FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Football Nova Scotia Announces Inaugural CFL Maritime Flag Football Challenge April 12, 2026 – Halifax, NS

Football Nova Scotia and the CFL is proud to announce the launch of the CFL Maritime Flag Football Challenge, a new annual event bringing together the top provincial flag football athletes from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island. The inaugural competition will take place April 12, 2026, at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

“The CFL Maritime Flag Football Challenge represents a huge leap forward for our sport in Atlantic Canada,” said Karen Ouellette, Football Nova Scotia’s Executive Director. “Bringing all three provinces together in a high performance environment elevates the level of competition and gives our athletes meaningful preparation for the national stage.”

This one day regional showcase will feature U14, U16, U18, and U19 divisions competing in a full round robin series. More than 350 athletes, coaches, and officials will participate, making it one of the most anticipated flag football events to be hosted in Atlantic Canada.

The Challenge serves as a key preparation stage for all three provinces ahead of the 2026
National Elite Championships. Nova Scotia and New Brunswick will use the event as the final step in their travel team selection process, while Prince Edward Island arrives with finalized rosters ready for high performance competition.

Building on the long-standing Nova Scotia and New Brunswick pre-Football Canada Cup tackle series, the Maritime Challenge, this new tri-provincial format marks a major step forward in the growth and visibility of flag football across the Atlantic region. Football Nova Scotia intends for the CFL Maritime Flag Football Challenge to become a permanent annual fixture on the Atlantic football calendar.

“We’re incredibly proud to have the CFL’s support behind this event,” said Ouellette. “Their investment in flag football is a powerful signal of the sport’s growth and potential in our region. It strengthens our pathway for young athletes, raises the profile of the game, and helps us build a stronger football community across the Maritimes. The energy, the talent, and the momentum behind flag football here are undeniable, and this event is only the beginning.”

Games will run throughout the day across multiple fields at Saint Mary’s University, beginning in the morning and continuing into the late afternoon. Each age division will play a complete round-robin series, giving fans the chance to watch fast-paced, high-skill flag football from some of the top young athletes in the Maritimes.

Spectators are encouraged to come out, cheer on their province, and experience the excitement of elite flag football. Admission is free, and all games are open to the public.

The full schedule is available here: 2026 CFL Maritime Flag Football Challenge