Football fans, mark your calendars! Saturday, May 23, American football is taking center stage in Portugal. The FLAD International Cup is set to ignite Estádio Municipal Mário Wilson in Oeiras with an unforgettable showdown that promises high-octane action, international flair, and a massive boost for the sport’s growing footprint in Europe.
Kickoff for the main event is scheduled for 4:00 PM, but the festivities begin earlier at 2:00 PM with a thrilling flag football event designed especially for kids. Young fans will get hands-on experience with the game they love, learning fundamentals from American coaches in a fun, safe environment while soaking up the pre-game atmosphere. It’s the perfect way to introduce the next generation to the excitement of American football!
The marquee matchup pits the visiting Claremont-McKenna Stags (CMS) against a battle-hardened Portugal Select All-Star team. The Stags will travel from Southern California for a 9-Day tour of Spain and Portugal, and cap off their experience with a competitive game vs. Portugal Select.
These Portuguese stars, drawn from the best talent across the Portuguese American Football League, are hungry to prove themselves on home soil against a disciplined North American squad. This marks only the second time a North American college team has traveled to Portugal for a competitive game — a true milestone moment for the sport in the country.
Portugal is ready. The stands will be packed with passionate local fans and newcomers who have a keen interest in the sport of American Football. Adding to the prestige, representatives from the U.S. Embassy in Lisbon, AmCham Portugal, FLAD, and the Municipality of Oeiras will be in attendance, underscoring the deepening cultural and sporting ties between the two nations.
Pedro Esteves, President of the Portuguese American Football Federation, captured the excitement perfectly:
“American football fans in Portugal are counting down the days to one of the most anticipated events of the year: the FLAD International Cup, taking place on May 23rd at Estádio Municipal Mário Wilson in Oeiras. The excitement surrounding this matchup has been building rapidly, and it’s easy to understand why. The game will feature the visiting CMS Stags, who will face off against a specially assembled All-Star team made up of standout players from the Portuguese American Football League. For the Portuguese football community, this is more than a game — it’s a landmark moment.
This edition of the FLAD International Cup carries historical weight, as it marks only the second time a North American team travels to Portugal to compete. Encounters like this are rare, and they offer a unique opportunity for Portuguese athletes and fans to measure the sport’s evolution in the country against a team from a region where American football is deeply rooted. The CMS Stags arrive with the reputation of a disciplined and competitive squad, but the Portuguese All-Stars are preparing with determination. Their goal is clear: put points on the scoreboard and push for a victory, showing just how far the sport has come in Portugal.
The event will also serve as a celebration of the growing ties between Portugal and the United States through sport. Representatives from the U.S. Embassy in Lisbon, AmCham Portugal, FLAD, and the Municipality of Oeiras will be present to witness the spectacle. Their attendance highlights the cultural and community significance of the game, as well as the collaborative efforts that have helped American football gain visibility and momentum across the country.
Adding to the importance of the occasion, the FLAD International Cup will be the final event of the American football season in Portugal. Fans will gather one last time before the offseason to cheer, celebrate, and enjoy a high-level matchup that blends competition, international exchange, and local pride. With an energized crowd, a historic setting, and two motivated teams, the atmosphere promises to be unforgettable.
On May 23rd, the stage will be set for a clash that symbolizes both the passion of Portuguese fans and the sport’s growing footprint in the country. Whether the All-Stars can topple the Stags remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the excitement surrounding this game is already a victory for American football in Portugal.”
- Date: Saturday, May 23
- Kids Flag Football Event: 2:00 PM
- Main American Football Tackle Game (CMS Stags vs Portugal Select): 4:00 PM
- Venue: Estádio Municipal Mário Wilson, Oeiras
Portugal is calling. The Stags are coming. The All-Stars are locked and loaded.
See you in Oeiras! 🏈🇵🇹🇺🇸
@Coach0z or @globalsportsguy on X/Twitter
