How to Run a Football Event in Colorado

Running a football event in Colorado? Here's how to plan it, pick a format and run it on Colorado Under Par, start to finish.

What it looks like

Amateur football in Colorado is mostly flag football leagues and charity tournaments for youth and adults on park or school fields, mainly in fall and spring.

Formats

Flag Football

No tackling, players wear flag belts and a play ends when a defender pulls the ball carrier's flag.

7v7

Seven players per side, often passing only with no linemen.

Tackle (11v11)

Full contact football with eleven per side and full pads.

Single Elimination

Teams are seeded into a bracket and the loser of each game is out.

Double Elimination

Teams drop to a second bracket after a first loss and are out after two losses.

Round Robin

Teams are split into pools and play every team in their pool.

League

Teams play a weekly game over a season, often on weeknights or Sundays, with standings leading to playoffs and a championship game.

Accuracy Throw Challenge

Players throw through hanging tires or hoops from 10, 15 and 20 yards. Points add up fast, and anyone can try between games.

Pledge Per Touchdown

Supporters pledge a set amount for every touchdown scored in the tournament. Teams play harder knowing each score raises money for the cause.

Game Ball Ceremony

After the final, both teams sign a game ball for the most valuable player. It makes a great photo and a keepsake people treasure.

Build it

In the Organizer Dashboard, click Create event and pick football and your format. Every tab, word and Start here guide then follows your sport.

Registration

In Registration, ask what you need from each entrant, like jersey number. Set a roster minimum and a roster lock date, and split team fees into two to four payments in Invoices if that helps teams sign up.

Results

Open Brackets and schedule. Pick the division, pool play or a bracket, your fields, the first game time and minutes per game. Each of your fields gets its own phone link for scores, and every score updates the bracket for everyone. Tick Post on the event page so players follow it live.

Event day

Teams check in and get field assignments, warm up, play timed games on a set schedule, then playoffs and a championship lead into awards.

Fun ideas

Make it memorable. Three ideas people love. Accuracy Throw Challenge. Players throw through hanging tires or hoops from 10, 15 and 20 yards. Points add up fast, and anyone can try between games. Pledge Per Touchdown. Supporters pledge a set amount for every touchdown scored in the tournament. Teams play harder knowing each score raises money for the cause. Game Ball Ceremony. After the final, both teams sign a game ball for the most valuable player. It makes a great photo and a keepsake people treasure.

Tip

One tip for first-timers: recruit and pay certified referees early, since good officials are the hardest piece to find on tournament weekends. Building is free, then 1% per paid order plus card processing, paid to your own Stripe account. Stuck? Ask Caddie or search Need help in your dashboard. Start at coloradounderpar.com/sell-tickets.