NFL FLAG, Pop Warner, and RCX Announce Nationwide Partnership to Expand Access and Pathways in Youth Football

NFL FLAG and Pop Warner Little Scholars, two of the most recognized names in youth football, announced a nationwide partnership to expand access and opportunity across the sport. The collaboration will introduce NFL FLAG's fast-growing, non-contact format to Pop Warner leagues and associations nationwide. RCX Sports, the leader in youth sports experiences and official operator of NFL FLAG, will support local implementation and elevate the athlete experience.

The partnership will officially launch this December with a flagship tournament at the Pop Warner Super Bowl in Charlotte, NC. The Crown Classic Flag Football Tournament, a joint event hosted by Pop Warner and NFL FLAG, is a first-of-its-kind national event open to Pop Warner and non-Pop Warner teams from across the country. Pop Warner associations will begin launching NFL FLAG leagues in spring 2026, with additional tournaments and showcases planned for the years ahead, all part of a shared commitment to development, safety, and inclusion across all levels of the game.

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The partnership model will allow Pop Warner to integrate NFL FLAG into its existing programming beginning in spring 2026, inviting local leagues and associations to offer both tackle and non-tackle football under one umbrella, alongside existing cheerleading programs, with the goal of expanding options for every young athlete. The structure of the program is designed to be flexible and inclusive, giving leagues the ability to adapt to the needs of their communities and creating new pathways for girls to play flag football alongside boys.

This collaboration brings together NFL FLAG's innovative approach to flag football with Pop Warner's deep roots in tackle football and cheer and dance, giving families and athletes more ways to play, develop, and stay involved in the sport they love. More than 2.4 million young people participated in organized flag football programs in 2024, making it the fastest-growing youth sport in America.

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"Football has the power to teach life lessons, build confidence, and create lifelong friendships — and this partnership ensures more kids have that opportunity," said RCX Sports founder and CEO Izell Reese. "We're proud to partner with Pop Warner to expand access for more young athletes in the sport we all love. Together, we're creating more onramps into football by meeting kids where they are — whether they're pulling flags or making tackles, we want every young athlete to feel like there's a place for them on the field."

"This partnership with NFL FLAG and RCX Sports is a game-changer for youth football," said Steve Strawbridge, CEO of Pop Warner Little Scholars. "It allows us to bring a dynamic, non-contact version of the sport to more boys and girls across the country, while enhancing their overall experience. While Pop Warner has proudly offered flag football for years, this collaboration takes our commitment to the next level by expanding access, improving development, and fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all athletes."

"Development of football athletes, both girls and boys, has taken a leap forward with the RCX-Pop Warner partnership that affords our nation's youth the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of every form of the game," said Troy Vincent, Sr., Executive Vice President of NFL Football Operations. "Options to play flag or tackle, transition to tackle from flag, or remain in flag truly reflect the inclusion, affordability and accessibility of football for all."

Teams from across the country to register at NFLFLAG.com or PopWarner.com.