More than 1,200 players, coaches, and fans packed into Rockford Park District’s Clarence Hicks Sports Complex for the Chicago Bears NFL FLAG Regional Tournament Saturday, October 24, 2026.
This is the second year this major tournament has been held at the sports complex, with 54 teams from Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Iowa competing to advance to the national championships. Several local teams participated in the tournament that featured 11 divisions, with ages ranging from 8U–14U for boys and 10U through high school for girls.
“We are excited and grateful that the Rockford Park District is a lead player in the Chicago Bears NFL Flag regional once again. The Rockford Park District has been a tremendous partner and has played a critical role in the growth and success of Flag Football throughout Northern Illinois. We appreciate their commitment to giving young people across the region the opportunity to compete in this great event,” said Gustavo Silva, Chicago Bears Director of Football Development.
Chicago Bears alumni cornerback Jerry Azumah was on hand to present awards to the teams, recognizing the athletes’ efforts and accomplishments throughout the tournament.
The Chicago Bears NFL FLAG Regional Tournament is run by RCX Sports, the official youth sports operator for the NFL, NBA, WNBA, NHL, MLS, MLB, and USTA.
“We are honored to welcome the Chicago Bears NFL FLAG Regional Tournament back to the Rockford region for a second year,” said Kara Davis, Senior Sales Manager at GoRockford. “With participation growing this year, it's exciting to see the continued growth of this tournament. Events like these bring athletes and their families to our community, generating economic impact for our local hotels, restaurants, and businesses while continuing to strengthen Rockford's reputation as a premier sports tourism destination.”
