Palm Beach County Ready to Host Flag Football

Palm Beach County is hosting the Sandlot 7v7-Pro-Am Challenge, March 20-22, 2026, the only youth 7v7 football tournament where teams are coached, mentored or sponsored by an NFL player. Now in its fifth year, Sandlot brings together the past, present and future of football in a high-energy, three-day event made possible through the strategic support of the NFL Players Association (NFLPA).

More than 120 teams from across the country are scheduled to take the field at Wellington’s Village Park Athletics Complex with at least 30 pros in attendance as coaches or mentors. Boys’ teams, ages 8U to 18U, will battle for the title of Sandlot champions. This year will feature the first-ever sanctioned Sandlot Girls Flag Tournament, with 12 elite high school teams showcasing the future of flag football.

“You will not find another tournament where NFL pros are more invested in youth development. Every year, dozens of players come through Sandlot to coach and watch these kids compete. They’re providing the knowledge and experience for young athletes to succeed on and off the field,” said Dexter Santos, Sandlot co-founder and NFLPA Vice President of Player Services. “We’re grateful to the Village of Wellington and the Palm Beach County Sports Commission for hosting Sandlot in a region that is home to generations of premier football talent.”

Built on the passion of NFL players to support the next generation of athletes, Sandlot is where league icons continue their legacy by training tomorrow’s football greats. Sandlot coaches and mentors include Lamar Jackson, Jared Verse and Rasheed Walker, Hall of Famers Devin Hester and Willie Roaf, and legends Michael Vick, Cam Newton, Anquan Boldin and Champ Bailey.

The milestone 2026 event will feature a Friday night Tailgate celebration that is open to the public with food, vendors, music, a Madden tournament, backyard games and more. Sandlot offers free skills clinics, including the Big Man Gauntlet lineman challenge, Sandlot Combine, HangTime with former NFL punters Johnny and Tommy Townsend and a Girls Flag Clinic.

Sandlot is proud to be sponsored by DNA Vibe, EA Sports, Forever Dreamers, Jersey Mike’s, KOMPETE, the NFL Players Association and Team Elam.

The public is invited to attend Sandlot at the Village Park Athletics Complex, Friday, March 20, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday, March 21, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, March 22, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Follow @sandlot7v7 for event updates.

TOURNAMENT FEATURES
The Sandlot 7v7 Pro-Am Challenge is more than 7v7, we offer skills clinics, girls flag and activities for the entire community. The tournament features:

• Girls Flag Showcase - Hosted by pro trainers and NFL veterans, providing female athletes with high-level coaching and competition. 2026 will feature Sandlot’s first-ever sanctioned Girls Flag tournament featuring 8-12 girl’s teams.

• Big Man Gauntlet - Position training for offensive and defensive linemen led by current and former NFL pros. A free skills camp open to individuals who are not part of a 7v7 team.

• Sandlot Combine - Pro-style testing and skills assessment featuring NFL trainers.

• HangTime - Punting and kicking clinic led by University of Florida alumni and NFL veterans Johnny and Tommy Townsend.

• Friday Night Cookout – The unofficial kickoff of Sandlot 7v7. A celebratory, inspirational night featuring a Madden tournament, family activities, vendors, food, early registration and live sessions with NFL legends.

SANDLOT ATTENDEES
Notable current and former NFL players who have attended, coached teams or participated in Sandlot 7v7 include:

Active Players
• Lamar Jackson - Baltimore Ravens QB
• Teddy Bridgewater - QB Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Florida native
• Mike Evans - WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Bucky Irving - RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Rachaad White - RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Rasheed Walker - OT, Green Bay Packers

NFL Legends & Hall of Famers
• Cam Newton - QB, 2015 NFL MVP
• Anquan Boldin - WR, 2025 Hall of Fame semifinalist
• Devin Hester – KR/PR, 11 seasons, NFL's all-time leader in return TDs, 2024 Hall of Fame
• Willie Roaf - OT, 2012 Hall of Fame
• Brian Mitchell - RB/KR, No. 2 all-time all-purpose yardage
• Dexter Jackson - S, Super Bowl MVP
• Torrey Smith - WR, 2x Super Bowl champion
• LeGarrette Blount - RB, 3x Super Bowl Champion
• George Hegamin - OL, Super Bowl champion
• Tommy Townsend - P, Kansas City Chiefs

NFL Veterans
• DeMario Davis - LB, New Orleans Saints
• Abe Elam – S, 7 seasons, T.E.A.M. Elam Foundation, Sandlot co-founder
• Thomas Davis - LB, 15 seasons, 2014 Walter Payton Man of the Year
• Samari Rolle - CB, 12 seasons
• Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie - CB, 11 seasons
• Demetric Evans – DE, 9 seasons
• Adam "Pac-Man" Jones - CB/KR, 12 seasons
• David Irons – DB, 2 seasons
• Johnny Townsend - P, 3 seasons, Oakland Raiders
• Glenn Holt - WR, 4 seasons, Cincinnati Bengals

For more information:

Lee Bernstein l_jbernstein@outlook.com

Website: www.7v7unlimited.com
• Instagram: @Sandlot7v7 • Facebook: Sandlot7v7 • TikTok: @sandlot7v7