NFL Flag x RedZone League

As an NFL Flag affiliated league, RZL players will feel like stars in NFL team-branded uniforms and swag.

Community Based Teams

The league creates teams based on where players live and attend school. There are no tryouts or coach/parent-dictated teams.

Competitive Matchup Balancing

After a few weeks, subsequent matchups are based on performance in an effort to have teams play against others that are competitively similar as the season goes on.

Night Games Under the Lights

No waiting for Friday night lights. Our weeknight schedule means some games will be played under lighted fields.

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Tap the squares above to learn more about a particular aspect of an RZL season.

2026 Season Details

Iowa City

Grade Divisions

1st-2nd
3rd-4th
5th-6th

Grades for the fall of 2026

Team Assignment

Teams assigned by the league using geographic criteria such as school & community residence.

Schedule

1st-2nd: Mondays
3rd-4th: Thursdays
5th-6th: Tuesdays

Games starts at 5:30, 6:30, & 7:30

Some off night games may occur due to field availability overflow

All teams play 7 games. Season begins the last week in August, ends in mid October

Game Locations

Napoleon Park, Iowa City
SRNA Field, Solon
Old HS Stadium, Mount Vernon

Most games occur in Iowa City

We aim to schedule teams for locations closest to where they're coming from

Equipment

Reversible NFL-Flag branded team uniform
NFL-flag set

Players keep these items at the end of the season

Team shorts, gloves, socks, and other items available to add-on

Registration Fee

$134

There is a $15 early bird discount through April 15

There is a $15 late fee after the July 6 priority registration deadline

No gate fees and no overnight hotel stays required

Priority Registration Deadline

July 6

Registrations accepted after this date only where openings remain

Other Program Features

Professional & experienced league administrators
Competitively balanced scheduling
Bowls games for every team to end season

For more info about practices, coaches, and other season details, scroll down to the Frequently Asked Questions section below.

Thanks to these restaurant partners!

Frequently Asked Questions

Iowa City flag football seasoN

Registration

Is this for the fall season? Yes. The RedZone League season runs in the fall from late August-October. We do not run a spring football league.

When does registration open & close deadline? Registration for the season opens on April 1. A priority placement deadline occurs in mid July. Registering by this date guarantees a spot in the program and exponentially increase the likelihood of being placed on a team with schoolmates. We accept late registrations after the priority deadline only if placements remain and until the last uniform order is made.

What is the cost & refund policy? In 2025, the base registration fee was $129. There was a $15 early bird discount through April 14 and a $15 late fee after the priority deadline. Refunds requested before the priority deadline, received a flat $90 refund on the registration plus any additional apparel that was ordered. There are no refunds for cancellations after the priority deadline.

What does the fee include? Participants receive a reversible NFL team jersey + flag set that they may keep at the end of the season. All teams will have at least 7 games (6 regular, 1 post season). All participants will be covered by accident insurance via NFL Flag.

What are the age groups? The league has three age divisions. 1st-2nd | 3rd-4th | 5th-6th

TEAM & ROSTER ASSIGNMENTS

How are teams/rosters picked? All team assignments and player placements are appointed by RedZone. We use school & community based criteria when assigning players to teams. Some teams may consist of players all from the same school while others may have players from a combination of closely located or related schools.

Can we request a teammate or a coach? No, we do not take such requests. Participants are to be solely assigned a team based on where they go to school. We do not place participants together because a coach requested them, because they are on the same team in a different sport, because their parents are friends, or because they plan to carpool together. Siblings living in the same household will be placed together.

Who are the coaches and how are they chosen? Coaches are volunteer parents. Coaches must register with the league, are subject to a background check, and are encouraged to attend a clinic and/or engage with other training resources from the league. We prefer Head Coaches with previous RedZone League or other coaching experience. We do welcome new coaches and provide resources to help all coaches in the program have the tools they need to lead a great season.

PRACTICE

When/where are the practices? Who will contact me about this? Practices dates, times, and locations are determined by your coaches. Your coach should make contact sometime by the first week of August with practice to begin soon after.

How frequently are practices? Generally, practice should occur twice per week. This may be heavier before game begin, and could be lighter on during weeks with inclement weather or conflicts for the entire coaching staff. Arriving 45 minutes or more before a game to work on plays and strategy can constitute a team practice.

GAME DAY INFO

When are games played? Games are played once a week. They occur on weeknights. Games begin at 5:30, 6:30 & 7:30. We make an effort to rotate start times so no team always has the early or late game. Game days are subject to change periodically due to number of teams and number of fields available.

1st-2nd grade plays on Mondays
5th-6th grade plays on Tuesdays
3rd-4th grade plays on Thursdays.

Where are games played? Most games are played at Napoleon Park in Iowa City. We do however host some games at over-flow or satellite parks when needed. These have traditionally occurred in Solon & Mount Vernon. Teams from nearby are assigned for these off-site games in an effort to reduce their travel.

How is competitive balanced achieved in scheduling? All teams in each age division are assigned to a Gold or Silver division after 2-3 games. Teams will play remaining games against other teams within the same competitive pool for the rest of the season.

What are the playing time rules? Every player must play 3 series per half. This could be twice on offense, twice on defense, and one of each. Beyond that, playing time and player usage is up to the coaches discretion. There is no such rule that everyone must play the same amount. It is perfectly acceptable for a player's playing time to reflect that of their practice attendance.