Content provided by American Sports Builders Association (ASBA)
Although it was approved as a showcase sport for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, flag football was already growing almost stratospherically in popularity, not only nationwide but worldwide – so the announcement of its Olympic inclusion might not have come as a shock.
The sport began getting global attention when it was presented at the World Games in Birmingham, Alabama in 2022; in that event, Team USA won the gold medal in the men’s competition, and the silver in women’s, with Mexico taking the gold).
On the youth level, flag has gained tremendous yardage, with the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) reporting that the number of participants in girls flag football more than doubled from 2022-23 to 2023-24. A total of 42,955 girls participated in flag football in 2023-24 compared to 20,875 the previous year – a whopping 105-percent increase. And from the 15,716 participants in 2021-22, there has been an increase of 173 percent. All indicators are that high school players are moving on to college, and they’re bringing their interest with them; in fact, NAIA and NJCAA already count women’s flag among their sanctioned sports.
In August, the NFHS Board of Directors approved the first 11-member NFHS Flag Football Rules Committee, which is set to meet in January; the “2025-26 NFHS Flag Football Rules Book” is expected to be available by May.
“The NFHS is excited about this new sports opportunity — particularly for girls,” Dr. Karissa Niehoff, CEO of the NFHS, said in a statement. “Flag is a sport of inclusivity. It can be played in any season (weather dependent), is fast-paced and offers an opportunity for young people to play and others to coach or officiate in the exciting sport of football.”
In early 2023, NFL FLAG (which operates programs nationwide) announced a partnership with the Atlantic East conference in NCAA Division III, bringing female flag football as an emerging sport for the first time in women’s collegiate sports history.
Every NFL team has aligned with the NFL FLAG movement, something that has helped to grow the sport; in fact, the NFL notes that according to data from the International Federation of American Football, 2.4 million children under age 17 are playing organized flag football in the U.S., while millions more participate in flag globally.
What does all this mean for field managers? A lot, since there will be a call for more fields. Flag football’s season begins in the spring. Although high schools and colleges might initially see it as not a competitor for field time, the growth in numbers of students and the likely result (more teams at not just the varsity but the JV and club/intramural levels) are fully expected to result in a need for additional playing space.
At the same time, it is expected that more travel tournaments will be held, creating even more pressure on existing fields.
The American Sports Builders Association (ASBA) recommends working with a Certified Field Builder (CFB). A CFB is a professional with certification in field construction; information on the CFB program (as well as other disciplines within the CFB program) can be found at this link.
Another essential tool in field construction and/or maintenance will be the ASBA’s publication, Sports Fields: Construction and Maintenance Manual, available in both a hard copy and electronic form at this link.
Other resources include the following:
- Information on all of ASBA’s certification programs at this link
- ASBA’s online directory of members (a free service, found at this link)
- ASBA’s Bid Info Request Form, through which field managers can express what they are looking for, and have applicable builders, suppliers and others contact them, found at this link
When planning for a field, it is essential to keep in mind that rules are still being developed and that in many cases, the governing body will have the most current information for that level of play. According to NFL FLAG, for example, a flag football field is shorter than a standard tackle field. Check NFL FLAG’s site for the most updated information. Additionally, college programs may use other field dimensions.
In many cases, using smaller sided fields will allow one field to host multiple games at a time; however, fields will need to be marked appropriately. If a synthetic turf field will need to be marked temporarily, it is essential to contact the turf manufacturer or installer for a list of recommended products.
The International Federation of American Football (IFAF) is currently working on specifications for fields for wheelchair flag football, which it defines as “a co-ed sport with a big future.” Information on these fields will be released as soon as it is available; however, expect surfaces to be accessible to those with mobility devices like wheelchairs. (The Miracle League, for example, an organization dedicated to creating accessibility in baseball, has specific recommendations concerning surfaces that will be flat, smooth and free of any irregularities; it is possible such specifications may be used when IFAF develops its own rules for an accessible game.)
ASBA welcomes any questions from field managers, coaches and athletic directors interested in investigating flag football. Resources are available and builders, designers and suppliers are ready to help meet the burgeoning demand.
