NFL FLAG vs Under the Lights vs RISE vs FNL: Flag Football League Programs Compared

Program descriptions are drawn from each program's own published materials as of October 2026. Flag50 works with leagues of every model and does not recommend one program over another. To work out which model fits you first, see independent vs affiliate league.

The largest youth flag network in the country, and the only one whose jerseys carry real NFL club names and logos. More than 1,000 leagues; ages 5 to 17 Sourced. Step-by-step detail is in how to start an NFL FLAG league.

Entry fee

$0. No franchise fee. Background check required (Sterling Volunteers; setup fee waived) Sourced

Per-player cost

Required equipment kit: $25 per player (Core: reversible NFL club jersey, NFL FLAG belt, one football per five players) or $30 (Gameday Performance sublimated jersey). Equipment is non-refundable; one jersey exchange per season for $25 Sourced

Insurance

Not included. League must carry at least $1M general liability naming RCX Sports, the NFL, NFL Ventures and related entities as additional insureds. Discounted GL is available through Players Health (price by quote). Participant accident insurance is free for approved leagues that upload rosters before game one Sourced

Software

Free Matrix league management; discounted registration software (Sports Connect); confirm fees with your League Success Manager Sourced

Tournaments

34 NFL club-hosted regionals in 2026 (19 spring, 15 fall). Entry $399 early bird, $549 late, per team. Fall 2026 regionals run from October 3 into mid-December; early-bird entry has closed for the season. The 2026 NFL FLAG Championships were held July 23 to 26 at Grand Park, Westfield, IN, with 350+ US teams and games on ESPN and Disney platforms. Check nflflag.com for current dates and fees Sourced

Territory

Exclusive territory; RCX reviews how many leagues already exist in your area before approving. Approval reported at 2 to 3 weeks Sourced

Format

5v5 flagship; two halves of 15 to 25 minutes, depending on the league (tournaments set their own clock); two officials per field; 8 to 10 games plus postseason over about 8 weeks Sourced

Restrictions

NFL FLAG rules and brand manual apply. Team logos may not appear on marketing; the NFL shield may not be separated from the FLAG mark; league must create its own logo. Local sponsorships allowed except automotive (Toyota is the national partner) and operating-partner categories Sourced

Marketing guidance

NFL FLAG cites a typical launch spend of $1,000 to $10,000 per location and recommends 4 to 6 months of preparation Sourced

Strengths

Zero entry cost; the NFL brand and club jerseys; free accident insurance and league software; a national championship pathway; club co-marketing in select markets (NFL Club Network)

Ask about

The per-player kit, required each season; card prepayment for independent operators; reserved sponsor categories; territory approval by RCX. National sponsorships are not shared with operators

Founded in 2015, branded "Powered by Under Armour," bought by OneTeam Partners (the NFLPA and MLBPA joint venture) in 2021 and then majority-acquired by Unrivaled Sports in 2024. Claims 250+ leagues and 80,000 to 100,000 athletes Sourced. Under the Lights publishes its entry terms on its start-a-league page.

Entry fee

$1,000 marketing deposit due within three business days of signing an Operator Agreement Sourced

Per-player cost

$65 player kit (UTL jersey, shorts, one football per team). The page also says UTL covers uniform and ball costs, so confirm who pays the $65 before you sign Sourced

Pricing

Operator sets registration; UTL cites a $160 average and illustrates roughly $40 net per athlete at about 230 athletes per season. These are UTL's own illustrations, not guarantees Sourced

Inclusions

Branded jerseys, shorts, balls, belts, coach trophies and medals; LaunchTrack registration and SportsEngine page; background check system; operator manual, coaching calls; national tournaments; revenue share on apparel upsells (percentage not stated)

Operator supplies

Fields, officials, insurance, marketing, customer service, scheduling Sourced

Format

6v6, Pre-K to 8th grade, coed and all-girls, Friday-night emphasis, same-day practice, no tryouts

Ask about

Territory protection (not stated on the public page) and whether the $65 kit is billed to the operator or bundled into registration

A national youth brand run through local owner-operators on branded league sites. About 100 listed league sites in 19 states, most in Florida and California; 25,000+ players reported in February 2024 Sourced. 2026 local pages list a Nike reversible jersey.

Entry fee and terms

Provided on request rather than published; ask RISE for the owner agreement

Observed family pricing

$130 to $180 per player plus a $25 RISE processing fee and a transaction fee at checkout; $30 sibling discount (Saginaw, TX, 2027 winter season) Sourced

Inclusions

TeamLinkt-powered site and registration; Nike reversible jersey shipped to the player; custom belt and team ball; national rules; grade-based rankings; Southeast and West Coast regionals; a national championship; background check system

Format

Coed 6v6 on a 25 x 50 yard field, 6 to 8 games, 8 to 10 per roster; grade bands Pre-K/K through 7-8; girls divisions

Strengths

Turnkey jersey fulfillment and web presence; a grade-based 6v6 format many parents like; national rankings and a championship

Ask about

Owner fees and territory, since terms are by request; how the per-player processing fee appears to families at checkout

Founded in 2006 in Los Alamitos, CA; operates as a nonprofit; describes itself as the largest youth flag football league, with about 20 league areas, almost all in Southern and Central California plus two in Oklahoma Sourced. A 6v6 passing league, K to 8, rosters of 8 or fewer, every player plays three of four quarters, games on Friday nights under lights.

FNL invites applicants to become General Manager or Commissioner of a new city using "the FNL method," with expansion focused on Western US cities. Fees and territory terms are shared on inquiry rather than published.

Strengths: one of the largest youth flag leagues in the country, a strong regional brand, a nonprofit model, and a proven Friday-night event atmosphere that families love. Ask about: fees and territory terms, which are shared on inquiry.

A San Mateo, CA company, started in 2010, whose differentiator is that high school and college student-athletes coach the teams. It works with 40+ NCAA programs, including Texas A&M, and claims 300+ locations in 25+ states Sourced. Observed pricing: $275 for a five-week season at Texas A&M (2026).

No public affiliate, franchise, or license program was found; Next Level operates directly through partner sites. An outside entrepreneur's path in is as a site partner rather than as an owner.

i9 Sports is the only true franchise (FDD-regulated) in this set and is multi-sport, with flag as a core offering. 2025 FDD: franchise fee $24,900 (10-year) or $1,500 plus installments on a 5-year agreement; total initial investment $36,500 to $69,900; royalty 7.5 percent of revenue (minimum $425 to $450 per month) plus 2 percent brand fund and 2 percent local advertising; $100,000 net worth and $50,000 liquidity; average 2024 registration revenue $461,504 (median $360,398) Sourced.

USA Football is the national governing body, not a league brand. In 2025, affiliation was free to enroll, with a $40 coach or commissioner membership and a $35 athlete membership; when all members were compliant the package included $1M/$3M general liability, $100,000 accident medical, $1M abuse coverage, D&O and $25,000 equipment coverage through Players Health. It also provides flag rules, coach and officials certification, age verification and Team USA scouting access. For 2026, USA Football moved to Enrollment Plus+ (coach courses at $19.50, roster cards at $14.50 per athlete), which does not include insurance; groups get a separate quote through Players Health Sourced.