When Does Flag Football Season Start? A State-by-State Guide

 

This state-by-state guide breaks down when flag football season will start across the country so you can be ready when the first snap happens!

Flag football is such a unique and fast-growing youth sport in the United States. Offering a fun and competitive alternative to our traditional tackle football, kids across the country are gravitating towards the flag football gridiron. If you’re a parent signing up your child, a coach organizing a new team, or thinking about starting a new flag football program, knowing when flag football season starts in your state is essential for planning.

This state-by-state guide breaks down flag football seasons across the country so you can be ready when the first snap happens!

When Does Flag Football Start?

The start of flag football season varies by state, location, age range, and individual clubs or leagues. But, most flag football programs follow these general timelines:

• Spring Season: March – Start of Summer
• Fall Season: August – November
• Year-Round Programs: Some leagues, like NFL FLAG, offer multiple seasons per year

Flag Football Season by State

Here’s a general region and state-by-state list of when you can expect the major flag football seasons to take place: 

Northeast

• New York: Fall (September – November), Spring (April – June)
• New Jersey: Fall (September – November), Spring (April – June)
• Massachusetts: Fall (September – November), Spring (March – June)
• Pennsylvania: Fall (September – November), Spring (March – June)
• Connecticut: Fall (September – November), Spring (March – June)

Southeast

• Florida: Year-round
• Georgia: Spring (March – June)
• North Carolina: Fall (September – November), Spring (March – May)
• South Carolina: Fall (September – November), Spring (March – May)
• Tennessee: Fall (September – November), Spring (March – May)

Midwest

• Illinois: Fall (August – October), Spring (April – June)
• Ohio: Spring (April – June), Summer (June, July, August)
• Michigan: Spring (April – June)
• Indiana: Fall (August – October), Spring (April – May)
• Wisconsin: Fall (August – November), Spring (April – June)

Southwest

• Texas: Year-round 
• Arizona: Year-round
• New Mexico: Fall (July – October), Spring (March – May)
• Oklahoma: Fall (August – November), Spring (March – May)

West Coast

• California: Year-round
• Oregon: Year-round options
• Washington: Fall (September – November), Spring (April – June)

Mountain West

• Colorado: Fall (September – October), Spring (April – May)
• Utah: Fall (September – November)
• Nevada: Fall (September – November), Spring (March – May), Winter (January – February)

How to Find Your Local Flag Football League

If you’re wondering when flag football starts in your area, here are some ways to find local leagues:

NFL FLAG Website – NFL FLAG is the largest flag football organization in the country and offers state-by-state listings.
Local Parks & Rec Departments – Many cities offer flag football through their parks and recreation programs.
Youth Sports Organizations – Community groups and community leagues often host flag football seasons.

Final Thoughts

Now that you know when flag football season starts, it’s time to get your team ready! Whether you’re managing a recreational league or organizing a competitive squad, the right tools can make all the difference.

For Coaches & Parents: Use TeamSnap to simplify team communication, scheduling, and roster management. Keep everyone on the same page, from practice times to game day updates.

For League & Club Administrators: TeamSnap for Business provides powerful solutions for registration, payments, sponsorships, and overall league management — helping you run your flag football program like a pro.

Get ready for the season with TeamSnap — because organizing flag football should be as fun as playing it!