YOUTH FOOTBALL’S BIGGEST EVENT
A one-of-a-kind national tournament celebrating and promoting youth football.
The FBU National Championship tournament celebrates and promotes youth football through uniting all-star athletes of all backgrounds from across the United States in a true, one-of-a-kind national tournament. The only national football tournament of its kind, the annual FBU National Championship crowns a national champion from brackets in grades 6th, 7th, and 8th.
The FBU National Championship provides the best representation of talent from all across the country, and the Path To Naples showcases the very top of the talent pool each year in what has become the best glimpse into the next generation of elite football prospects.
“Already the biggest event in youth football, Football University’s national tournament continues to grow.”
-Naples Daily News
What FBU National Championship Teams Receive
ALL teams receive:
- adidas National Championship jersey for all players
- Full coverage of every team & top performers is provided by the Voice of Youth Sports, Chad Ricardo
- The FBUNC Tournament Draw Show, released in October, announces bracket to national audience
- Opportunity for players to be selected for the All-Regional Tournament Team following Round 2
- 4 weeks of top-level coaching at the youth level.
- 4 weeks of playing with the best-of-the-best in your area & against the top players across the country
- Regional Championship games streamed LIVE across the country on FloSports (subscription fee applies)
The 8 teams that ADVANCE to Naples, Florida, will receive:
- Opening Ceremony extravaganza with swag, prizes, activities, and food & beverages for athletes
- All coaches and team staff receive officially licensed National Championship apparel and swag
- adidas jerseys for Championship Week games featuring the latest uniform technology
- Full coverage of every team & top performers is provided by the Voice of Youth Sports, Chad Ricardo
- Media exposure in the form of over 10 million impressions through FBU & other sociaVdigital outlets
- Chance to earn All-Tournament Team Honors, presented by XOS Digital, the scouting partner of FBU and over 200 colleges nationwide
- Olympic-style FBUNC medals to 1st, 3rd, 5th, & 7th-place winners upon tournament completion
- Quarterfinals & Semifinals at the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade levels streamed LIVE across the country on FloSports (subscription fee applies)
The 2 teams competing for a NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP will receive:
- The right to be called 2019 Football University National Champion
- National Championship games at the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade levels streamed LIVE across the country on FloSports (subscription fee applies)
- Full-sized FBU Championship Belts to winning 6th, 7th, 8th-grade programs
In addition to what athletes receive:
- Affordable hotel accommodations for teams in Naples to help make travel easier
- Maximum exposure at the most elite Middle School National Championship Tournament in the world
- Special discounts and offerings to local businesses within Collier County – including Naples, Marco Island, and the rest of the Paradise Coast – courtesy of FBU
- Once-in-a-lifetime experience in the Paradise Coast with players & families from across the country
FBUNC.COM | #PATHTONAPLES
TOURNAMENT REGULATIONS
Athletes can be associated with any youth football organization – whether private, regional or national (Pop Warner, AYF, AAU, UYFL, etc.).
There are no weight restrictions.
The Football University National Championship Governors have set recruiting boundaries and team composition rules so as to regulate player selections. These regulations can be found here.
Eligible football players must be in either grade 6, 7, or 8 during the fall of the school year during the current duration of the National Championship tournament in question. To verify, a signed report card (or standard equivalent) must be provided during team registration prior to round one.
6th-graders can not turn 13 years-old before August 1 of the current tournament year.
7th-graders can not turn 14 years-old before August 1 of the current tournament year.
8th-graders can not turn 15 years-old before August 1 of the current tournament year.
The FBU National Championship tournament and its teams and brackets are age and grade-based. Tournament player qualification rules are set and establish the equality of play for all athletes.
Safety of the athletes that participate in our tournament is paramount above and beyond all else: the age and grade qualifications ensure a level playing field and is meant to reduce the risk of injury.
Unfortunately, these age and grade regulations will exclude a small number of players. That said, improving the safety and age equality of the National Championship tournament can not be overlooked and executing an excellent event for all involved is our main priority.
Official tournament rules and regulations can be read here.
Only Wilson-branded TDJ or higher for 6th and 7th-grade games.
Only Wilson-branded TDY or higher for 8th-grade games.
Teams are required to play with the above football regulations in every round of the FBU National Championship tournament, with no exceptions.
Failure to adhere to this rule will result in a team monetary penalty for a rule violation.
Teams are encouraged to bring their own balls for tournament play. FBU will provide one Wilson TDJ ball and one Wilson TDY ball at each game.
WHERE FOOTBALL PLAYERS GET BETTER
