American Youth Football Southeast Regional tournament returning to Ocala

The American Youth Football Southeast Regional will return to the city of Ocala for the first time in nearly a decade.

For the first time since 2013, the tournament will take place in Ocala, from November 18 to November 21, at the Ocala Rotary Sportsplex. The facility is located at 5220 SE Maricamp Road. 

The tournament will include over 40 youth football teams from the southeast region of the United States. In addition to football, a cheerleading competition will be held within the weekend.

The American Youth Football organization is asking for $11,500 in tourism grant funding from the county. The matter will be presented to the Marion County Tourist Development Council during its regular meeting on Thursday, July 22. 

Tournament organizers believe the event will generate over $1.1 million in sales from an estimated attendance of 1,500 people and a minimum total occupancy of 900 hotel rooms over multiple days. 

In 2013, the tournament was awarded $12,500 by Marion County. 

If the Marion County Tourist Development Council approves the grant, its recommendation will be given to the Marion County Board of County Commissioners. 

The Marion County Tourist Development Council makes recommendations that are either accepted, or rejected, by the Marion County Board of County Commissioners.

The council meets at 10 a.m. at the Visitors and Convention Bureau, which is located at 109 W. Silver Springs Boulevard, on the following Thursdays through the end of the year: July 22, August 26, September 23, October 28, and November 18, 2021.