History of the sport
We’re still making history every time we play, and you’re welcome to contribute!
Got photos and milestones you think should be here? Let us know!
2006
Greg Manley, a senior at New York University’s Experimental Theater Wing, decides to combine art and sport through devising Circle Rules Football
2007
The first ever rulebook of Circle Rules Football is created.
Check out that retro crest!
2009 — A banner year for Circle Rules Football, both within New York City…
On May 24, 2009, The Circle Rules Federation held its Spring 3 on 3 tournament in Prospect Park, Brooklyn. Six teams took to the field, and played throughout the day in 90 degree heat — and Axis of Evil took home the trophy!
On May 27th, 2009, the Circle Rules Federation began official League Play by the waterfront of Lower Manhattan's East River Park. Watch the footage from this historic match between Dynamo Shock & Awe, and The Flying Mordecais!
And touring across festivals…
In September, 2009, Circle Rules Football was invited to Bristol, England for IgFest! (Interesting Games Festival) First-time players from around the world got to experience the game, new techniques were introduced, and many adventures were had. Little did we know the sport would stay alive in Bristol for the next decade…
And at the Come Out And Play Festival, where Circle Rules Football won “Best in Show” and “Best in Fest” awards.
2011
The 5th Annual Harvest Festival — won by The Good News. Seriously, five years of this thing? How much longer could it last?
2012
The Rebel Rousers trounce the New Aristocracy to go undefeated in the 2012 Season of The NYC Circle Rules Football League.
In the New York League, Aristocracy fell again to the Rebel Rousers in the final.
2013
New York’s own Splinters won the Harvest Tournament, ahead of teams like Bearded Meat and Flying Chazerai.
2014
Minnesota’s own Blind Squirrels travel to New York City to beat the Californian team LLUA to claim the Harvest Tournament pumpkin.
In the New York League, the Rebel Rousers beat the Slow (James K.) Polks in the final 23 to 12.
New York League player Taco Hidde Bakker of Shock & Awe returns to Amsterdam and organizes the first ever games of Circle Rules Football! Later that year, players from Amsterdam bring the game to Brussels.
2015
Meanwhile in New York, the 2015 edition of the Harvest Tournament featured teams from New York, Pittsburgh, and Minneapolis…
2016
In the NYC League, the Aristocracy defeats the Brooklyn Warriors, breaking a streak of 5 straight Rebel Rouser titles.
Photos and videos courtesy of Sasha Arutyunova
2016
1st World Cup
An idea whose time had come…
Circle Rules Football had been growing virally since 2006, and as we approached the end of the first decade, it had naturally spread to three new countries: the UK (after the success of Circle Rules Football at the igFest in Bristol in 2009), the Netherlands, and Belgium (in both Brussels and Bruges).
There was no better way to celebrate the longevity of the game but to invite all four countries to the first ever World Cup in Flevopark, Amsterdam. After a two-day tournament champions — and World Cup Hosts — were crowned for the very first time…
THE NETHERLANDS
HOSTS, 2nd PLACE
BELGIUM
3rd PLACE
GREAT BRITAIN
CHAMPIONS
THE USA
PARTICIPATION TROPHY
The USA was sponsored by Explore Analytics.
Harvest tournament! Winners: The Giraffes!
2017
Brooklyn Warriors claims the New York League title again!
2018
2nd World Cup
As winners of the 2016 World Cup, Great Britain extended an invitation to the previous participants to vie for the trophy yet again.
Wearing one star upon their chests, Team GB fought to retain the title. But the rest of the world had other plans…
The 2018 World Cup was supported by Explore Analytics.
GREAT BRITAIN
Hosts, 3rd Place
THE NETHERLANDS
2nd PLACE (AGAIN)
THE USA
CHAMPIONS
BELGIUM
3rd PLACE
2018
The New York League shakes up — the Slow (James K.) Polks splits into two new teams, Birds of Paradise and Not Fast Not Furious! NFNF makes it to the final, where they fall to Aristocracy.
The first-ever Womens’ Invitational is played, inviting new female-identified players to learn the sport!
At the 2018 Harvest Festival, a shocking twist — the Clashing Pumpkins and Synergy decided to explore their own form of Synergy by agreeing to split the final pumpkin. During the festival, Greg Manley and Team USA were presented with citations from the Brooklyn Borough President honoring Circle Rules Football and its contribution to the culture of Brooklyn. Cool!
2021
The Harvest Tourney Returns!
The 2021 Harvest Tournament brought back the joy of silly costumes and semi-serious competition!
Final standings (L-to-R above): Were-Waldos, Cheese ‘n’ Trouble, Werq Crew, and the Underwearers!