While FIFA World Cup games take place across North America in 2026, including , Bedford will host the championship games for the Global Pro Flag Football League.
Proponents of the move said it could drive sports fans visiting from around the world to Bedford and bring in new revenue to the city of just under 50,000.
Organizers behind the Global Pro Flag Football League want to bring professional men and women鈥檚 flag football to new audiences. The league鈥檚 commissioner is Marjorie Herrera Lewis, an author and former Dallas Cowboys beat reporter.
鈥淲e want to work very closely with the community to get a lot of exposure for Bedford and a lot of foot traffic,鈥� she told 四虎影院. 鈥淸That鈥檚] people going into restaurants, staying in hotels and really getting a feel for what we think is just a wonderful, family-friendly city.鈥�
Flag football will be a new addition to the Olympics in 2028. Herrera Lewis anticipates some of the athletes who play in Bedford may also compete in Los Angeles.
Bedford City Council member Joy Donovan Brandon worked closely with Herrera Lewis to bring the games to town. She helped give league representatives a tour of Pennington Field, the Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District facility slated to host the games next summer.
鈥淭hey were so impressed with the facilities, the press box, the beauty of the stadium,鈥� Donovan Brandon told 四虎影院. 鈥淎nd they saw the parking lot, which is quite big.鈥�
Flag football features some important distinctions from tackle football, including a .
鈥淭he games are different than what people are used to,鈥� Donovan Brandon said. 鈥淭hey run continuously. It's a seven-person team. They're shorter, so you can knock out a few games in a day.鈥�
Donovan Brandon also highlighted the chance for women to compete in the sport.
鈥淚 know locally, Texas Wesleyan University just there. I heard today that 鈥� Donovan Brandon said.
The Global Pro Flag Football League is planning for an All-Star game in the San Francisco Bay Area the same week as the Super Bowl. Their 2026 season concludes in July with men and women鈥檚 semifinals and finals in Bedford.
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