Affiliate Program
The USA Football Affiliate Program helps youth football organizations operate with professionalism, credibility, and confidence.
Become An Affiliate Program
By becoming a USA Football Affiliate, you can access exclusive resources, tools, and protections, including the USA Football Affiliate Insurance package. These benefits elevate your program’s reputation in the community, attract more players and families, and provide peace of mind for everyone involved—on and off the field.
Get ready to elevate your program—apply now for the USA Football Affiliate Program!
GETTING STARTED
Take these three simple steps to be considered for the Affiliate Program and start raising the standard for your tackle or flag football organization today!
Affiliate Program & Member Benefits
Whether you lead a tackle or flag football organization, USA Football offers premier benefits to support leagues, empower coaches, and elevate athletes. Check out our Affiliate and Member Benefits!
- Participant Accident Insurance*
- General Liability, Management Liability, Inland Marine Insurance**
- Athlete Kickback to those Organizations that achieve Gold or Silver LEP
- Access to exclusive discounts and savings from USA Football partners and sponsors
- Official USA Football Affiliate Logos and Marks
- Online dashboard to manage your coaches and participants
- All Affiliates qualify to apply for and host USA Football Sanctioned Flag Tournaments
- USA Football Coach Certification for Flag and Tackle
- Participant Accident Insurance Coverage
- Digital Coach ID Card
- Youth Tackling and Contact System Included
- Plus, 50% off all other Systems
- Full access to USA Football Community Platform
- Full access to USA Football Resource Library
- 50% Off Football Play Card Subscription
- Additional Partner Discounts
- Participant Accident Insurance Coverage
- Digital Athlete ID Card
- USA Football Age Verification
- Eligibility for National Team Development Program
- Eligibility to Compete in USA Football Sanctioned Tournaments
- Eligibility to Compete in USA Football Signature Tournaments
- Partner & Sponsor Discounts added throughout the year
*USA Football's Participant Accident Insurance covers all Coach & Commissioner and Athlete members.
**Affiliate Organizations are covered by USA Football's General Liability, which includes Sexual Abuse and Molestation, Management Liability, which includes Employment Practices Liability, Directors & Officers, and Crime, and Inland Marine insurance coverages annually.
AFFILIATE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Organizations participating in the USA Football Affiliate Program must meet specific compliance requirements to uphold the standards and practices of USA Football.
These requirements must be fulfilled before the start of each season to maintain active membership and access program benefits.
- Each Affiliate organization must renew enrollment with USA Football annually.
- Coaches & Commissioners: All must hold an active USA Football Coach & Commissioner Membership.
- Athletes: All must hold an active USA Football Athlete Membership.
- Parents: Parents of athletes under 18 can create a free account to manage their athlete’s membership.
- Organizations must have their own Abuse Prevention Policy or adopt USA Football’s policy.
- Each organization must have a documented Emergency Action Plan in place.
- Organizations must sign and adhere to the Affiliate Agreement before receiving program benefits, including insurance coverage.
To strengthen athlete safety and program integrity, these additional compliance measures will take effect in 2026*, along with the current requirements*.
- All coaches must have a current background check on file with their organization.
- Background checks can be processed through the USA Football Member Dashboard.
- All coaches must complete or maintain an active USA Football Tackle and/or Flag Certification annually.
- Certification includes Abuse Prevention Training, as required by the insurance provider.
- Certification courses open annually in late February.
- Beginning in 2026, all Coaches and Commissioners must complete additional abuse prevention training.
- More details will be announced later this year.
*Additional requirements may apply and are subject to change.
AFFILIATE PROGRAM INSURANCE PACKAGE
USA Football’s Affiliate Program covers the cost of your comprehensive insurance package, removing a major financial burden from your organization. This allows you to allocate your budget and time toward what truly matters—building a top-tier football experience for your players, families, and coaches.
By eliminating the need to source, compare, and pay for insurance independently, you can:
- Focus on enhancing your on-field programming, from equipment upgrades to coaching development.
- Spend more time building strong relationships with your community and attracting new players.
- Streamline operations so your board and leadership team can focus on strategic growth rather than administrative headaches.
When USA Football does the heavy lifting, your program has more freedom to raise the bar and stand out as a leader in youth football.
