SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (August 5, 2026) – After a highly-successful inaugural event, Fiesta Sports Foundation is bringing back the Fiesta Bowl Copper State Invitational for its second year, assembling eight of Arizona's top high school girls flag football programs for this first-of-its-kind midseason tournament featuring unique inter-conference matchups that are not otherwise played in the regular season.
Building on the success of the first-ever tournament in 2025, this year's field includes reigning state champions from the 5A, 4A and 3A classifications alongside 6A semifinalists and at-large qualifiers. Held Thursday, October 15 and Saturday, October 17 at Arizona State University's Fields at Dorsey, the tournament kicks off at 2:00 p.m. on October 15 with all eight teams playing three pool-play games to determine seeding. The top four teams will advance to a single-elimination playoff, beginning with semifinals at 2:30 p.m. on October 17 followed by a 4:30 p.m. championship game.
The 2026 field features three reigning state champions in 5A Campo Verde (Gilbert), 4A Salpointe Catholic (Tucson) and 3A Scottsdale Christian Academy, along with 6A semifinalists Highland (Gilbert) and Marana and 6A at-large qualifiers Liberty (Peoria), Corona del Sol (Tempe) and Boulder Creek (Anthem).
"When we launched the Fiesta Bowl Copper State Invitational last year, our mission was to provide these student-athletes a tournament experience they don't get anywhere else in the regular season – to build a festival atmosphere around the best competition in Arizona high school girls flag football," said Fiesta Sports Foundation Executive Director & CEO Erik Moses. "As we look to elevate this event in its second year, we're gathering a mix of returning teams and new contenders, showcasing our state's brightest talent and demonstrating how quickly this tournament – and flag football as a whole – is growing in Arizona."
This year's tournament packs plenty of familiar players on the field. Liberty quarterback Marlie Phillips enters as the reigning Copper State Invitational MVP, after throwing five touchdowns to lead her former squad, Hamilton, to a 40-14 win over Highland in last year's inaugural championship. Highland has emerged as a top team in the state and is one of six participating programs – Highland, Campo Verde, Liberty, Corona del Sol, Salpointe Catholic and Scottsdale Christian Academy – featuring one or more members of the 2026 Fiesta Bowl All-State Flag Football team.
The Fiesta Bowl Copper State Invitational is one element of Fiesta Sports Foundation's continued investment in flag football, which has grown from a presenting partnership of the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) girls flag football state championships and the Fiesta Bowl All-State flag football team into a multi-level platform for the sport. Earlier this year, the Foundation launched the inaugural Fiesta Bowl Flag Football Classic presented by Oakley, the first national collegiate flag football tournament featuring NCAA Division I universities, hosted at the same ASU Fields at Dorsey venue where the Copper State Invitational will be played.
For partnership opportunities, please contact Bryce Hancock at BHancock@fiestasports.org.
The growth of the Foundation's investment in girls flag football mirrors the trajectory of the sport nationally. Girls flag football is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country, led by increased participation at the youth and high school level. More than 40 states now offer high school girls flag football programs, with 23 states – including Arizona – sanctioning official state championships. The sport was recently added to the NCAA's Emerging Sports for Women list, a step toward full NCAA championship status, with the sport's Olympic debut set for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
2026 Fiesta Bowl Copper State Invitational schedule (all games at ASU Fields at Dorsey):
Thursday, October 15 (Pool Play)
Boulder Creek vs. Highland (Cactus Field) – 2 p.m.
Corona del Sol vs. Salpointe Catholic (Fiesta Field) – 2 p.m.
Liberty vs. Scottsdale Christian Academy (Cactus Field) – 3:30 p.m.
Marana vs. Campo Verde (Fiesta Field) – 3:30 p.m.
Salpointe Catholic vs. Boulder Creek (Cactus Field) – 5 p.m.
Highland vs. Corona del Sol (Fiesta Field) – 5 p.m.
Campo Verde vs. Liberty (Cactus Field) – 6:30 p.m.
Scottsdale Christian Academy vs. Marana (Fiesta Field) – 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 17 (Pool Play cont.)
Boulder Creek vs. Corona del Sol (Cactus Field) – 10 a.m.
Highland vs. Salpointe Catholic (Fiesta Field) – 10 a.m.
Liberty vs. Marana (Cactus Field) – 11:30 a.m.
Scottsdale Christian Academy vs. Campo Verde (Fiesta Field) – 11:30 a.m.
Saturday, October 17 (Tournament Play)
Consolation Game 1 (Cactus Field) – 1 p.m.
Consolation Game 2 (Fiesta Field) – 1 p.m.
Semifinal 1 (Cactus Field) – 2:30 p.m.
Semifinal 2 (Fiesta Field) – 2:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 17 (Championship Game)
Winner of semifinal 1 vs. Winner of semifinal 2 (Fiesta Field) – 4:30 p.m.
ABOUT FIESTA SPORTS FOUNDATION
Since its inception in 1971, the Fiesta Sports Foundation has been a world-class community organization that executes innovative experiences, drives economic growth and champions charitable causes, inspiring pride in all Arizonans during and outside of college football bowl season. As a nonprofit organization, it is driven by its vision to create unforgettable experiences through world-class sporting events, unparalleled hospitality and life-changing community impact. Through the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Cactus Bowl and its year-round events, including the Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe, corporate partnerships and numerous community events throughout the year, the Foundation provides charitable resources to support Arizona nonprofit organizations that serve communities through a focus on youth, sports and education. Learn more at www.FiestaSportsFoundation.org and @Fiesta_Bowl on X/Instagram.
