The Gridiron Nations Championship (GNC) will return in 2026 with Canada, Mexico, and Panama scheduled to compete from December 12 to 19 in Panama City.
“Panama is proud to host GNC Week in 2026 and welcome top national teams to Panama City,” said Asociación de Football Americano de Panamá (AFFP) president Luis Navas in a statement.
“This is a major opportunity for our federation, our athletes and our fans to showcase Panama as a host for international tackle football. We are very pleased this announcement is being made early, because it gives all of us time to prepare properly and to build strong partnerships.”
The Gridiron Nations Championship is an annual global tackle football platform created to provide consistent, high-level intercontinental competition for national teams. It is intended to support the long-term development of the world senior amateur game.
In 2025, Canadian Senior Men’s National Team defeated Germany by a score of 25-10 to capture the inaugural Gridiron Nations Championship.
“We’re excited to see the GNC return and to compete for a championship in Panama City. Last year, our players embraced the challenge of spending the entire GNC on the road in Europe, and they delivered against quality opposition in Italy and Germany,” said Canadian head coach and general manager Jesse Maddox.
“We also saw the level with Mexico in December, and that overtime game in Mexico City (a 41-34 Mexico win) showed exactly what international tackle football can be. This time, the games count toward a title, raising the standard for everyone. This is an important next step in building an annual platform for international tackle football.”
This year’s event will be hosted at Estadio Emilio Royo in Panama City.
“Mexico is pleased to be part of the 2026 Gridiron Nations Championship in Panama City,” said Federación Mexicana de Futbol Americano (FMFA) president Cesar Barrera.
“Our game against Canada in Mexico City showed the quality, intensity and passion that exists in international tackle football, and we are excited that this time the competition will be played in a championship format, with the silverware on the line. Events like this help strengthen elite tackle football and create a bigger stage for our national teams.”