USA Football’s Affiliate Insurance Package includes:
$100,000 Accident Medical Expense, $10,000 Accidental Death & Dismemberment.
$1,000,000 per occurrence, $3,000,000 aggregate.
$1,000,000 per occurrence, $2,000,000 aggregate.
$1,000,000 Directors & Officers and Employment Practices Liability, $25,000 Crime.
$25,000 Property Coverage.
*Participant Accident insurance is included in every Athlete & Coach and Commissioner Membership.
INSURANCE MADE EASY
Our Affiliate-exclusive insurance package is tailored to meet the unique demands of youth football programs. This top-tier coverage protects every aspect of your organization:
- General Liability Coverage: Protect your organization from unexpected claims.
- Participant Accident Coverage: Financial support for injuries during practices, games, and team events.
- Directors and Officers Liability: Protection for leadership so they can focus on growth and success.
- Inland Marine Coverage: Safeguard your valuable equipment and gear—on and off the field.
With these protections in place, you can focus on running your program while offering confidence and peace of mind to players, coaches, and parents.
AFFILIATE PROGRAM RESOURCES
Resources designed to help your tackle or flag football organization be the best, safest, and most organized in your community.
As an Affiliate, you can access your exclusive resources and benefits package here, which includes full insurance coverage, marketing and promotional support, sponsor discounts, and more.
Enrolling in your tackle or flag football program is FREE, and it's the first step to becoming an Affiliate. It's also a great way to access more resources to help you run your organization.
Access to the Director of Player Safety hub for a variety of Health & Safety resources and highlights for your organization, your coaches, your parents, and the athletes.
Get More Resources
Apply or renew to become an Affiliate and get more resources to help you run a successful, well-organized program that stands out in your area, attracts more players, fosters trust with parents, and delivers higher health and safety standards.
WHAT ORGANIZATIONS THINK ABOUT USA FOOTBALL
We asked Coaches and Commissioners of organizations for their thoughts.
"There are so many resources. I love the dedication to player safety."
USA Football Coach & Commissioner Member
"USA Football is absolutely excellent! It helps in more ways than listed on the website."
USA Football Coach & Commissioner Member
"I really didn't expect the amount of resources that would be available. It's awesome!"
USA Football Coach & Commissioner Member
(Source: 2023 Membership Research Report - Conducted by Performance Research)
The USA Football Affiliate Program is a membership initiative designed to support youth football organizations by providing them with essential resources, tools, and benefits aimed at enhancing safety, organizational excellence, and overall program health. Through this program, youth football administrators gain access to valuable assets such as health and safety training, insurance coverage, operational support, and best practices to help ensure that their organizations are well-equipped to deliver positive football experiences. Ultimately, the program seeks to foster community, support the growth of youth football, and establish a foundation of quality and safety across the sport.
Yes. This program requires USA Football Membership for coaches and athletes, and in 2025 all coaches are encouraged to have a current background check on file with their organization. Starting in 2026, coaches will be required to have a background check on file.
Organizations must first be enrolled with USA Football. Once they are enrolled, the Affiliate process for new organizations will require an application located on the admin dashboard on usafootball.com. Once approved, organizations will complete the Affiliate enrollment process. Renewing Affiliate organizations will need to be sure to reenroll annually and resubmit their Affiliate Application annually to continue to stay in the program.
The USA Football Affiliate Program provides youth football organizations with essential tools and support to operate effectively, safely, and sustainably. It strengthens organizational structure and governance, ensuring fair and safe play for all participants.
By becoming an Affiliate of USA Football aligns organizations with Football's Governing Body, enhancing credibility and excellence in youth sports. Key benefits include health and safety training, comprehensive insurance covering all members, and resources for operational best practices. Organizations can sanction leagues, verify athlete ages at no cost, and qualify for financial incentives through the League Excellence Program (LEP). Ultimately, the program empowers organizations to deliver a fun, educational, and safe football experience.
Cheer programs within an Affiliate will fall under their General Liability coverage. All cheer coaches will need to purchase a Cheer Registration ($10), and all parents will need to create accounts and purchase a Cheer Registration for their cheerleader ($10). This will ensure that cheer coaches and cheerleaders have Participant Accident Insurance Coverage.
There is no cost to become an Affiliate Program, joining is completely free. However, all participants within your organization are required to hold an active USA Football Membership.