Flag Football Growth

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According to the International Federation of American Football, 2.4 million kids under 17 are playing organized flag football in the U.S., while millions more participate in flag globally.

IFAF is the global governing body responsible for growing American football around the world and oversees the regulation, competition, performance, and development parts of the game.

“Tackle [football] will continue as the professional game played in the NFL and its amateur pipeline from youth through college,” said Vincent, Sr. “But flag will dominate in neighborhoods, schools and recreational leagues around the world. It’s happening in front of our eyes.”

International Expansion

Across IFAF’s 74 national member federations, flag football is expected to overtake tackle football worldwide in terms of organized participation opportunities in the next few years.

To amplify and support the long-term growth and momentum of flag football across the world, the NFL and IFAF launched the Global Flag Football Ambassadors program in 2022. Ambassadors support the global efforts of IFAF and the NFL to increase international awareness, interest and participation in flag football and drive the development of the game.

Flag football competitions have been a major part of the IFAF’s efforts since 2002, when IFAF held the first world championships for men’s and women’s flag football. Tournaments now occur every other year.