Panama to welcome Superstars of Flag Football at Americas Flag 2025
Panama will host the IFAF Americas Flag 2025 continental championship from September 12 to 14 when men’s and women’s flag football national teams from across North, Central and South America and the Caribbean compete in Panama City.
The two top ranked women’s teams in the world – the United States and Mexico – headline a competitive field. Mexico quarterback Diana Flores and her USA counterpart Vanita Krouch are two iconic faces of international flag football and will resume a rivalry that has illuminated multiple tournaments.
USA defeated Mexico when the teams contested the continental gold medal in 2023 and again last summer when USA triumphed at the 2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championships.
The first ever IFAF Americas Youth Flag Football Championships for U15 and U17 boys’ and girls’ national teams will run concurrently on adjoining fields.
“We are honored to host the continent’s elite flag football adult and youth players and some of the world superstars of our sport in Panama for what will be an exciting tournament,” said Luis Alfredo Navas, President of the American Football Federation of Panama (AFFP). “We look forward to welcoming a record number of nations for what is certain to be a high-level competition while enjoying the vibrant city life, rich culture, beautiful surroundings and the Panama Canal.”
In the men’s tournament, reigning champions the United States are set to renew a rivalry with Mexico, the nation they beat in the 2023 gold medal game. Panama’s men finished third at the 2023 continental championships, having won the bronze medal at the 2021 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Israel.
Panama’s women were crowned world champions in 2016, won the silver medal when Panama hosted the IFAF World Championships in 2018 and took bronze at The World Games in 2022. They were edged out of a continental medal by Canada in 2023.
Among Panama’s stars, wide receiver Ana Vincensini was named the Sun Conference Player of the Year for the second year in succession having dominated with 84 receptions for 849 yards and 19 touchdowns in her junior year at Warner University in Florida.
Spectators coming along to support their teams will have access to a special Fan Zone that will include family-friendly activities, live music, sports, art, festival games, food trucks, and merchandise stores.
IFAF Director for the Americas Javier L’Episcopo:
“IFAF is delighted to return to Panama City, where we are confident the local organizing committee will deliver an event that matches the great success of the IFAF Flag Football World Championships that Panama hosted in 2018. This is a significant step in the continued development of flag football in the Americas.”
One of the world’s fastest-growing sports, flag football is played by 20 million athletes in 100 countries, with the IFAF Americas Flag 2025 representing the pinnacle of competition in the region.
The event will showcase the creative, fast and thrilling action that is a hallmark of elite flag football as the sport continues its extraordinary momentum on the road to a debut appearance at the Olympic Games in LA28.
IFAF continues to reinforce structured and competitive pathways for flag football, with its continental championships playing a crucial role in the journey towards the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships. The record-breaking 2024 edition of the IFAF Flag Football World Championships was the culmination of IFAF’s biggest-ever international cycle of flag football competition and brought together elite athletes representing 31 nations from five continents at the most competitive and thrilling tournament to date.
Other events in this year’s IFAF continental championships series include the inaugural Africa Flag 2025 (Cairo, Egypt, June 20-21) and Euro Flag 2025 (Paris, France, September 24-27.) The dates and location for Asia-Oceania Flag 2025 are scheduled for announcement soon.
