Bowl games that are to be sanctioned by the NJCAA for the 2020, 2021, and 2022 seasons can only take place on the Saturday and Sunday prior to Thanksgiving or the first Saturday and Sunday in December:

All dates for postseason bowl games must be finalized no later than June 1^st of the year in which the sanctioned bowl game is to be played. Any request for date changes after June 1^st shall be directed to the NJCAA National Office with appropriate rationale.

NOTE: Please use the NJCAA Budget Template Form.

TEAM SELECTIONS, INVITATIONS
Sanctioned bowl games are required to provide the selection rationale and criteria for determining bowl game participants as well as any financial packages, incentives and special arrangements for teams to the NJCAA National Office each year the sanctioned bowl game is to be played. These details are due to the NJCAA National Office by Sept. 1 each year and will be shared with the athletic directors of NJCAA member colleges that participate in football.

Selections/invitations to sanctioned bowl games must follow the policy and guidelines established by the NJCAA Football Committee and are subject to change each year. The NJCAA will circulate these guidelines to sanctioned bowl game directors annually.   

FINANCIAL, LODGING and SPECIAL INCENTIVES
Throughout the history of NJCAA bowl games, hosts have tried to assist participating teams offset some of the large costs colleges incur in order to give their student-athletes the opportunity to play in the postseason. Below are some of the incentives and benefits that have been provided to teams participating in sanctioned NJCAA Bowl Games. The NJCAA suggests that each sanctioned bowl game try to provide some of the benefits described below.

     - Monetary travel stipend to each participating team (range is $3,000 - $10,000)
     - Complimentary lodging provided for each team (current range is 1-2 nights, max 40 rooms)
     - Breakfast and lunch/dinner provided to both teams the day of the game
     - Complimentary travel arrangements upon arrival (vehicles for coaches)
     - Meal discounts at local restaurants

Click here to download and sign the NJCAA Insurance Agreement Form

HOST agrees to the following facility requirements for a NJCAA Football Bowl Game:

- The field and markings must meet current NCAA guidelins identified in the NCAA Football Playing Rules. Exception: NJCAA will entertain bids for a bowl game to be played at a high school facility, however in such cases the NJCAA strongly suggests that hash marks and field goals meet the collegiate standards.
 
- ADA Compliant
- No alcohol / tobacco use at NJCAA event
- Public Address and Sound System
- Modernized scoreboard that can provide fans with essential details of the game.
- Athletic Training Facilities
- Equipment or service for monitoring and tracking inclement weather that could potentially disrupt the bowl game or compromise the safte of participants and spectators. Lightening detection equipment on site is required.
- Venue must have a suitable press box with appropriate space for select coaches from both teams, radio, television, print media, administrators, statisticians and other key personnel. Internet access is highly recommended.
- Two (2) locker rooms complete with showers for teams
- Separate and secured locker room for officials
- Adequate parking for team buses and equipment vehicles

A bowl game banquet is optional, but highly encouraged.  This is a great way to kick off the event and recognize the outstanding achievements of both teams. Many hosts are able to secure a sponsor for this event while others charge a minimal fee for teams to attend. If a charge is required, it is to be no more than $25 per student-athlete / coach of each team. A fee for general admission is to be determined by the bowl game. If a banquet is provided, coaches and student-athletes must abide by the NJCAA dress decorum outlined in the NJCAA Handbook.

Previous NJCAA Bowl Games have seen much success in having the two selected teams participate in community activities prior to the bowl game. Visiting elementary schools, Boys & Girls Club, hosting a football instructional clinic, having a 5k – 10k race the day before the game (players can assist / hand out awards), community concert / street fair (autograph sessions with the teams) are just a few examples of what can be done to help foster more community involvement for the bowl game and creating a memorable experience for participating teams.  

Sanctioned bowl games may produce a unique bowl game logo. These logos must incorporate the official NJCAA logo and/or the words NJCAA^TM (with Trademark subscript). Bowl game logos are to adhere to the NJCAA Logo Use and Style Guide and must be submitted to the NJCAA for approval in .EPS and .JPG format no later than Oct. 1^st each year. All promotional items / products using the NJCAA name must include the appropriate trademark symbol (NJCAA^TM ). Any products bearing a NJCAA logo must include the registered mark (®).

HOST agrees that all official merchandise for NJCAA Championships that will be sold onsite and online will be handled by the NJCAA’s official championship merchandise company. Host will receive 30 percent (30%)of the net sales. Any group outside of the NJCAA’s official championship merchandise company that desires to produce merchandise must first seek permission from the NJCAA and then be properly licensed with the official licensing partner of the NJCAA. The merchandise partner agreement is subject to change and any changes will be communicated in advance with HOST.

 Sanctioned bowl games agree to provide recognition to NJCAA national sponsors including but not limited to:
              
  - on field signage
  - placement on cover of bowl game program
  - ad inventory in bowl game program
  - PA announcements
  - opportunity for on-site engagement / product give away
  - special jersey patches for team and officials

Revenue from such sponsorships will be shared between bowl hosts and the NJCAA.

Additional notes on Marketing for the NJCAA Football Bowl Games:

Local Sponsors
Bowl games are permitted to secure sponsors to their specific bowl games, however, there can be no conflicts with a national sponsor of the NJCAA. Please contact the NJCAA National Office for further details.

Host agrees it is responsible for providing knowledgeable staff to record official statistics for their NJCAA Football Bowl Game. Statistics are to be recorded and distributed/reported to the general public and NJCAA immediately following the conclusion of the contest.

Host is required to record LIVE game statistics with appropriate gamecast so fans can follow the stats of the game via one of the following statistics software programs: DakStats, StatCrew, or PrestoSports Stat Entry. The XML file for the game is to be sent to the NJCAA immediately following the conclusion of the game.

Download, fillout and sign your NJCAA Bowl Game Contract

Potential HOST agrees and acknowledges that they have read and reviewed the NJCAA Football Bowl Game Host Manual and Requirements and will comply follow all guidelines and requirements outlined.