To play flag football you need flag belts, a football, moulded cleats and a team jersey with shorts. Receiver gloves and a mouthguard are optional but common in adult leagues.
Need matching flag football jerseys for your team? We make custom flag football jerseys in Canada with no minimum order. Design work is free, names and numbers are included, and your team sees a mockup before you pay. Start your free design here.
Flag Football Equipment Starter Kit
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1. Flag Football Jerseys & Uniform
Flag football teams wear matching jerseys so quarterbacks can find a receiver at a glance, and loose jerseys over flag belts are one reason flags get stuck. We make sublimated flag football jerseys and shorts in a cut that keeps the flags clear, with names and numbers included.
New to the game? Read flag football rules.
Still need a team name? See our flag football team names.
2. Flag Belts
Most leagues supply belts, but a team set is useful for practice. Flags should release cleanly and sit on the hips, never tucked under a jersey.
- Franklin Flag Football Set, 14 Players – fourteen adult-size belts in two colours, plus cones to mark the field.
3. Football
Adult men's leagues use an official-size ball; many women's and co-ed leagues use a smaller ball. A tacky composite cover is easier to catch in the cold.
- Wilson NFL Super Grip Football – a composite official-size ball with a tacky cover.
4. Cleats
Moulded soccer or football cleats grip on grass. Metal cleats are banned in nearly every flag league.
- adidas Goletto VIII Firm Ground Cleats – a well-reviewed moulded cleat for grass and turf fields.
5. Receiver Gloves and Mouthguard
Grip gloves help catch a cold or wet ball, and a mouthguard protects against collisions on contested catches.
- Cutters Game Day Receiver Gloves – silicone palms, sold in youth and adult sizes.
- Shock Doctor Trash Talker Mouthguard – a strapless guard you can talk and drink through.
Flag Football Equipment Checklist
- Team jersey and shorts
- Flag belts
- Football
- Moulded cleats
- Receiver gloves
- Mouthguard
- Cones to mark the field
- Water bottle
FAQ
Do I need football pads for flag football?
No. Flag football is non-contact, so no helmets or pads. A mouthguard is the only protection most players wear.
What size football do adult flag leagues use?
Men's leagues usually use an official size ball; women's and many co-ed leagues use a smaller ball. Your league will say which.
Conclusion
Flag football needs very little gear. We recommend starting with moulded cleats, a set of flag belts, a football and matching team jerseys and shorts. Gloves and a mouthguard are worth adding once the weather turns.
Ready to get your team matching? Tell us your colours and logo, and we'll send a free mockup of your custom flag football jerseys. No minimum order, made in Canada, and about 4 weeks to your door once approved. Start your design.
Playing more than one sport? See our equipment lists for every sport and team names for every sport.
