FAQ’s

The NYGFL is a 7-on-7 flag football league inclusive to all but catering primarily to the LGBTQ+ community in and around New York City. The league is currently the largest gay flag football league in the country with approximately 250 participants and 20 teams each season.

The NYGFL is a flag football league with no tackling whatsoever. Every player wears a belt with 3 flags. To "tackle" another player, one simply pulls on a flag to remove the belt. There is still contact inherent to this format of play, but nobody will tackle you!

Nope! The NYGFL welcomes players of all ability levels. Players range from complete beginners to advanced; most members begin with little or no competitive football experience. If you're a rookie, your captain will work with you to learn the rules, develop your skills, and find a position well-suited to your capabilities. If you’re an experienced player, you’ll enjoy the competitive atmosphere with many other talented players.

Players are required to wear pocketless shorts, which are provided to all new players for free! You should also wear cleats (no metal studs/spikes) and football gloves. The league will provide you with flags to wear each game.

Registration for new players begins each year in the middle of February for the spring season and in the middle of August for the fall season. The spring season typically runs from early March through the weekend before Memorial Day (late May). The fall season typically runs from mid-September through mid-December. The majority of games are played on Saturday nights from 7:00-10:30, with occasional Sunday afternoon games.

Registration each season costs $150, which helps cover costs for field permits, equipment, jerseys, socials, and referees. Payment will be due at time of registration. There is no registration cost for individuals on the waitlist. Only when an individual is removed from the waitlist and placed on a team will they pay the registration cost for the season. We also offer a limited number of grants for those in need of financial assistance. Email contact@nygayfootball.org for more information.

We cannot tell you exactly where each game will be until shortly before the season begins, but all of our games are played at Dewitt Clinton Park, Gansevoort Peninsula, Chelsea Waterside Park, or Pier 40 (see field details here).

If you register for the league and submit payment on time, you are guaranteed a spot on a team. If it’s your first season playing in the NYGFL, you are required to attend the Rookie Clinic, a 1-2 hour practice session where we teach you the rules of the game and basic skills.

In order to ensure equitable teams, players are drafted onto new teams every season by team captains. This means you get to meet and play with new people every season!

The NYGFL has two divisions: the Open Division and the Women's+ Division. The Open Division has no registration restrictions based on gender, but is mainly composed of individuals that identify as male. The Women's+ Division is mainly composed of individuals that identify as female. We ask that players who identify as cisgender males do not register for the Women's+ Division. (Cisgender: Relating to a person whose sense of personal identity and gender corresponds with their birth sex).

Many members of the league miss 1 or 2 games per season and still have a rewarding experience. However, if it is likely that you will miss 4 or more games during the season because of work or travel, this may not be the right season for you.

Yes! Aside from the rewarding experience that you are sure to have on the field with your own team, the league sponsors weekly social events that will allow you the opportunity to get to know other league members in a fun, social setting. We plan post-game socials, themed parties, and many other fun activities to ensure that your football experience is much more than the action on the field!

Tournaments are an excellent way to meet new people and test your skills on the road. There are currently a few different national tournaments, and members of the league have gone to each of them to participate and represent the NYGFL. The biggest tournaments each year are Pride Bowl in Chicago (on Pride weekend in June) and Gay Bowl (early October). If you want to learn more about tournaments or get involved, you can find more information here.

Possibly. Most quarterbacks are returning players, but a few newbies work their way into the mix every year. If you are interested in quarterbacking you should plan on trying out at the rookie clinic. This will allow captains the opportunity to see you throw prior to the draft. During the draft you may or may not be selected as your team's quarterback. If you are not, your best bet is to volunteer to serve as your team's backup and work with Player Development to be considered for future seasons.

Please contact the league at contact@nygayfootball.org for any other questions.