The Cleveland Browns and the Italian Federation of American Football (FIDAF) have announced a partnership to host the 2026 IFAF European Youth Flag Football Championships in Italy, with the tournament slated for September 24‑26 at Spiaggia Romea Village & Residence in Lido delle Nazioni, just outside Ferrara.
Event Overview
Thirty‑one squads representing 13 countries – including Great Britain, Finland, Israel, Spain, Russia, Poland, Germany, Austria, Czechia, France, Italy, Serbia and Slovakia – will compete across three divisions: U17 Boys, U17 Girls and U15 Mixed, showcasing a broad European participation that underscores the sport’s growing popularity on the continent.
Italy secured its place at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, where flag football will make its debut, and the nation has a strong recent record, having hosted the championships in 2021, 2023 in Grosseto and 2024, marking this as the third time Italy has welcomed the event.
The Italian U17 Girls entered as defending European champions, having captured the 2025 title with a 53‑15 victory over Germany, while the U15 Mixed team finished fourth and the U17 Boys placed sixth in 2025, contributing to Italy’s streak of earning at least one medal in each of the past four European Youth Championships.
Adding to the profile of the competition, the Browns’ branding will be displayed on Italy’s youth national team uniforms, and the Emilia‑Romagna Region is providing logistical support, reinforcing the region’s commitment to developing flag football talent.