HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK, Arkansas — The first season of NFL FLAG youth football at Hot Springs Majestic Park was such a success that the league is being expanded for the coming fall season of play.
“With the success of our first ever season in NFL FLAG Football in 2024, Majestic Park is expanding the league to add divisions for third through sixth grades,” Majestic Park General Manager Derek Phillips said Wednesday. “This will open up opportunities for even more kids — boys and girls — to enjoy this exciting sport.”
Phillips said registration will begin August 4 for both the NFL FLAG league and the fourth season of the annual Majestic Park fall baseball program.
“We’ll have registration through August 31 at www.majesticpark.org,” Phillips said, “then we’ll start play September 15 for both the baseball and flag football programs.”
He said the NFL FLAG program will have these divisions this year:
• K – Second Grade Coed — (Skills Test will be on Babe Ruth Field September 2 at 5:30 p.m.)
• Third – Sixth Grade Coed — (Skills Test will be on Babe Ruth Field September 2 at 7 p.m.)
• Seventh – 12th Grade Girls Only (Skills Test will be on Babe Ruth Field September 4 at 6 p.m.)
NFL FLAG football coaches will meet August 26 at 6:30 p.m. in the Babe Ruth Grandstands.
Registration for NFL FLAG Football is $75. Games will be played Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings starting September 15 through November 14.
“If you are interested in playing and don’t have a team or want to coach or be involved, or have any concerns, email Derek Phillips at dphillips@majesticpark.org or call 501-359-2414,” Phillips said.
“As for our popular fall baseball program, this will be our fourth season,” Phillips said. “We are only doing open individual registration for 3- & 4-year-olds, 5- and 6-year-olds, and 7- and 8-year-olds. As always, people can form their own teams for the fall league in these age groups.
“For the 9- and 10-year-olds, 11- and 12-year-olds, and 13- through 16-year-olds we are planning to have only complete teams register, no individual registrations. Anyone interested can email league@majesticpark.org and we can place individual kids on teams.
Fall baseball registration levels are: $50 for Yo Ball 3- and 4-year-olds; $85 for 5- and 6-year-olds Tball; $95 for 7- and 8-year-olds Coach Pitch, and $105 for 9-year-olds and up.
Fall baseball games will be Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings September 15 through November 14.
NFL FLAG is the official flag football program of the National Football League and is the largest youth flag football league in the United States.
The National Federation of State High School Associations said, “The NFHS is excited about this new sports opportunity – particularly for girls. Flag is a sport of inclusivity, can be played in any season (weather dependent), is fast-paced and offers the excitement of tackle football with a reduced risk of injury. Costs are also minimal since students need little more than a uniform, pair of cleats or athletic shoes.
The popularity of flag football – for boys and girls – has been growing at the youth levels for the past 10 years. In 2023, about 500,000 girls ages 6-17 played flag football – a 63 percent increase since 2019.
At a higher level of competition, more universities are beginning to offer flag football for girls, which will enhance the appeal for girls playing the sport at the high school level. Internationally, the sport received a huge boost with the announcement recently of flag football as an Olympic sport for men and women at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
NFL FLAG leagues are no-contact, giving boys and girls of all abilities a chance to develop their fundamental football skills in a positive, inclusive environment.
NFL FLAG provides more than 1,500 league organizers and coaches the ability to position their programs as the most credible, leading youth flag organization at their local level.
In the 1990s, when the NFL launched a global health and wellness initiative called Play Football, it had one goal: to make football accessible for all children—no matter their age, size or gender. That is where the idea for NFL FLAG began.
In 1994, the NFL officially kicked off its first youth camp series at the New England Patriots’ stadium, where it introduced the rules of flag football and taught children how to play. Shortly after, leagues began to pop up nearby in Massachusetts, and they quickly took off. By the early 2000s, youth athletes all over the country were participating in NFL FLAG, from school programs to local park districts to Boys and Girls Clubs.
Now, with more than 600,000 participants, NFL FLAG continues to evolve. It’s a pathway for female athletes to play in college, as well as an outlet for tackle athletes to compete in the offseason. One thing stays the same: It’s a place for every boy and girl to play football.
NFL FLAG says its mission is “To empower youth athletes and instill a lifelong passion for flag football through leagues that are engaging, fun, and accessible for everyone. With the support of the NFL, we provide a structured opportunity for kids to discover the importance of sportsmanship, teamwork, and friendship, both on and off the field.”
For more information contact Derek Phillips at 501-359-2414 or dphillips@majesticpark.org.