American Flag Football League: The Future of Football?

If someone were to ask you to name the sport that outgrew soccer, lacrosse, ice hockey, and rugby in the past 6 years in the growth of participation, would you guess flag football??

Most people wouldn’t - and yet flag football is growing at a significant rate, compared to other professionally established sports. In the past 6 years, flag football has seen a 23% increase in participants, while traditional tackle football has seen a decrease of 15%. With players like Michael Vick, who also played in the National Football League, and the widespread public interest in player safety, flag football is set to become a safer alternative for youth leagues across the country.?

As scientific research continues to reveal more about the dangers associated with contact sports,? including the effects of concussions on children who play tackle football, the sport is facing a pivotal? moment. In a 2022 survey of 4,000 adults, more than half reported the opinion that playing football is “inappropriate” for children. Concussions, potential memory problems, and overall safety concerns play a big part in these shifting perspectives on football.

The American Flag Football League (AFFL)? is addressing these fears by creating a safer space for football players of all ages and genders. In 2023, the AFFL is? set to launch a men’s professional division - earning them the distinction of being the first to bring a true professional sports structure to the flag football space.?

This professional structure lays a foundation for the ? notable? growth in popularity? the sport? has experienced to date Recently, we’ve seen the NFL push for flag football to be included in the Olympics as early as 2028. There has been a quiet partnership between the NFL and the AFFL for quite some time - in 2018, the NFL Network helped get the AFFL off the ground with a broadcasting partnership. If flag football is included in the Olympics it may legitimize the sport and bring awareness to a whole new level amongst the large and enthusiastic fan base of American football.?

Flag Football also offers a new opportunity for women’s leagues to flourish. While tackle football saw a genesis in a time when women’s sports were almost nonexistent, the AFFL? is coming onto the scene during a time when women’s sports are established and normalized. Flag football offers the chance for the traditionally “male-dominated” culture of football to be reframed, as women’s teams pop up all across the world. In Philadelphia, the Eagles NFL team recently launched a girl’s flag football league to provide opportunities for girls across the region. This is just one example of an exciting future for the sport.?

Flag Football is a sport on the rise, and is gaining traction amongst fans and athletes alike. A safer and more inclusive version of football is something that we can all get behind.?