Broward Education Foundation announces it will present the Broward County National High School Football Showcase taking place from August 21 through August 23

Fort Lauderdale, Florida – In just a matter of days, the lights will shine even brighter on Broward County football. The Broward Education Foundation is once again stepping into the national spotlight as it prepares to host the fourth annual Broward County National High School Football Showcase, a three-day event that promises high-caliber matchups, community pride, and national recognition for South Florida’s deep pool of athletic talent.

From August 21 through August 23, some of the country’s most elite high school programs will collide across Greater Fort Lauderdale. Eight Florida teams, including several of Broward’s biggest football powerhouses, will square off against nationally ranked opponents from Georgia, Pennsylvania, California, Maryland, and Utah. The showcase is widely regarded as one of the most competitive gatherings in high school sports, and this year’s lineup is shaping up to be the most impressive yet.

With four teams ranked in the top 10 nationwide and seven in the top 25, the stakes are as high as ever. Football fans won’t just be able to watch in person—seven of the eight games will be televised or streamed, with ESPN networks broadcasting three headline contests to viewers across the country. For student-athletes, coaches, and recruiters, the showcase has become a can’t-miss moment on the high school football calendar.

Read also: Barrage of bullets fired at Pompano Beach home sparks police investigation and search for suspects

“South Florida—especially Broward County—continues to be the most heavily recruited region in the country, with scouts from the SEC, ACC, and top national programs zeroed in on our caliber of talent,” said Shawn Cerra, Director and Co-Founder of the showcase. “We’ve invested a great deal of effort into cultivating this event, and we look forward to welcoming players and their families from across the nation to Greater Fort Lauderdale.”

The showcase is not only about football glory—it also carries an economic weight. Organizers estimate that the 2025 event will generate more than $3 million in local economic impact. Between visiting athletes, their families, and traveling fans, hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues in the Fort Lauderdale area are preparing for a major boost. For Broward County, the event brings together the passion of sports with tangible benefits for the broader community.

For the Broward Education Foundation, the showcase has become a signature achievement. It was the inspiration behind the foundation’s decision to launch a dedicated athletic arm, making it the only education foundation in the country to formally take such a step. The move highlights just how central athletics have become in shaping opportunities and visibility for students in the region.

James A. Knapp, President and CEO of Broward Education Foundation, pointed to last year’s national audience as proof of the showcase’s rising influence. “Last year, our live broadcast of the Bishop Gorman at St. Thomas Aquinas game, which featured the number one ranked team, drew more than 675,000 viewers and was the most watched high school football game on ESPN since 2011,” Knapp said.

The 2025 schedule features a balance of local rivalries and high-stakes cross-state matchups. Piper High will take on Georgia’s Peachtree Ridge, while West Broward will face Utah’s Corner Canyon. Nationally ranked St. Thomas Aquinas, one of Florida’s perennial powerhouses, is slated to clash with California’s Mater Dei, a game already generating buzz as one of the season’s marquee showdowns. Meanwhile, Chaminade Madonna will meet St. Frances Academy of Maryland in another ESPN-televised matchup that could carry national implications.

Tickets for the showcase are set at $15 for general admission and are available online. Given that last year’s games sold out in advance, organizers are urging fans not to wait until the last minute. With the blend of local pride and national exposure, it’s expected that attendance will be strong throughout the three days.

Read also: Broward Education Foundation invites community members to submit nominations for 2025 Hall of Fame awards before August 29

Beyond the on-field action, the showcase also reflects Broward County’s commitment to hospitality. Thanks to the support of community sponsors, all 16 teams will be provided with a complimentary two-night hotel stay, three daily meals, charter bus transportation, and tickets to a local attraction. Players will also be outfitted with Adidas gear and treated to an all-expenses outing at Dave & Buster’s, making the experience as memorable off the field as it will be between the goalposts.

Knapp emphasized the deeper purpose behind the event. “We know that to be the best, you have to play the best and it’s our honor to shine a spotlight on these incredible local athletes who get a once in a lifetime opportunity to showcase their talent in front of a national audience.”

As the opening kickoff approaches, anticipation is mounting. For the athletes, the showcase is a chance to test themselves against some of the best competition in the nation while gaining exposure to college recruiters and fans across the country. For families and communities, it is a celebration of the role football plays in shaping opportunities for young people. For Broward County, it is another reminder of the region’s status as a football hotbed, where Friday night lights often pave the way to Saturday and Sunday glory.

The event would not be possible without strong backing from sponsors, with Adidas leading the list of major supporters this year. Their contributions, along with the involvement of other community partners, ensure that the showcase remains not only a competition but also an experience that supports student-athletes on and off the field.

With its mix of local pride, national reach, and economic benefits, the Broward County National High School Football Showcase has cemented itself as one of the most anticipated high school football weekends in America. When teams take the field August 21 through 23, the spotlight will once again fall on Broward County—and the entire country will be watching.