receive automatic bids to the inaugural Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) Girls Flag Football State Championship.

The OHSAA State Championship is scheduled for May 16, 2026, at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. At the state tournament, the qualifying teams from the Browns region will compete against the top four teams from the Cincinnati Bengals region.

The decision to hold the event at InfoCision Stadium is part of an exclusive strategic partnership between the Cleveland Browns and the University of Akron, which serves as the Official University of the Cleveland Browns. Officials from both organizations stated that the collaboration is intended to expand opportunities for student-athletes and the broader community in Northeast Ohio.

Jenner Tekancic, Vice President of Community Relations for Haslam Sports Group, highlighted the expansion of the sport in the region.

“We’re excited to join our partners at the University of Akron and showcase the continued growth of girls high school flag football across Ohio and name a new Browns Champion,” said Jenner Tekancic. “This season has marked a remarkable new chapter for the sport, and we look forward to expanding opportunities for young athletes across the state.”

Haslam Sports Group

University of Akron President R.J. Nemer also expressed the institution’s commitment to hosting the event alongside the Browns organization to support regional growth and student-athlete development.

Tournament Logistics and Fan Information

The championship games on May 11, 2026, are scheduled to run from 5 p.m. To 10 p.m. Gates for spectators will open at 4 p.m. Admission to the event is free and does not require a ticket.

Fans attending the tournament at InfoCision Stadium, located at 375 E Exchange St, Akron, OH 44304, can utilize the following access and parking details:

• Entrance: Spectators should enter through the Northeast Gate.
• Parking: Parking will be available in Lot 8 and Lot 10.
• Amenities: Concessions will be open and available for purchase during the event.

The tournament represents the fifth year of the Northeast Ohio Girls High School Flag Football Championship, reflecting a sustained effort by the Cleveland Browns to promote the sport among high school students in the region.

Media members interested in covering the tournament are instructed to contact Victoria Guerra via email at vguerra@clevelandbrowns.com.