IFAF Asia-Oceania Flag Championships set to kick off in Ningbo
China will welcome a record number of teams and nations to IFAF Asia-Oceania Flag, the biennial flag football continental championships, which will be held at the Fenghua Sports Center in Ningbo from October 24-26. With 28 teams from 16 nations participating in both the men’s and women’s competitions, this year’s tournament promises to be a landmark event for flag football in the region.
A historic debut for new nations
Among the exciting developments this year is the participation of five countries—American Samoa, China, Hong Kong, Jordan, and Mongolia—who are entering IFAF continental competition for the first time. This influx of new talent is expected to elevate the level of play and showcase the growing popularity of flag football across Asia and Oceania. The tournament will also serve as a qualifying event for the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships, set to take place in Düsseldorf, Germany, next summer, with three nations earning a spot.
Championship format and structure
IFAF will crown separate Asia and Oceania champions in both the men’s and women’s competitions. The overall gold medal match will see the Asia and Oceania winners face off to determine the continental champions. In the women’s competition, reigning champions and the continent’s top world-ranked team, Japan, will compete in Group A alongside host China, Thailand, Indonesia, and Hong Kong. China made headlines recently by surprising Japan at The World Games in Chengdu, defeating them 28-22.
Group B will feature Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, India, and Jordan. The group placements were determined using the serpentine method based on the IFAF Flag Football World Rankings, with non-ranked teams drawn randomly into groups. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals after a round-robin competition, while teams that do not qualify for the knockout stages will compete in placement games. The women’s champion will secure a spot in the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships.
Oceania competition heats up
In the Oceania tournament, American Samoa, Australia, and New Zealand will face off in a round-robin format, with the group winner crowned champion and qualifying for the World Championships. Australia, who were the beaten finalists in their debut at the 2023 Asia-Oceania Flag tournament, will be looking to make a strong statement this time around.
Men’s tournament features fierce competition
The men’s competition will consist of four groups of three teams in the Asia tournament. Group A features the continent’s top-ranked team, Japan, alongside the Philippines and Hong Kong. Reigning champions Thailand will face off against Singapore and Jordan in Group B. Each group includes nations making their debut in IFAF international competition, including China, Hong Kong, Jordan, and Mongolia.
Similar to the women’s tournament, the top two teams in each group will advance to the quarterfinals after a round-robin competition. The knockout rounds will determine the Asia champion, who will also earn qualification for the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships. Teams that do not qualify for the knockout stages will compete in a round-robin tournament to determine the 9th through 12th placement.
Excitement builds for the gold medal games
As the tournament progresses, the anticipation for the gold medal games grows. The Asia winner will face the Oceania winner in the IFAF Asia-Oceania Flag Gold Medal Game, while the runner-up from the Asia tournament will compete against the Oceania runner-up for the final World Championships qualifier.
With the stage set for an unforgettable tournament, fans can look forward to thrilling matchups and the emergence of new talent in the world of flag football. The IFAF Asia-Oceania Flag Championships not only highlight the sport’s growth in the region but also pave the way for future generations of athletes. As the countdown to kickoff begins, the excitement is palpable, and all eyes will be on Ningbo as teams vie for glory on the international stage.
Source: IFAF
