Youth Football Age Divisions

Pop Warner and NFL FLAG player age classifications for tackle and flag football.

Pop Warner Football

Pop Warner offers TWO options for tackle football programs: Traditional age/weight and Age-Based.

Important Rules:
  • A child's age on July 31 is his/her age for the season
  • 2-point stance for all linemen must be used in: TM, MM, JP, PW, 6U, 7U, 8U, 9U
  • No kickoffs permitted in: TM, MM, JP, PW, 6U, 7U, 8U, 9U
Option 2: Age-Based (No Weight Requirements)

Provides a 2-year age span for younger divisions and a 3-year age span for older divisions.

Division Ages Inclusive Birth Dates
6U 5-6 Aug 1, 2019 - July 31, 2021
7U 6-7 Aug 1, 2018 - July 31, 2020
8U 7-8 Aug 1, 2017 - July 31, 2019
9U 7-8-9 Aug 1, 2016 - July 31, 2019
10U 8-9-10 Aug 1, 2015 - July 31, 2018
11U 9-10-11 Aug 1, 2014 - July 31, 2017
12U 10-11-12 Aug 1, 2013 - July 31, 2016
13U 11-12-13 Aug 1, 2012 - July 31, 2015
14U 12-13-14 Aug 1, 2011 - July 31, 2014
Option 1: Traditional Age/Weight

Three basic years of age qualification with a fourth year for "older/lighter" players under stricter weight limits.

Division Ages Cert. Weight End of Season Older/Lighter Option
Tiny-Mite 5-6-7 35-80 lbs 89 lbs -
Mitey-Mite 7-8-9 45-105 lbs 114 lbs -
Jr. Pee Wee 8-9-10 60-120 lbs 129 lbs Age 11: 60-95 lbs (max 109 lbs)
Pee Wee 9-10-11 75-135 lbs 144 lbs Age 12: 75-110 lbs (max 124 lbs)
Jr. Varsity 10-11-12 90-160 lbs 169 lbs Age 13: 90-135 lbs (max 149 lbs)
Varsity 12-13-14 105-185 lbs 194 lbs Age 15: 105-160 lbs (max 174 lbs)
The "older/lighter" provision allows players one year beyond the normal age range to qualify under stricter weight restrictions.
Pop Warner Flag Football

Non-contact flag football divisions for all ages.

Cat
Ages 5-6
Cub
Ages 5-7
Bobcat
Ages 8-10
Wildcat
Ages 11-13
Panther
Ages 14-16
Challenger
Ages 5-18
The Challenger division is for players with special needs ages 5-18.
NFL FLAG

NFL FLAG is the official Flag Football program of the NFL.

6U
Generally 5-6
8U
Generally 7-8
10U
Generally 9-10
12U
Generally 11-12
15U
Generally 13-15
17U
Generally 15-17
Ball Size by Age
5
Pee Wee
9 & under
6
Junior
9-12
7
Youth
12-14
9
Official
14+
View Full Ball Size Guide
Tips for Parents
Know the Cutoff Date

For Pop Warner, a child's age on July 31 determines their division for the season.

Consider Flag First

Flag football is a great way for younger players to learn fundamentals before tackle.

Talk to Your League

Leagues choose which format to use. Contact them directly for registration requirements.