Flag Football 2026
Marlboro Youth Football and Cheerleading is excited to kick off the 2026 season of our Flag Football League, proudly affiliated with NFL FLAG, the official flag football program of the National Football League. After completing our inaugural season in partnership with NFL FLAG in 2025, we’re looking forward to building on that success and delivering another outstanding year of fun, competition, and skill development for youth athletes in our community.NFL FLAG is the largest youth flag football organization in the United States, serving thousands of players across the country. Designed as a non-contact version of American football, NFL FLAG gives boys and girls of all abilities a chance to learn the fundamentals of the game in a safe, inclusive, and exciting environment.
What Is NFL FLAG Football?
NFL FLAG football takes the core elements of traditional American football and adapts them for a non-contact format that emphasizes speed, strategy, teamwork, and athleticism:
Non-contact gameplay: Players don’t tackle — instead, defenders must pull a flag from a ball-carrier’s belt to stop a play, making the sport safer and more accessible for youth athletes.
Team sizes & field specs: Most NFL FLAG games are played 5v5 or 7v7, though formats can vary depending on age and league size. Fields are typically shorter than tackle football fields, promoting quick action and more touches for each player.
Fundamentals of play: Games begin with a simple coin toss, and every offensive drive focuses on advancing the ball via passes and allowed handoffs, with touchdowns being the primary scoring method. In NFL FLAG, forward passing beyond the line of scrimmage is key, and the sport encourages creative offensive strategies for players of all experience levels.
Gear & safety: Players wear flag belts and team jerseys provided through the league, and while protective gear isn’t required, many families choose mouthguards and cleats that comply with league guidelines.
League Mission & Values
Our 2026 league continues the mission of NFL FLAG: to empower youth through sports, teaching important life values like sportsmanship, teamwork, respect, and resilience both on and off the field. Whether a player is new to football or transitioning from tackle, our league offers competitive yet fun action designed to build confidence, fitness, and friendships.
We’re proud to be part of a sport that’s not only growing rapidly across the country, but also gaining recognition on larger stages — with flag football expanding worldwide and even becoming part of the Olympic program for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
We can’t wait to see returning teams, welcome new players, and make 2026 another unforgettable season of NFL FLAG football!
Additional Information
Jerseys and Flags will be provided to each player
Jerseys are ordered per player - sizing is final so please refer to size chart on this page for informations
Mouth Guards are required to participate - these are not provided by MYF&C
Rubber Cleats and Turf Shoes are permitted
Metal Cleats of any kind are not allowed on the play field
Games are projected to be held on primarily on Sundays for our Mighty Mite-D2 divisions and Saturdays for our D3 Division
Schedule and Divisions are contingent upon player counts.
Current Divisions are not final and may change pending player counts.
Final Schedule will be released upon registration closure.
Season will typically include 6-7 games and a playoff for our older divisions.
Marlboro Youth Football and Cheerleading follows our districts rules for facility use and proof of residency. Proof of residency is required at time of registration.
Report card or school tool showing participants current school, both in and out of district, is required for registration.
If you have any specific quesitons please reach out to [email protected]