State Flag Football Tournament

What is The State Flag Football Tournament?

The State Flag Football Tournament is one of 13 state sports competitions. It is the championship-level competition for those participating in flag football and Unified flag football. The State Flag Football Tournament is a two-day event usually held the first weekend of November in Peoria. The State Flag Football Tournament typically includes 250 athletes, 60 coaches and 50 volunteers. State Flag Football is hosted at the Louisville Slugger Sports Complex in Peoria.

Additional activities include Opening Ceremony, dinner and an athlete activity on Saturday night, families registration, and souvenir sales. The Louisville Slugger Sports Complex hosts the tournament. Flag football and Unified flag football became an official Special Olympics Illinois sport in 2018.

Spectators are encouraged to attend this premiere state tournament to cheer on these extraordinary athletes.

Competition Information

The State Flag Football Tournament is a stand-alone competition and serves as a showcase for our flag football athletes to demonstrate the skills they have learned throughout the year.

Facility Information

Louisville Slugger Sports Complex has three fields reserved for the tournament.

Event Details

All times listed below are tentative and subject to change once event specific schedules are determined.  For a final schedule, please check the supporting documents section below.

Registration – 7:30 AM

Opening Ceremony – 8:15 AM

Competition begins – 9:00 AM

Additional activities include Opening Ceremony, families registration, and souvenir sales. Special Olympics Illinois recommends spectators bring a bagged chair to ensure seating.

Volunteer Information

If you would like to view volunteer opportunities for the 2023 State Flag Football Tournament please click the button below!

Volunteer Opportunities

Opening Ceremony

The Opening Ceremony will take place at 8:15 AM at the Louisville Slugger Sports Complex on Saturday morning. 

Souvenirs

All items are available by on-line pre-order only. The order deadline is Wednesday, October 18^th at 8:00am. Use this link to connect to State Flag Football Tournament merchandise options: 

https://orders.minervapromotions.com/soill_state_flag_football/shop/home

Souvenir items are offered by Minerva Promotions and a percentage of sales are given to Special Olympics Illinois.

Families

Families play an important role in the accomplishments of our athletes and we appreciate that you’re here at the event cheering them on! Please stop by family registration to receive a special item as well as your entry ticket for our free families raffle. Don’t forget to wear your credentials. If you don’t have credentials, you can order them at the event for FREE.

Saturday, 8:30 AM – 2:00 PM

Victory Dance

Please check back closer to the event for more information.

Text Alerts and Event status Updates

Please check back closer to the event for more information.

Awards

Awards will be given when each division is complete.

Concessions

Lunch, water and concessions will be provided both days. Dinner will be provided on Saturday.

Supporting Documents

2023 Flag Football Souvenir Flyer

To see a complete list of all state championship competitions, click here.

To find out more information about the Knights of Columbus, which supports Special Olympics Illinois throughout the year, click here.

State Flag Football Sponsor:

Who We Are

Special Olympics Illinois is a global organization that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sport, every day around the world. Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit organization offering year-round training and competition in 18 sports for more than 21,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and 9,000 Young Athletes ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics transforms the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, allowing them to realize their full potential in sports and in life. Special Olympics programs enhance physical fitness, motor skills, self-confidence, social skills and encourage family and community support.

COVID Procedures

Unless a venue has specific COVID protocols in place, Special Olympics Illinois is following Illinois Department of Public Health and CDC COVID protocols and guidelines. Please refer to event specific information or website page (if applicable) to determine if the venue has any specific COVID protocols.

Special Olympics Illinois is committed to providing the best athlete, volunteer, coach and supporter environment possible. While we are excited to resume in-person events, the health and well-being of our constituents remains our top priority. All of our in person events follow the COVID-19 recommended IDPH and CDC guidelines. 

Please review the COVID High-Risk fact sheet for more information:

https://www.soill.org/wp-content/uploads/2-High-Risk-Fact-Sheet-7.9.20.pdf