Showtime Flag Football League

The Showtime Flag Football League (formerly SFFL Showtime), established on July 7, 2023, is Nigeria's largest co-ed professional flag football league. The league follows a 7-on-7 co-ed format, requiring each team to field at least three female players on every play.

Founded by Azeez Amida in September 2023, the league is structured as a round-robin competition, with the top six teams advancing to the playoffs and ultimately competing for a place in the championship game, The Showtime Bowl. The winner of the Bowl receives a cash prize, a championship trophy, and custom player rings. The league is led by CEO Manal Nassar.

History

The Showtime Flag Football League debuted with the SFFL All-Star Games on September 17, 2023, in Lagos, Nigeria. The league initially launched with 10 teams but has since restructured to 8 teams, each featuring a 30-player roster. All matches are played at the Showtime Arena, Meadow Hall, Lekki Lagos, Lekki, which serves as the league's official venue. Showtime Flag Football League was founded to create an engaging and competitive sporting environment, showcasing athletes between 18 and 55 years old.

The SFFL Showtime league underwent a significant transformation in July 2024, rebranding to Showtime Flag and officially transitioning to a fully professional structure. This development, led by League Commissioner Adebare Adejumo and founded by Azeez Amida, shifted the league from its semi-professional roots to become a professional entity aimed at creating viable career paths for flag football athletes in Nigeria. The rebranding from SFFL Showtime to Showtime Flag on July 12, 2024, marked a shift to a professional model.

The league expanded beyond Lagos for the first time, with teams like Ogun Horns and Delta Braves participating in the 2024 season.

League format

Showtime Flag Football League plays under a modified version of International Federation of American Football (IFAF) rules. The competition follows a structured three-stage format:

Showtime Flag Football League also features affiliate and guest teams that participate in various stages of competition.

Showtime Arena

Showtime Flag Football League matches are hosted at Showtime Arena, located within, Meadow Hall School, Lekki Lagos.

Teams

The league currently features eight teams, all based in Lagos:

Club City Stadium Capacity
Lagos Athletics Lagos Showtime Arena, Meadow Hall, Lekki Lagos
Ikan Sports Lagos Showtime Arena, Meadow Hall, Lekki Lagos
Green Backs Lagos Showtime Arena, Meadow Hall, Lekki Lagos
Lagos Raptors Lagos Showtime Arena, Meadow Hall, Lekki Lagos
Lagos Panthers Lagos Showtime Arena, Meadow Hall, Lekki Lagos
Alphas Lagos Showtime Arena, Meadow Hall, Lekki Lagos
Warriors Lagos Showtime Arena, Meadow Hall, Lekki Lagos
Off-season Lagos Showtime Arena, Meadow Hall, Lekki Lagos

Media coverage

Showtime Flag Football League has received coverage from local and international media platforms.

Future plans

Showtime Flag Football League has indicated plans for potential national expansion and youth development programs to support the growth of flag football in Nigeria. Showtime Flag Football League continues to operate as a competitive co-ed flag football league, promoting the sport within Nigeria.

References

  1. ↑ "SFFL Showtime league X debuts in Lagos". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. 14 September 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  2. ↑ Nwachukwu, Iheanyi (15 July 2024). "Showtime Flag transition to professional league". BusinessDay. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
  3. ↑ "SFFL Showtime Rebrands to Showtime Flag, Announces Transition to Professional League". This Day. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  4. ↑ "SFFL Showtime League: Nigeria's Premier Coed Football Extravaganza Takes Center Stage - Nigeria Sports News". 16 November 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  5. ↑ Ochicha, Lovette (17 December 2024). "SHOWTIME BOWL SERIES: Flag Football CEO Counts Blessings Of First Professional League, Espies Great Future For Nigeria". Sports247 Nigeria. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
  6. ↑ Fasetire, Sam O'Femi (23 March 2026). "Showtime Flag Football President Amida Azeez Says Expanded League Will Improve All Players". Sports247 Nigeria. Retrieved 4 June 2026.
  7. ↑ Kolawole, Hashim (10 October 2023). "SFFL Showtime Coed Flag Football League Raises The Bar For Youth Engagement Through Sports | Sports247 Nigeria". Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  8. ↑ Ogundiya, Charles (15 September 2023). "All-Star Game To Herald SFFL Showtime League X". New Telegraph. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  9. ↑ Ogundiya, Charles (15 September 2023). "All-Star Game To Herald SFFL Showtime League X". New Telegraph. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  10. ↑ Agberebi, James (9 October 2023). "Organisers seek to set high standard at SFFL Showtime Coed Flag Football League". Complete Sports. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  11. ↑ "SFFL Showtime Rebrands to Showtime Flag, Announces Transition to Professional League". This Day. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  12. ↑ Rapheal (14 July 2024). "SFFL Showtime rebrands to Showtime Flag, transitions to". The Sun. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  13. ↑ Fasetire, Sam O'Femi (23 March 2026). "Showtime Flag Football President Amida Azeez Says Expanded League Will Improve All Players". Sports247 Nigeria. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  14. ↑ Agberebi, James (9 October 2023). "Organisers seek to set high standard at SFFL Showtime Coed Flag Football League". Complete Sports. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  15. ↑ "N20M Up For Grabs As Showtime Flag Unveils 2024 Showtime Bowl Series". Leadership. 25 August 2024. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
  16. ↑ Amosu, Adeboye (15 September 2023). "N8m Up For Grabs In Maiden Edition Of Flag Football League". Complete Sports. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  17. ↑ "SFFL Showtime League Debuts Sept 24 in Lagos - THISDAYLIVE". This Day. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  18. ↑ "Showtime Flag Football Association Seeks NSC's Support Ahead of Olympics". 13 February 2025. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
  19. ↑ Ochicha, Lovette (18 December 2024). "Showtime Flag Football CEO Manal Nassar Rates 2024 Season High, Hints At Bigger Plans For 2025". Sports247 Nigeria. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
  20. ↑ "Showtime Flag Football Association Seeks NSC's Support Ahead of Olympics". 13 February 2025. Retrieved 27 February 2025.