World Youth Football Championships & Hall-iday Winterfest at Tom Benson HOF Stadium

The Pro Football Hall of Fame will be hosting the second annual World Youth Football Championships in Canton. The event will host more than 4,000 athletes on 130 teams from over 30 states in the U.S, plus Canada and Mexico from Dec. 7-16, 2018. The games will take place at the National Youth Football & Sports Complex and Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, two major components of the $889 million Johnson Controls Hall of Fame Village project underway on the campus surrounding the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Additionally, several local high schools will be utilized for games in the younger divisions.

Teams will be represented from seven unweighted divisions (Dec. 12-16), four weighted divisions (Dec. 11-14) and three all-star divisions (Dec. 7-10). Teams qualified for the World Youth Football Championships over recent weeks in regional playoffs across the country. The qualifying rounds were played in Canton, Ohio; Sparta, N.J.; Lincoln, Calif.; Albuquerque, N.M.; Valley Forge, Pa.; Gulf Shores, Ala.; Seattle, Wash.; and Richmond, Va.

The unweighted championship games will take place on Sunday, Dec. 16 culminating the week of championship events at Johnson Controls Hall of Fame Village. Hall of Fame Productions will produce the unweighted youth championship games as well as pre- and post-game coverage. The broadcast team will consist of play-by-play announcer the Hall’s Jamir Howerton as well as color commentator Ray Farmer, former Cleveland Browns GM and NFL Legend. The championship games will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network on Tuesday, Dec. 18 from 8-11 p.m. ET.

“HALL-IDAY” WINTERFEST

On Sunday, Dec. 16, the Pro Football Hall of Fame will transform the Fan Plaza located on the north side of Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium into the first-ever “Hall-iday” Winterfest. Free and open to the public from 1:00 – 6:00 p.m., the winter wonderland will provide guests the opportunity to enjoy family friendly holiday festivities such as photos with Santa in front of a 12-foot Christmas Tree, prize giveaways, as well as local food and beverage vendors. Food trucks set to be on site include: Barrio Tacos; The Slop Truck; Nom Nom Popcorn Company; Peace, Love & Little Donuts; and Tremont Coffee.

Additionally, the 720 Market curated a wintery mix of local market vendors who will be on hand in the “Hall-iday” Gift Gallery. Confirmed vendors include: Tee Etching Glass, Sickles Moon Handmade, Lettuce be the Alternative, Five Blessings, Corrina’s Candles, Seeka Décor, and Bosler Honey Bees.

Every guest who comes through the gates will be entered for a chance to win a prize. Individuals must be present to claim prizes and drawings will take place from 2-4 p.m. Prizes include: Nintendo Switch Mario Tennis Bundle, boys and girls bikes, 60” television, Pro Football Hall of Fame Prize Package, and a Razor Scooter.

Parking is free and conveniently located at McKinley High School. Guests will be able to enter through Symphony Gate at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.

Guests can also enjoy, free of charge, the championship games taking place at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium that afternoon.