NAPLES, Fla. – Paradise Coast Sports Complex (PCSC) hosted the 2023 American Youth Football (AYF) National Championships from Dec. 3-8, with more than 230 games played during the six days. The event crowned national champions in 23 different divisions, with teams coming from as far away as Oahu, Hawaii. The nation’s largest youth football event was moved to Florida’s Paradise Coast after a multi-year stint in Kissimmee, Fla.
The event stretched the parameters of Paradise Coast Sports Complex to capacity, as all nine available fields were in play throughout the tournament. Paradise Coast officials reported an estimated 30,000+ in foot traffic during the six days of the tournament, with more than 5,000 attendees daily between players, coaches, and spectators, resulting in a projected multimillion-dollar economic impact for Collier County.
“We are thrilled with the success of the AYF National Championships in its first year at Paradise Coast Sports Complex,” said PCSC general manager Adrian Moses. “Hosting these young, aspiring athletes that competed in front of their families and friends during the week is a big lift for our team, and we are proud to deliver a best-in-class venue for our guests once again.”
AYF comprises eight regions: Desert Mountain, Big West, Midwest, Southwest, Big East, Atlantic, New England, and Southeast. Each hosts a regional tournament in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving weekend to qualify for the National Championships. “The 2023 National Championships featured 180 teams from 31 states competing for 23 national championships at this world-class facility,” said Craig Karahuta, AYF vice president of football and cheer operations. “The week was amazing; the fields, staff, and the atmosphere exceeded our expectations.”
The tournament featured teams from all over the country, with athletes from ages eight to 14. The event also had a variety of activities for athletes and spectators alike, numerous food trucks, a parade of champions, and a special awards ceremony.
