> Verified August 31, 2026. Registration status has changed since this comparison was written. > Blue Chip Fall is open now and closes October 1, with games Sundays October 25 to December 13 at > Tokay High School. Blue Chip Winter is also open, closing January 10, 2027. SV6 Sports is a fall > league. Next Level takes kindergarten through 7th grade, roughly ages 5-13. Jr Flames closed 2026 > registration and its season is underway.
Lodi has three youth football programs, and choosing between them can be confusing. They serve different ages, run in different seasons, and offer very different experiences. Here's an honest breakdown.
The Quick Answer
- Want no-contact flag football this spring? → Blue Chip (ages 3-17, starts April)
- Want flag football with Nike gear in winter? → Next Level at Lodi High
- Want tackle football and/or cheerleading? → Jr Flames (fall, only tackle option)
- Child is 3-5? → Both Blue Chip (Rookie) and Jr Flames (flag/cheer) accept young kids
Blue Chip Flag Football
No-contact flag football at Tokay High School. Ages 3-17 with co-ed and all-girls GEMS divisions. Spring 2026: Sundays, April 12 - May 31. Cost $139-$180. Includes reversible jersey and flag belt. 7-9 total games (6 regular season + 1-3 playoffs). Season champs invited to Tournament of Champions at Pasadena High School. Payment plans available. Mandatory soft shell helmets and mouthpieces. Background checks on all coaches.
Parents consistently praise Blue Chip for being well-organized, emphasizing fun over winning, and giving every kid real playing time. The all-girls GEMS divisions are a standout – few leagues offer dedicated girls' flag football.
Next Level Flag Football
Newer league at Lodi High School. Ages 5-14. Winter season, 8 game dates on Sundays. Nike uniforms included. Optional premium player packs: receiver gloves ($40), Nike long-sleeve with your kid's name ($45), Nike hoodie ($60). Teams capped at 10 players max.
Price corrected September 11, 2026. This guide previously said "~$150+" and "ages 6-17". Both were wrong. Our listing says $225-$275, an outside source reports $225 flat with the difference being those optional Nike packs, and the age range is 5-14. Either way it is the most expensive flag option in Lodi, not the mid-priced one this guide implied. Confirm with Next Level before you register.
Best for kids who want the Nike gear cool factor, or families who prefer winter football. Smaller team size means more playing time per kid.
Lodi Jr Flames (Tackle and Cheer)
The only tackle football option in Lodi. Non-profit, Central Valley Youth Football & Cheer affiliated. Ages 3-14. Flag and cheer for ages 3-5 (Sparks division). Tackle football and competitive cheer for ages 6-14. Fall season August through December with playoffs, championships, and cheer nationals in Las Vegas.
Best for kids who want full-contact football with pads and helmets, or cheerleading as a competitive sport.
SV6 Sports NFL Flag Football
Fall league, ages 5-14, $189 per season. NFL-branded flag football. Added to this comparison September 11, 2026: it was in our directory but missing from this guide.
Skyhawks Flag Football (through the City of Lodi)
The cheapest way to find out whether your kid actually likes football. Runs through the City of Lodi registration system. Fall beginner (ages 6-9) and intermediate (ages 8-13) classes are $99 resident / $108 non-resident. Summer week-long camps are $177 resident / $194 non-resident.
Can My Kid Do More Than One?
Yes – and many families do. The programs run in different seasons, so conflicts are rare. A common combo is Blue Chip flag in spring and Jr Flames tackle in fall.
Frequently asked questions
How much does flag football cost in Lodi?
It varies more than most parents expect. Skyhawks classes through the City are cheapest at $99 resident / $108 non-resident. Blue Chip runs $139-$180. SV6 Sports is $189 per season. Next Level is the most expensive at $225-$275, plus optional Nike player packs at $40-$60 each.
What is the only tackle football option in Lodi?
Lodi Jr Flames. It is the only full-contact youth football we know of in Lodi, with pads and helmets, for ages 6-14. Their Sparks division for ages 3-5 is flag and cheer, not tackle.
Is there girls' flag football in Lodi?
Yes. Blue Chip runs all-girls GEMS divisions alongside its co-ed divisions. Few leagues in the area offer dedicated girls' flag football, so ask for that division specifically.
What age can my kid start flag football in Lodi?
Blue Chip takes kids from age 3 in its Rookie division, and Jr Flames takes 3-year-olds in Sparks, which is flag and cheer. Next Level and SV6 start at 5. Skyhawks beginner classes start at 6.
When is flag football season in Lodi?
Blue Chip runs fall, winter and spring leagues, so something is almost always open. SV6 and the Skyhawks classes are fall. Next Level is winter. Jr Flames tackle runs August through December.
Which one should we pick if my kid has never played?
A Skyhawks class through the City on price, or Blue Chip, which parents consistently praise for being well-organized, giving every kid real playing time, and putting fun ahead of winning. Both are no-contact.