Jan, 9: Miami to host season opener as elite nationwide series returns after seven year hiatus
Nike has relaunched “The Opening”, its premier high school football showcase first introduced in 2011, bringing back the invite-only competition after a seven-year break to provide what it calls “the ultimate platform to perform at the highest level.”
The elite program is designed to identify and elevate the best high school football players across the United States, offering them a rare stage to boost college recruitment, skill development and national exposure through a series of high-profile regional contests and a national final.
The 2026 edition of The Opening will kick off in Miami on January 16, ahead of the College Football Playoff National Championship, before moving to NFL facilities across six major U.S. cities — Los Angeles (Feb 22), Indianapolis (Mar 1), Atlanta (Mar 8), New Orleans (Mar 22), New York City (Apr 12) and Dallas (May 24).
Each regional event will feature 100 of the area’s top athletes, competing in a battery of performance tests including the 40-yard dash, 20-yard shuttle and vertical jump, along with position-specific drills, one-on-one matchups and seven-on-seven competitions.
From these events, 120 of the nation’s best prospects will be selected for The Opening Finals, scheduled for June 24–26 at Nike’s Philip H. Knight Campus in Beaverton, Oregon. There, players will train under elite Nike coaches and compete for potential NIL (Name, Image and Likeness) deals, in what Nike describes as “the best platform for elite athletes to compete against other top talent from across the country.”
The program is also designed to amplify recruiting exposure. All major national recruiting websites will attend the regional events, while data and video will be shared with Power Four college programs. Players will also be able to access their game and drill footage through Hudl, giving them a powerful digital recruiting tool.
Adding to the national spotlight, football content creators Deestroying and AJ Greene will tour all regional stops, spotlighting emerging talent and building fan engagement across platforms.
Nike said participants will join a prestigious lineage that includes Saquon Barkley, Ja’Marr Chase, Derrick Henry and Patrick Surtain II. Since the program began, 428 alumni have been drafted into the NFL, including 95 first-round selections, underscoring its reputation as “the most exclusive regional competition for top high school athletes.”
This year’s field will feature top Class of 2027 recruits and standout underclassmen, all competing free of charge in Nike’s latest football equipment, including cleats, gloves, tops and shorts.
With its return, The Opening once again aims to offer young players “an unmatched opportunity to show off their skills, improve their college recruitment status and advance their football and training knowledge,” while setting the stage for the next generation of American football stars.
