The Beach Football League (BFL), recognized as the first professional tackle football league played on sand, is bringing its dynamic, high-energy format to California with the Santa Cruz Beach Classic. This two-day coastal event will take place May 16–17, 2026, at the well-known Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.

Festivities begin on Saturday, May 16, with a complimentary BFL Next Kids Camp from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Young participants will have the opportunity to train on the sand alongside NFL and BFL players. The evening will conclude with a drone light show over the Boardwalk at 9:00 PM, offering an engaging experience for families.

The main attraction is set for Sunday, May 17, featuring a marquee full-contact exhibition game between the Santa Monica Waves and the Santa Cruz Tsunamis. The teams will be guided by celebrity head coaches and former NFL stars Marshawn Lynch and DeShaun Foster. Played directly on the sand with the Boardwalk as a scenic backdrop, the matchup promises a fast-moving and physically intense style of football that differs from traditional formats. The game is scheduled from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

The weekend will also include appearances by former San Francisco 49ers standout Jason Verrett, Donald Strickland, and other surprise NFL guests, contributing to a lively and star-filled environment.

The BFL was established by former NFL linebacker and two-time Super Bowl champion Tully Banta-Cain, with the goal of reshaping football by moving it to the beach and creating a more engaging and accessible version of the sport.

“This event captures what the BFL represents—top-tier athletes, great music, and an energetic beach setting all coming together,” said Banta-Cain. “It’s not just a game; it’s an experience designed for the entire community.”

Event Highlights:

Event Information:
What: BFL Santa Cruz Beach Classic
When: Saturday, May 16 & Sunday, May 17, 2026
Saturday: Kids Camp (5:00–7:00 PM) | Drone Show (9:00 PM)
Sunday: Main Event (3:00–5:00 PM)
Where: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz, CA
Admission: Free entry, with premium seating options available

Click here to know more.

DICK'S Sporting Goods has officially unveiled Cookie Jar & A Dream Studios, a new internal content and production studio focused on delivering compelling, human-driven stories through the lens of sports.

Built on the idea that sports can transform lives and foster community, Cookie Jar & A Dream Studios seeks to create storytelling that places sports at the center of culture. The studio aims to capture the perseverance, victories, and challenges of athletes, producing emotionally impactful content that resonates long after the game ends. At its heart, the studio views sports not merely as competition but as universal tales of hope, resilience, and connection.

Although the studio is newly launched, DICK'S Sporting Goods has been cultivating its presence in sports storytelling for more than a decade. In 2014, through its Foundation, the company released its first feature documentary, We Could Be King, which earned the Emmy Award for Outstanding Sports Documentary—an exceptional feat for a consumer brand.

This spring, the company secured a second Sports Emmy, the first for Cookie Jar & A Dream Studios, with The Turnaround, a film highlighting Philadelphia Phillies superfan Jon McCann, whose support helped inspire a pivotal 2023 moment for shortstop Trea Turner and contributed to a remarkable team comeback. Over the past ten years, DICK'S has built an impressive library, including five feature-length films and ten short-form or episodic documentaries, with more projects in the pipeline.

“Sports have the power to change lives,” said Mark Rooks, VP of Creative, Entertainment & Sponsorships at DICK'S Sporting Goods. “Through our work, we’ve witnessed the incredible journeys of those who overcome obstacles, achieve greatness, and experience defeat. There are countless inspiring human stories waiting to be told, and we’re thrilled to highlight how individuals, teams, and communities are shaping sports, connecting people, and building stronger communities.”

The studio’s launch coincides with the premiere of Big Dreams: The Little League World Series 2024, a new documentary exploring the significance and excitement of one of America’s most cherished youth sports events. The film takes audiences to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, home of the tournament for nearly 80 years, capturing the unforgettable triumphs, setbacks, and teamwork of Little League athletes worldwide. Produced in partnership with Imagine Entertainment and MLB Studios, the documentary will air on ESPN on August 12 at 9:30 p.m. ET.

“Big Dreams exemplifies the type of projects Cookie Jar & A Dream Studios aspires to create,” said Rebecca Covington, Sr. Director, Creative Production at DICK'S Sporting Goods. “Sharing these powerful sports moments with fans motivates our team, and we’re excited about the many remarkable stories that will come to the forefront in the years ahead.”

The studio’s name, Cookie Jar & A Dream, pays tribute to the origins of DICK'S Sporting Goods. In 1948, 18-year-old Dick Stack borrowed $300 from his grandmother—her savings stored in a cookie jar—to launch a small bait-and-tackle shop in Binghamton, New York. By the late 1970s, Stack had expanded the store’s offerings to include much of what DICK'S Sporting Goods carries today. This humble beginning continues to inspire the studio’s mission to amplify the stories at the heart of sports.