The Asia-Oceania region will crown a new men’s champion after Japan outlasted 2023 continental winner Thailand 37-34 at the semifinals stage of the 2025 IFAF Asia-Oceania Flag Football Championships to advance to the Asia tournament final.
In a close game, Thailand found themselves down by eight points and having scored a touchdown trailed 30-28 after a failed two-point attempt. Takehito Taniguchi found Riki Matsui for Japan’s crucial touchdown then the extra point established an unassailable lead despite Thailand’s late comeback attempt.
Japan will face host China who beat Indonesia 26-14 at the Fenghua Sports Center in Ningbo to reach the final on their IFAF tournament debut. The winners will claim a place in the Gold Medal Game against Australia at 6pm and will be guaranteed Asia’s berth at the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Germany next year.
Women
Japan and China will go head-to-head for top spot in the Asia competition at the IFAF Asia-Oceania flag football continental championships at 10.30 am local time on Sunday at the Fenghua Sports Center in Ningbo.
The winners will claim a place in the Gold Medal Game against Australia at 4.45 pm and will be guaranteed Asia’s berth at the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Germany next year.
In what is fast becoming a rivalry game in IFAF competition, Japan will aim to repeat a 33-18 victory from the tournament’s opening game, while host China will look to again triumph as they did when the sides met at The World Games in August.
Watch live. IFAF Asia-Oceania Flag Finals: Field 1, Oct. 26, 01:45 CET (1:45 am, 7:45 pm Oct. 25 ET)
Watch live. IFAF Asia-Oceania Flag Finals: Field 2, Oct. 26, 01:45 CET (1:45 am, 7:45 pm Oct. 25 ET)
Watch live. IFAF Asia-Oceania Flag Finals: Field 3, Oct. 26, 01:45 CET (1:45 am, 7:45 pm Oct. 25 ET)
Men
Finals schedule (All times Central European Time, CET)
3:15 am: Asia tournament Third Place Game: Thailand vs Indonesia
4:30 am: Asia tournament final: Japan vs China
9:30 am: Asia-Oceania Bronze Medal Game: Loser of Japan/China vs America Samoa
(Winner qualifies for 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships)
12 pm: Asia-Oceania Gold Medal Game: Winner of Japan/China vs Australia
Women
Sunday, October 26
3:15 am: Asia tournament Third Place Game: Malaysia vs Philippines
4:30am: Asia tournament final: Japan vs China
9:30 am: Asia-Oceania Bronze Medal Game: Loser of Japan/China vs America Samoa
(Winner qualifies for 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships)
10:45 am: Asia-Oceania Gold Medal Game: Winner of Japan/China vs Australia