Event information

Friday Night Football Academy

Friday Night Football Academy – Summer 2026

Dates: Fridays, June 26 – July 24, 2026 (July 31st - highschool only last week)
Location: Cedar Lane Regional Park, Bel Air, MD 21015

Event Overview

The Friday Night Football Academy is a 5-week summer flag football experience designed to keep players active, engaged, and competing in a fun, fast-paced environment during the summer months.

This program is intentionally scheduled to avoid overlap with tackle football startup programs while still providing athletes an opportunity to stay sharp, develop skills, and enjoy Friday night competition.

This is not a traditional league season. It is a flexible, high-rep, experience-driven format built around participation, development, and community.

Event Format

  • Week 1 (June 26): Combine Night + Training + Mini Games
  • Weeks 2–4 (July 3, July 10, July 17): Two games per team per night
  • Week 5 (July 24): Playoff / Tournament Night

All teams will qualify for the final tournament. While wins and losses will be tracked, the final week is where competition and bragging rights take center stage.

Game Format

  • 5v5 flag football (small-sided format)
  • Two 10-minute halves (running clock with final minute stop clock)
  • Field Size: 25–30 yards wide x 50 yards long
  • Faster pace, more touches, and increased player involvement
  • Flexible roster participation to accommodate summer schedules
  • Matchups may be adjusted throughout the season to help create balanced competition

Gameplay Highlights (Summer Format)

Players will experience familiar rules with added elements to increase excitement and engagement:

  • Blitzing allowed from 7 yards
  • Quarterback may run if the defense crosses the line of scrimmage on a blitz
  • Interceptions are live and may be returned
  • Extra point attempts can be returned for points
  • All players are eligible receivers

Full rules and expectations will be posted on our Facebook page and shared with all registered participants prior to the start of the event.

Divisions

Divisions will include both Coed and All-Girls opportunities:

Coed Divisions

  • Pre-K / Kindergarten
  • 1st–2nd Grade
  • 3rd–4th Grade
  • 5th–6th Grade
  • 7th–8th Grade
  • High School JV
  • High School Varsity

All-Girls Divisions

  • K–2nd Grade
  • 3rd–5th Grade
  • 6th–8th Grade
  • High School JV
  • High School Varsity

We are especially excited to feature All-Girls High School JV and Varsity divisions, providing an important opportunity for continued growth, development, and competition within the all-girls flag football community.

Divisions may be adjusted or combined based on registration numbers to ensure the best overall experience and balanced competition.

Registration

  • Individual registration required
  • Players may request teammates or list a team/coach during registration
  • Players without a team will be placed accordingly

Early Bird Registration: $99/player through May 31
Use Promo Code: HARFORDFLAG

Standard Registration: $125/player starting June 1
Registration Deadline: June 15

Uniform & Equipment Requirements (BYOU)

This is a BYOU – Bring Your Own Uniform event.

Participants must wear:

  • All white or all black shirts
  • Shorts without pockets
  • Mouth guards are mandatory

League will provide:

  • Flag belts
  • Game equipment

Players/teams may bring their own football as long as it meets the proper size requirements for their division.

Flexibility & Experience

This program is designed specifically for summer:

  • Flexible attendance for vacations and travel
  • Reduced pressure compared to traditional seasons
  • Emphasis on development, participation, and fun
  • Balanced matchups to create competitive and enjoyable games

Community & Sponsorship Opportunities

We have sponsors interested in participating in this event, which may include:

  • Giveaways
  • Special event nights
  • Additional experiences throughout the program

Refund Policy

Due to the nature of scheduling, staffing, field reservations, and event planning, the following refund policy applies:

  • On or before June 15 (registration deadline):
    Refunds may be issued minus a $25 administrative fee
  • After June 15:
    No refunds will be issued, as teams, schedules, staffing, and event logistics will be finalized
  • Once the event has started (June 26 and beyond):
    No refunds, credits, or prorated reimbursements will be provided for missed games, scheduling conflicts, vacations, or other personal reasons
  • Weather or Unforeseen Circumstances:
    Every effort will be made to adjust scheduling where possible. Refunds will not be issued due to weather-related delays, cancellations, or circumstances beyond our control
  • Event Cancellation:
    If the program is canceled prior to the start date, a partial refund or credit may be issued at the discretion of Harford County Flag Football

Additional Information

This program is built around more than just wins and losses. It is designed to:

  • Keep kids active during the summer
  • Provide meaningful competition opportunities
  • Strengthen the Friday night community environment
  • Create a fun and engaging experience for players and families

Final Note

We expect strong demand for this program and encourage early registration to secure placement.

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