Rosemont to host GLASA Wheelchair Footbal August 22-23 FREE

GLASA Chicago Bears Wheelchair Football Team to Host and Compete in

USA Wheelchair Football League Tournament August 22-23 in Rosemont

Seven teams from across the US will compete in 2026

(LAKE FOREST, IL – July 31, 2026) Wheelchair football teams from seven cities will compete in the GLASA USA Wheelchair Football League (USAWFL) Chicago Tournament hosted by Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association (GLASA) August 22-23 at Wintrust Financial Campus in Rosemont, 9701 West Higgins Road. The GLASA Chicago Bears Wheelchair Football Team, a founding member of the League and 2024 & 2025 Chicago Tournament champion, will be among the competitors.

The tournament is open to the public and free to attend. Volunteer opportunities are available HERE or at https://bit.ly/GLASAWCFT26Vol.

“It’s a no-brainer for the Chicago Bears to support GLASA,” said Gustavo Silva, Director of Football Development for the Chicago Bears. “The Chicago Bears and GLASA joined forces to help launch the wheelchair football league and make it accessible for everyone. We are proud to support opportunities that expand access to football and create a more inclusive experience for athletes of all abilities.”

 

Competition begins Saturday, Aug. 22, at 8 a.m., with two fields running concurrently from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Play resumes Sunday, Aug. 23, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The championship match will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, followed by a ceremony to crown the tournament champion. 

 

The GLASA Chicago Bears Wheelchair Football Team will compete against wheelchair football teams from Atlanta, Birmingham, Cleveland, New England, St. Petersburg, and Tampa Bay.

 

In addition to the tournament, GLASA will host a learn-to-play wheelchair football clinic on Sunday, August 23 in partnership with the Chicago Bears, with wheelchairs provided, for all ages and all abilities. Registration for the clinic is available in advance at GLASA.org or by registering on-site. GLASA will also host a Touch-A-Truck experience with local partners, offer kids activities, BBQ, and more. 

 

“We are excited to, once again, host and compete in this tournament,” said GLASA Chicago Bears Wheelchair Football Team head coach Jason Sfire. “Not only is this an opportunity for our hard-working athletes to compete on a national stage with the goal to take home another tournament victory in 2026, but it’s also a chance to put wheelchair football on display for the whole city to see.”

 

This is the fifth year that GLASA is hosting the USAWFL tournament. The USA Wheelchair Football League, a program of Move United, is made possible in part by an NFL-Bob Woodruff Foundation Salute to Service partnership grant as well as local team support by the Chicago Bears.  

 

  

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ABOUT GREAT LAKES ADAPTIVE SPORTS ASSOCIATION (GLASA) 

The Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association is a 501c3 nonprofit organization based in the Chicagoland community for 25+ years. GLASA provides a continuum of 20+ beginner to elite level adaptive sports locally while also providing programming, camps and competitions to serve athletes in more than thirty states. GLASA believes that quality of life should never be limited by a physical or visual disability. More information about GLASA can be found at GLASA.org. 

 

ABOUT THE USA WHEELCHAIR FOOTBALL LEAGUE 
The USA Wheelchair Football League, a program of Move United, is the first of its kind football league for adults with disabilities to reach their highest potential through a competitive, fast-paced, team sport. The USA Wheelchair Football League brings together highly trained coaches with passionate athletes, building skills and inspiring athletes to excel both on and off the field through teamwork, dedication, and resilience. Since 2020, more than 1,000 veterans, athletes with disabilities, coaches and officials have participated in USA Wheelchair Football League programs, growing their skills and love for football. Participation opportunities include learn-to-play clinics, team practice and development opportunities, camps, scrimmages and tournaments that bring together the best adaptive athletes from across the country. Get off the sidelines and get into the game at usawfl.org.