By Lu Xinyan

The launch ceremony for the "Zhenkai Cup" 2026 Ningbo Flag Football Open (NBFO) was held on May 28th in Zhenhai, Ningbo.

This year's tournament has attracted over 800 players from 60 teams representing 29 countries and regions, marking a significant milestone for the home-grown sports event as it expands globally.

The tournament features three divisions: Adult Men's, Adult Women's, and the Youth U-Series. Competitors include national teams from China, Russia, the Philippines, Spain, Malaysia, Thailand, South Korea, the UAE, Mexico, Australia, and Fiji.

The adult matches will be hosted at Eastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo, while the youth matches will take place at Ningbo University of Technology.

Originally established as a locally developed sports event, the NBFO was officially branded in 2024 following earlier editions: the Ningbo Coastal Sports Carnival Flag Football Elite Tournament in 2022 and the Fenghua Cross-Strait Flag Football Open in 2023. The Chinese Rugby Football Association (CRFA) has designated the NBFO as a high-level international club tournament and a key initiative linking sport with cultural and tourism development.

This year's event has received official promotional support and endorsement from the International Federation of American Football (IFAF). Ningbo has additionally been named an "Editor's Choice Tournament Destination" by Flag Football Network (FFN), a global flag football media outlet, in recognition of its hosting capabilities.

At the launch ceremony, organizers announced the NBFO Overseas Series, with planned editions in Thailand and Spain. It marks the first time the tournament will be staged outside China, representing a significant step in the international expansion of a Chinese-developed flag football tournament.

Looking ahead, organizers aim to position the NBFO as a leading global club-level flag football tournament by expanding international participation, improving event organization, and building partnerships with clubs worldwide.

Held across local universities, the tournament also gives students direct access to international-level competition. Local authorities say the event is expected to support youth engagement in sport, boost cultural and leisure consumption, and contribute to Ningbo's broader efforts to enhance urban vitality and cultural influence.