Arizona Cardinals launching Junior Cardinals Flag Football League in Calgary

Arizona Cardinals helmets sit on the sidelines during an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Indianapolis. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Zach Bolinger)

The Arizona Cardinals are launching the Junior Cardinals Flag Football League in Calgary.

The NFL team made the announcement Wednesday. Games are slated to begin Thursday.

The launch comes with the Canadian men’s and women’s flag football teams looking to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Games, where flag football will make its Olympic debut.

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This will mark the first time an NFL team has invested directly into a Canadian youth flag football league.

The league’s inaugural season will involve approximately 700 players competing in six age divisions (under-six, under-eight, under-10, under 12, under-14 and under-16). Avnet, a global electronics distributor, will provide sponsorship support for the venture.

All registered players will receive a uniform kit that includes a jersey, flags, and shorts. The Cardinals will donate the NFL Flag jerseys, flags and game footballs while Avnet will donate the shorts.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 15, 2026.

The Canadian Press