BAFA, UNION JACK CLASSIC JOIN FORCES
The British American Football Association (BAFA) has secured its first national competitions title partner since 1992, confirming the Union Jack Classic as headline sponsor of its 2026 domestic season.
From March, all flag and contact competitions will operate under the banner of the BAFA National Leagues powered by Union Jack Classic, marking an expanded partnership first announced in December 2025.
Central to the agreement is the creation of the BAFA x Union Jack Classic Gameday Workforce Fund, designed to subsidise coaching qualifications and officiating courses throughout 2026. The initiative aims to strengthen recruitment, development and retention across the British American football workforce, with reduced costs for key courses and additional continuing professional development opportunities. The fund will also be backdated to November 1st 2025 for selected coaching qualifications.
BAFA will work alongside the British American Football Referees’ Association (BAFRA) to support new officials, while clubs and BUCS institutions are expected to benefit from structured training support focused on long-term sustainability.
Beyond workforce investment, the partnership will deliver enhanced visibility for domestic competitions, including featured games and player spotlights in the build-up to the Union Jack Classic on September 19th 2026 — the UK’s first-ever American college football game — featuring the University of Kansas and Arizona State University.
“Union Jack Classic is proud to support BAFA’s contact and flag communities with resources that benefit players, coaches and referees to ultimately grow the game across all levels,” said event co-founder and COO Thomas Hensey. “It is important to UJC that we support and invest back into the domestic game and together continue to grow the sport we all play and love.”
BAFA members, including BUCS participants, will also gain access to exclusive ticket options for the fixture.
“Our partnership with Union Jack Classic really highlights the importance of collaboration in providing meaningful and tangible benefits for the British American football community,” BAFA CEO Chad Ehlertsen added. “Looking at the future of flag and contact American football in the UK, it’s essential that we develop and protect the sport’s workforce of coaches and officials.”
The announcement comes amid continued growth for the sport domestically, with more than 150 affiliated clubs and flag football set for its Olympic debut in Los Angeles in 2028.