First Americans Bowl

The First Americans Bowl is an annual NCAA Division II postseason football game hosted by Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Presented by 7 Clans Talent Agency, it brings together two Division II programs with strong Native ties to celebrate Indigenous heritage, athletic excellence, and community. Proceeds support scholarships, youth sports programs, and community initiatives for Indigenous and minority student-athletes.

The bowl launched during Native American Heritage Month in November 2025. The inaugural game was played December 6, 2025, at Doc Wadley Stadium. The 8-3 Northeastern State RiverHawks faced the 6-5 East Central Tigers, two Nike N7-affiliated programs, in front of 4,977 fans. That was the third-highest attendance for a Division II postseason game last season.

More than a game

2026 First Americans Bowl

December 5th, 2026 | Doc Wadley Stadium | Tahlequah, Oklahoma

Teams TBD

  • “This event is about much more than a football game. It is an opportunity to provide much-needed representation and a platform to celebrate the First Americans whose history and culture remain an important part of who we are today.”

    — John Sisemore, Director of Athletics, Northeastern State University

  • “We believe the First Americans Bowl will become a lasting staple for northeast Oklahoma, bringing schools and people together for years to come.”

    — Bryan Warner, Deputy Principal Chief, Cherokee Nation

  • “The First Americans Bowl is about much more than football. It's an opportunity to recognize the history and contributions of our tribal nations while bringing people together through a game we love."

    — Bryan Warner, Deputy Principal Chief, Cherokee Nation

Invest in impact

The First Americans Bowl puts Indigenous and minority student-athletes in the spotlight and puts proceeds to work. Every game supports scholarships, youth sports programs, and community initiatives, while giving young people role models and a celebration of culture to be proud of.

The 2026 First Americans Bowl kicks off December 5 from Doc Wadley Stadium in Tahlequah, and you can watch it live on FloCollege, the exclusive streaming home of the game. The bowl has entered a partnership with FloSports, so fans everywhere can follow the game, whether they’re in Tahlequah or across the country.

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