The NIRSA Championship Series is excited to announce an updated host site application timeline for 2025–2026 regional soccer, flag football, and basketball tournaments. These changes provide greater flexibility for potential hosts and align with NIRSA’s goal of offering participants, student officials, and volunteer staff with meaningful opportunities for growth.

Applications for 2025 regional host sites will open Sunday, December 1, 2024 and close on Saturday, February 1, 2025. A public announcement about Fall 2025 host sites will take place at the 2025 NIRSA Conference, which is happening in Orlando, FL from April 23–26.

Why are we changing the timeline?

The main reason we’re adjusting the host site recruitment timeline is to offer potential hosts more time for essential planning and preparation (i.e. more time to finalize budgets, organize logistics, and promote the tournament to teams and volunteers). This adjustment also allows host sites additional time to engage potential sponsors and connect with Convention and Visitor Bureaus (CVBs) to secure funding. With this extended timeline, NIRSA can better promote the tournaments and communicate key details to participants. This change reflects the NIRSA Championship Series’ commitment to improving the tournament experience by ensuring events are well-organized, fully supported, and enriching for everyone involved.

NIRSA highlighted the significance of hosting tournaments in a recent NIRSA News article. Hosting is more than just organizing games. It’s about creating an environment for participants to develop leadership skills, teamwork, and community spirit. These events are integral to NIRSA’s mission of empowering students and professionals alike to succeed both on and off the field.

See also: Celebrating the legacy and future of regional championships

The updated regional host site application timeline allows for more deliberate planning and ensures that the experiences of every player, official, and staff member are aligned with NIRSA’s vision of fostering personal and professional growth. We’re eager to see which institutions step forward to host in 2025, continuing the tradition of excellence the NIRSA Championship Series is known for!

Director of National Sport Programs at  | NIRSA Profile

Nicole Jackson is currently the Director of National Sport Programs at NIRSA.