What age can my child start American football with EAFL?

From age 5. Boys and girls play in four divisions: Mighty Mites (5-7), Pee Wee (8-10), Bantam (11-13) and Varsity (14-18).

The Fall and Summer seasons are non-contact flag football. The tackle season is full-contact, with tackle equipment provided as part of membership, and players need at least six padded practices before they can play a game.

Can we try a session before joining?

Yes - EAFL offers a free, non-contact trial session with no equipment needed. Add the free trial on eafl.ae, register your child, then confirm a date with the league.

How much does membership cost?

For Fall 2026 flag football: AED 2,800 Training Only (2 practices a week), AED 1,995 for 1 practice a week, AED 3,650 All Access (training and all tournaments), one-month passes from AED 750, and tournaments at AED 265 each or AED 1,050 for all. Prices are the same in Dubai and Abu Dhabi; a 10% sibling discount applies.

Where and when does EAFL train in Dubai?

At GEMS Winchester School, near Global Village, on Mondays and Thursdays from 6-7:30pm.

How do I contact or register?

Register and buy memberships on eafl.ae under "Play Football". For questions, WhatsApp 052 234 6922 or email info@eafl.ae.

Emirates American Football League (EAFL) — photo

Emirates American Football League (EAFL) — kids American football

Ball SportsFootball

Checked Oct 2026Details checked October 2026

Dubailand

Free trial

Ages5+years and up
PriceAED 750a month, lowest price
OpenAskNot published yet
WhereDubailandOpen in Maps

Book online See timetable

The Emirates American Football League (EAFL), founded in 2011, describes itself as the longest-running American football programme in the Middle East. It runs flag and tackle football for boys and girls aged 5-18 in four age divisions, and its Dubai teams - the Stallions, Barracudas, Sandvipers and Wolves - practise at GEMS Winchester School, near Global Village. The year splits into a non-contact Fall flag football season from September, a full-contact tackle football season, and a Summer flag season. All coaches are USA Football certified, and the league says its NEXTGEN flag football programme is run in partnership with the San Francisco 49ers. New families can book a free trial session before paying for a membership. On Google, EAFL is rated 4.5 from 30 reviews.

eafl.ae Instagram Facebook TikTok YouTube

The activity

American Football, explained

American football for kids builds up from non-contact flag football (catching, throwing, footwork and ball-carrying, played by pulling a flag rather than tackling) towards full-contact tackle football as players get older and more experienced. Training develops teamwork, coordination and discipline alongside the sport's specific skills, and most leagues split players into age divisions so games stay competitive and safe. Flag football needs little more than trainers and sportswear, which makes it an easy first step; tackle football adds a helmet and pads, and players usually learn safe blocking and tackling technique before they play full games.

Who it's for

Boys and girls aged 5-18, from beginners to experienced players, in four divisions: Mighty Mites (5-7), Pee Wee (8-10), Bantam (11-13) and Varsity (14-18). The league allocates players to teams by age, skill level and team needs, and a child may play up or down a division based on age, size, ability and parent approval.

What to expect

Start with a free trial session: add it to the cart on eafl.ae at no cost, register your child separately, then confirm a date by replying to the league's email. Trials are non-contact and need no equipment - kids meet the coaches and join in the practice, and a friend is welcome to come along. Dubai practices run Mondays and Thursdays, 6-7:30pm, at GEMS Winchester School; the Fall 2026 season starts on Monday 14 September. Team uniforms and, for the tackle season, tackle equipment come with membership, and players need at least six padded practices before playing a tackle game.

Highlights

Founded in 2011 - describes itself as the longest-running American football programme in the Middle East (eafl.ae)
Boys and girls aged 5-18 in four divisions, from Mighty Mites (5-7) to Varsity (14-18) (eafl.ae)
Free non-contact trial session before joining (eafl.ae)
All coaches are USA Football certified (eafl.ae)
Dubai practices Mondays and Thursdays, 6-7:30pm, at GEMS Winchester School (eafl.ae)
4.5 rating from 30 reviews on Google

The facts

Ages: 5-18, boys and girls: Mighty Mites (5-7), Pee Wee (8-10), Bantam (11-13) and Varsity (14-18) (eafl.ae)
Prices: Fall 2026 flag football: AED 2,800 Training Only (2 practices/week)AED 1,995 Training Only (1 practice/week)AED 2,800 Training (1/week) & TournamentsAED 3,650 All Access
One-month pass: AED 995 (2/week)or AED 750 (1/week)
Tournaments: AED 265 eachor AED 1,050 for all
10% sibling discount
(eafl.ae)
Schedule: Dubai practices Mondays and Thursdays, 6-7:30pm, at GEMS Winchester School; Fall 2026 flag season starts Monday 14 September; games and tournaments at weekends (eafl.ae)
Trial: Free non-contact trial session, no equipment needed; book the free trial on eafl.ae and register your child (eafl.ae)
Where: GEMS Winchester School, Wadi Al Safa 4, Dubai
How to book: eafl.ae/products/free-trial-session-1 · +971 52 234 6922 · [email protected]

Guide · 7 min readRead: What age can children start football in Dubai?

Questions parents ask

Good to know

Team uniforms come with membership; tackle equipment is provided as part of the annual membership fee (eafl.ae)
Fall 2026 has 4-5 tournament days, included in the All Access membership or AED 265 each when bought separately (eafl.ae)
Games are played at weekends, rotating between Dubai and Abu Dhabi (eafl.ae)
10% sibling discount for a second child with the code SIBLING at checkout (eafl.ae)
Holidays, school breaks, weather and Ramadan can change event dates and times (eafl.ae)
Wheelchair-accessible car park and entrance (Google listing)