League Shifts to Showcase Format for 2025 Season

JACKSONSONVILLE, FL -- The National Gridiron League (NGL) announced today a major format shift for its upcoming 2025 season, transitioning from a traditional full-season schedule to a streamlined "showcase-style" format. This change comes as a strategic response to slower-than-expected season ticket sales and sponsorship commitments during the first half of the year.

Instead of hosting individual home games across the league’s 8 markets, the NGL will now organize four league-wide showcase events, each held at a centralized location. These weekend events will feature four games over Saturday and Sunday, with every NGL team participating in one game per event. Each team will compete in four total games over the course of the showcase series.

League Commissioner Joe McClendon III shared that the new structure is designed to preserve the quality and competitiveness of the league while significantly reducing operational costs.

“This pivot allows us to continue delivering an elite football experience to our fans while realigning our financial and logistical resources,” McClendon said. “By consolidating our operations into showcase weekends, we can highlight the league’s talent in a concentrated format that drives excitement and media exposure. Most importantly, this decision ensures that the league remains on a strong path to long-term growth as we look toward a full return in 2026.”

The NGL plans to announce the dates and locations of each showcase event in the coming weeks. Each event will be marketed as a weekend celebration of football, featuring multiple games, fan engagement zones, and opportunities for sponsors to connect with a broader national audience in a single setting.

Despite the challenges in early ticket and sponsor sales, the NGL remains committed to building a sustainable spring football model. The league’s leadership views this season as an important step in its evolution and believes the showcase concept will generate renewed interest, visibility, and momentum heading into 2026.

For continued updates on the showcase schedule and ticket availability, fans are encouraged to visit www.gongl.com and follow the league on social media.