What NFL FLAG supplies, and what you supply
NFL FLAG is 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. It costs $0 to enter, but it is not free to run.
| Item | From NFL FLAG | Your job |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | No franchise fee; background check through Sterling Volunteers with the setup fee waived Sourced | Pass the check and get territory approval |
| Uniforms | Reversible NFL club jersey, belt and balls in the required kit Sourced | Buy the kit for every player, every season |
| Insurance | Free participant accident coverage for approved leagues; discounted general liability through Players Health, priced by quote Sourced | Carry at least $1M general liability and upload the certificate |
| Software | Free Matrix league management; discounted registration software (Sports Connect) Sourced | Confirm registration fees with your League Success Manager; set up divisions |
| Brand | The NFL FLAG lockup, as supplied | Create your own league name and logo |
| Tournaments | NFL club-hosted regionals and a national championship Sourced | Pay team entry fees if your teams go |
| Marketing | Club co-marketing in select markets (NFL Club Network) | Fund the launch: NFL FLAG cites $1,000 to $10,000 per location Sourced |
If you are still choosing a model, read independent vs affiliate league first, and compare NFL FLAG with other programs in league programs compared.
Steps to launch an NFL FLAG league
NFL FLAG recommends 4 to 6 months of preparation Sourced. Work through these in order, because several steps gate the next one.
- Check your territory and apply. NFL FLAG grants an exclusive territory, and RCX reviews how many leagues already exist in your area before approving. Approval is reported at 2 to 3 weeks Sourced.
- Clear the background check. It is required, through Sterling Volunteers, with the setup fee waived Sourced.
- Create your own league name and logo. Every league is told to create its own unique name and logo, and NFL team logos may not be used on marketing of any kind Sourced. See NFL team names and logos and league business setup.
- Get insurance and upload the certificate. Carry at least $1M general liability, and upload a certificate to your League Organizer account naming RCX Sports LLC, the NFL, NFL Ventures Inc. and related entities as additional insureds. Equipment ordering stays locked until the certificate is approved Sourced.
- Secure fields. Start the permit conversation with parks and schools three to six months before your first season Estimate. See field permits and rental costs.
- Set up registration. Matrix league management is free, and NFL FLAG offers discounted registration software (Sports Connect); confirm the fees with your League Success Manager Sourced. Collect jersey sizes at registration with a printed size chart.
- Order the kit in two waves. A main order at registration close, then a small second order for late sign-ups and size exchanges. Expect roughly 5 to 8 percent of families to want a swap Estimate.
- Upload rosters before game one. Approved leagues can opt into free participant accident coverage, but rosters must be uploaded through the Matrix platform before the first game to be covered Sourced.
Ready to launch? Flag50 runs registration, your league website and live scoring for independent and affiliated leagues.
Book a 20-minute call →The NFL FLAG kit: cost, lead times and terms
The kit is supplied through RCX Sports, available only to approved NFL FLAG leagues, and the only way to put NFL club marks on youth jerseys.
- Core kit, $25 per player
- Reversible NFL club jersey (all 32 teams), official NFL FLAG belt, one football per five players Sourced
- Gameday Performance kit, $30
- Lightweight sublimated reversible jersey in all 32 designs, green or yellow belt, football credit, pre-paired pocketless shorts option Sourced
- Add-ons
- Team shorts about $16, headbands about $10.95, team flags about $10, plus socks, sleeves, gloves, mouthguards, pylons, coach shirts; custom lettering extra (prices by catalog)
- Lead times
- Allow 10 to 14 days for ground orders and order at least two weeks before you need delivery; two free ground shipments per season; expedited shipping at league expense Sourced
- Terms
- Non-refundable; one unopened jersey exchange per season for $25; ordering opens only after the insurance certificate is approved; independent operators pay by card, government and nonprofit operators may use a purchase order
- Sizes
- Youth S to L, adult S to 2XL
Brand and sponsor rules
An official NFL FLAG league does not receive a license to reproduce team marks. What it gets is the right to buy and distribute the official jerseys, which carry the team branding Sourced.
- NFL team logos may not appear on your website, flyers, social posts, banners or trophies.
- The NFL shield may not be separated from the FLAG word mark; use the supplied NFL FLAG lockup as provided.
- The NFL FLAG logo may go on apparel only with RCX permission, and sponsor logos on NFL jerseys need RCX approval.
- Do not call your championship the "Super Bowl" or a variant of it.
- Local sponsorships are allowed except automotive (Toyota is the national partner) and operating-partner categories. National sponsorships are not shared with operators Sourced.
The full do and do not table, for independent and NFL FLAG leagues side by side, is in NFL team names and logos.
Season format and the tournament pathway
5v5 is the flagship format: two halves of 15 to 25 minutes, depending on the league, two officials per field, and 8 to 10 games plus postseason over about 8 weeks Sourced. Tournaments set their own clock. Field sizes for 5v5 (NFL FLAG rules) are in field dimensions and layout.
NFL clubs host regional tournaments each spring and fall, and teams advance to the NFL FLAG Championships, held in 2026 at Grand Park in Westfield, Indiana, with games on ESPN and Disney platforms Sourced. Dates, locations and team entry fees change every season, so check nflflag.com for the current schedule and fees before you promise families a trip.