The New York Jets have successfully expanded their NFL Girls Flag League in Dublin, with participation doubling for the 2026 edition following a triumphant inaugural season. This program represents the first organized girls’ flag football league in Ireland, providing a fast-paced, accessible pathway for young athletes to engage with the sport.
2026 Season Launch Details
To celebrate the start of the program’s second year, the Jets welcomed 160 girls (aged 12–15) from 16 schools across Dublin to the Sport Ireland Campus. The launch featured:
- Official Team Kits: Participants were presented with official Nike kits for the 2026 season.
- Professional Engagement: Jets linebackers Jamien Sherwood and Marcelino McCrary-Ball joined head coach Mickey McDermott for a Q&A session to discuss the global growth of the game and the impact of sport on young athletes.
- Skills Training: Participants took part in a quarterback camp and various skills-and-drills stations, introducing many of the girls to the fundamental techniques of flag football.
Strategic Context: Global Growth of Flag Football
Flag football is currently one of the fastest-growing sports globally, with over 20 million participants across more than 100 countries. The sport’s rise is driven by several key factors:
- Accessibility and Inclusivity: As a non-contact sport, flag football reduces the physical risk associated with tackle football, making it a highly inclusive option for all genders and skill levels.
- Olympic Inclusion: The sport is set to make its debut at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, further heightening its global profile and attracting new interest from youth audiences.
- Empowering Female Athletes: The NFL has identified women and girls as a major driver of the sport’s recent growth, with flagship initiatives like the Jets’ league aiming to provide welcoming, high-quality pathways for female participation.
The NFL Global Markets Program
This Dublin initiative is made possible through the NFL’s Global Markets Program (GMP). Awarded international marketing rights for Ireland in 2024, the New York Jets are leveraging this framework to:
- Build Brand Awareness: Connect with international fanbases through localized marketing and grassroots development.
- Community Engagement: Invest in community projects and youth development to create a lasting footprint in the region.
- Commercial Partnerships: Foster long-term relationships with local institutions, such as American Football Ireland, to ensure the sport’s sustainable growth at the grassroots level.