Big 33

What Big 33 does

Big 33 is a charitable non-profit organization founded in 1957 that operates the Big 33 Football Classic, an annual high school all-star football game between Pennsylvania and Maryland senior players, branded 'The Super Bowl of High School Football.' Operated under the Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association (PSFCA) and headquartered at 5010 Ritter Rd, Suite 119, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, the organization runs a portfolio of programs including the Football Classic, the Big 33 Buddy Program (pairing youth with special needs with athletes), an NFL-partnered Girls Flag Football tournament launched in 2024, cheerleading squads for both states, the PSFCA East/West All-Star Games, and a Host Family Program. The 69th edition was held May 24, 2026, with games hosted at Chapman Field at Cumberland Valley High School in Pennsylvania and M&T/Under Armour Stadium in Baltimore.

The organization has no proprietary technology platform; its core offering is event-based. Circle W Sports provides a third-party StatTracker for live game statistics, InvicaHD provides streaming, and Hometown Ticketing handles ticketing. Revenue is generated through five streams: corporate sponsorships (title sponsor Renewal by Andersen of Central PA, plus UPMC, Under Armour, Riddell, Circle W Sports, Geisinger, FlipSled, and 10+ additional regional brands), ticket sales via Hometown Ticketing, online donations, merchandise sales through an online shop, and program advertising. Notable sponsorships include the NFL partnership for Girls Flag Football and the Peyton Walker Foundation/UPMC partnership for free heart screenings.

Customer segments are diversified across high school football players and cheerleaders from Pennsylvania and Maryland (selected via PSFCA coach nominations and open tryouts), Buddy Program participants with special needs, host families, and ticket-buying fans. The organization employs 1-10 permanent staff supplemented by 100+ volunteers per event and is led by Executive Director Garry Cathell and Associate Executive Director Nicole Whitmire. Notable alumni include Pro Football Hall of Famers Tony Dorsett, Jim Kelly, Dan Marino, Joe Montana, and Joe Namath.

Name

Big 33

Legal name

PSFCA/Big 33

Website

https://big33.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1957

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Big 33 is a 1957-founded non-profit that operates the annual Big 33 Football Classic, a Pennsylvania-vs-Maryland high school all-star game, alongside cheerleading, a Buddy Program for special-needs youth, and an NFL-partnered Girls Flag Football tournament launched in 2024.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Amateur Sports Events & Programs

NAICS

Spectator Sports (71121), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events (7113), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth & Scholastic Sports Organizations (K–12, AAU, Club Leagues) (MPAKACAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth & Amateur Sports Tournaments (MPAGAMAF), University/School Sport Governing Bodies (Collegiate/Scholastic Associations) (MPAKAFAG)

Keywords

• High school all-star football
• Youth sports events
• Non-profit sports organization
• Cheerleading programs
• Inclusive athletic programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Mechanicsburg

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Sponsorships: Big 33 generates revenue through corporate sponsorships at various tiers. Sponsors include Renewal by Andersen (title sponsor of the Football Classic), UPMC (Buddy Program events), Circle W Sports, Under Armour, Riddell, FlipSled, and numerous other regional and national brands. Sponsors receive logo placement on the website, program ads, and event visibility.
2. Ticket Sales: The organization sells tickets to the annual Football Classic through Hometown Ticketing. Tickets also provide access to the Girls Flag Football tournament games. Group tickets and military/veterans complimentary tickets are also offered.
3. Donations: As a non-profit organization, Big 33 relies on generous donations to fund its initiatives and missions. An online donation form is available on the website accepting PayPal and credit card payments.
4. Merchandise Sales: The organization operates an online merchandise shop selling Big 33 branded items.
5. Program Advertising: Revenue is generated through program ad sponsorships, where businesses can purchase ad space in the official Big 33 game program.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Big 33 organizes and runs the annual Big 33 Football Classic, a Pennsylvania vs Maryland high school senior all-star football game held each Memorial Day weekend since 1957, along with supporting cheerleading squads, the inclusive Buddy Program for youth with special needs, a Girls Flag Football tournament in partnership with the NFL, and the PSFCA East/West All-Star Games. The organization is a non-profit funded by sponsorships, ticket sales, donations, merchandise, and program advertising.

Product overview

Big 33 is a non-profit high school football all-star event organization operated by the Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association (PSFCA). The core offering is the Big 33 Football Classic, an annual 'Super Bowl of High School Football' featuring Pennsylvania vs Maryland all-star teams. Supporting programs include the Big 33 Buddy Program (partnering special needs youth with athletes), a Girls Flag Football Tournament (launched 2024 with NFL partnership), cheerleading squads for both states, host family matching, and PSFCA East/West All-Star Games. The organization also operates a donation platform and sponsors various community events including youth clinics, bowling, mini-golf, and golf scrambles throughout the year.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Big 33 Buddy Program: Program that partners youths with special needs with Big 33 cheerleaders or football players
• Girls Flag Football Tournament

Products and services

• Big 33 Football Classic Annual high school all-star football game featuring top senior players from Pennsylvania and Maryland competing in a single matchup, dubbed 'The Super Bowl of High School Football'. The event includes team practices, ceremonies, and community activities held Memorial Day weekend.
• Big 33 Buddy Program Inclusive program that partners youth with special needs (aged 5 to under 21) with Big 33 cheerleaders or football players, providing year-round events including bowling, mini-golf, halftime performances, and dances.
• Girls Flag Football Tournament Girls flag football tournament featuring teams representing NFL markets (Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Commanders) competing in round-robin format with a championship game during Memorial Day weekend, produced on-field by RCX Sports (NFL Flag operator).
• Cheerleading Program Select cheerleading squads for both Team Pennsylvania and Team Maryland participating in the Big 33 Football Classic, with halftime performances and year-round community events.
• PSFCA East/West All-Star Games Additional all-star football games organized by the Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association featuring East vs West teams from Pennsylvania.
• Host Family Program Program connecting Big 33 players and cheerleaders with local host families who provide accommodations during the Memorial Day weekend event.
• Donation Platform Online donation system accepting contributions to support Big 33 initiatives and charitable programs, accepting PayPal and credit card payments.

