The Battle Youth National Championships, a pinnacle event in youth tackle football nationwide, took place in The Palm Beaches from December 4-10, 2023. Hosted by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission in collaboration with the Village of Wellington, the event unfolded at the Village Park Athletic Complex and Greenview Shores Park. The week-long tournament featured highly competitive youth tackle football teams from more than 30 states, making it a significant gathering.
Designed as an elite playoff series, the Battle Youth National Championship offered a platform for non-all-star youth football teams to vie for a national title across various age groups from 6U to 14U. The invitation-only event comprised two divisions, Division 1 and Division 2, guaranteeing teams four games each, with the top two teams in each division competing for the championship. The football championship followed a tournament-style format, encompassing round-robin and pool play at the Village Park Athletic Complex, while the championship games took place at the Wellington Community High School football stadium within Greenview Shores Park.
This unique youth tackle football tournament featured approximately 140 teams, boasting nearly 5,000 athletes and attracting a total of 10,000 attendees. The tourism impact was substantial, with the previous year’s event generating over $10 million in visitor spending and 13,705 lodging room nights. The collaboration between the Palm Beach County Sports Commission and the Village of Wellington aimed to provide a robust sports travel experience, anticipating a significant rise in hotel occupancy and positive economic effects countywide.
Prior to 2017, there was no definitive way for a youth football team to vie for an undisputed National Championship. While league champions were determined, a true National Champion remained elusive. In 2017, the landscape changed with the formation of the Youth Football Championship (YFC) by coaches, parents, and industry leaders. The YFC’s efforts culminated in the establishment of the Battle Youth National Championships, offering the sole platform for youth football teams to compete for a coveted national title.