Quantifiable outcome

• Every Super Bowl in history has featured at least one Big 33 alumnus
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• NFL (National Football League)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 May 2024The NFL partnered with PSFCA Big 33 to add the first-ever Girls Flag Football tournament as part of the 67th Big 33 Football Classic in 2024. High school girls flag football teams representing the Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Washington Commanders compete in the tournament. NFL Flag (operated by RCX Sports) produces the on-field competition. The NFL Legend Bobby Taylor serves as global flag ambassador.
• Renewal by Andersen of Central PAflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerRenewal by Andersen of Central PA serves as the title sponsor of the Big 33 Football Classic. The sponsorship was announced in November 2023 and covers the 2024 Big 33 Football Classic. The sponsor provides support for free heart screenings by The Peyton Walker Foundation and UPMC for team players.
• UPMCcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerUPMC provides funding for the Big 33 Buddy Program events including Buddy Bowling and Buddy Mini Golf outings. UPMC's support enables these community events for individuals with special needs and their families.
• Under ArmourcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerUnder Armour is a sponsor of the Big 33 Football Classic. Team Maryland held practice at the Under Armour Stadium in Baltimore in 2023.
• Circle W SportsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCircle W Sports is listed as a sponsor and also provides the StatTracker platform for live game statistics. The company is credited with powering live stats for Big 33 games.
• RiddellminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRiddell is listed as a sponsor of the Big 33 Football Classic, providing equipment and brand visibility.
• InvicaHDcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInvicaHD provides live streaming coverage of the Big 33 Football Classic, making games accessible to a wider audience through digital distribution.
• Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association (PSFCA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPSFCA is the parent organization of the Big 33 Football Classic. PSFCA runs the annual game, selects teams, and manages the East/West All-Star Games and cheerleading programs.
• Maryland Football Coaches AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Maryland Football Coaches Association collaborates with PSFCA to select and manage Team Maryland for the Big 33 Football Classic.
• GeisingerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGeisinger is listed as a sponsor of the Big 33 Football Classic.
• The Peyton Walker FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Peyton Walker Foundation partners with Big 33 to provide free heart screenings for team players during the first PA team practice sessions. This is sponsored by Renewal by Andersen of Central PA.
• FlipSledminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFlipSled is listed as a sponsor of the Big 33 Football Classic.
• Vertical RaiseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVertical Raise is listed as a sponsor of the Big 33 Football Classic.
• Journeys TravelminorGTM or Marketing PartnerJourneys Travel is listed as a sponsor and associated with the PSFCA Big 33 Golf Scramble event.
• CoachCommminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCoachComm is listed as a sponsor of the Big 33 Football Classic.
• Members 1st Federal Credit UnionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMembers 1st Federal Credit Union is listed as a sponsor of the Big 33 Football Classic.
• Commonwealth of Pennsylvania / Visit PAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, through Visit PA, is listed as a sponsor supporting the Big 33 event as part of Pennsylvania tourism and community initiatives.
• Hometown TicketingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHometown Ticketing is the official ticketing platform for the Big 33 Football Classic, providing the digital infrastructure for ticket sales to the public.
• RCX Sports (NFL Flag Operator)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRCX Sports is the official operator of NFL FLAG and produces the on-field Girls Flag Football competition at the Big 33 tournament.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• All-American Bowl: A nationally televised high school all-star football game (formerly U.S. Army All-American Bowl) featuring top recruits from across the country. Directly comparable to Big 33 as a high school football all-star showcase competing for the same elite player talent and sponsor dollars.
• Offense-Defense All-American Bowl: A long-running high school football all-star game series showcasing top high school seniors in an All-American format. Comparable to Big 33 in player selection, all-star showcase model, and national youth football positioning.

Broad incumbents

• East-West Shrine Bowl: A college all-star football game operated by Shriners International as a charitable fundraising event for Shriners Children's. Comparable to Big 33 in combining an all-star football showcase with a charitable/community mission and sponsor-driven revenue model, though at the college level.
• Senior Bowl: A premier college all-star football game held annually in Mobile, Alabama. Comparable to Big 33 as a flagship all-star football event with similar sponsor, broadcast, and community engagement dynamics, but operates at the college level rather than high school.

Emerging players

• RCX Sports (NFL FLAG): Official operator of NFL FLAG and Big 33's strategic partner for the Girls Flag Football tournament. Comparable as a youth flag football event organizer and girls flag football ecosystem builder, with overlapping sponsor and NFL-relationship channels.

Others

• Special Olympics: Global non-profit providing year-round sports training and athletic competition for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Comparable to Big 33's Buddy Program mission of inclusive athletic participation for individuals with special needs, and shares the non-profit sponsorship/fundraising model.
• Best Buddies International: Non-profit focused on one-to-one friendship and inclusion programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Comparable to Big 33's Buddy Program in mission and stakeholder model, though Best Buddies operates as a national/international non-profit rather than a single regional event.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/psfcabig33
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCWKVTvOYwkN07Vrz_w-7Bqg
• Facebookfacebook.com/Big33FootballClassic
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/psfca-big-33-football-classic
• Instagraminstagram.com/psfcabig33footballclassic

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Big 33