About A7FL

About American 7s Football League

The American 7s Football League® (A7FL) has pioneered a familiar yet completely new format for America’s most popular sport: 7-on-7 football without helmets or hard shell pads. A7FL’s unique gameplay retains the toughness that fans crave while focusing on action-filled performances by its athletes. American 7s’ thrilling highlights and compelling content attract fans of all ages and drive a new younger audience of consumers while generating tens of millions of views. Founded in 2014 by CEO Sener Korkusuz and President Ryan DePaul, the Spring league (April-July) strategically added UFC® Co-Founder David Isaacs to its ranks. For more information visit A7FL.com, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or contact our email.

Athletes generally range from 18 to 30 years of age, must be 18 to play, and must sign an injury waiver. The A7FL field size is 100 x 37 yards and does not utilize the field goal posts. The narrower field width increases the pace of the action with fewer men on the field making for vicious hits while the 100-yard length maintains the grind. The quarterback has 4 eligible targets with 2 down linemen. Offenses can run bone or pistol, and there are no blitz restrictions for the defense.

History

The idea for an organized no helmets no pads football league popped into A7FL co-founder Ryan DePaul’s head late in 2002. His high School football days were over – he had to quit college football due to concussions – and he just wanted to keep playing the game he loved but in a safer format so he was playing pickup games of tackle football anywhere he could find them. In late 2005 he began to develop the format and rules for 7 on 7 no pads no helmets full contact football.

In 2014, Ryan DePaul was approached by lifelong friend, technology mogul, and serial entrepreneur, Sener Korkusuz, with the intention to elevate his new format of football to the major league level. Shortly thereafter the American 7s Football League was founded in March 2014, with the goal to introduce the newly branded sport of American 7s Football to the world.

Present

Now entering its 12th historic season in 2026, the American 7s Football League (A7FL) has pioneered a familiar yet completely new format for America’s most popular sport: 7-on-7 football without helmets or hard-shell pads. The A7FL’s unique format retains the toughness that fans of all ages crave. At the same time, its gameplay delivers action-filled performances that generate tens of millions of views and attract a new, younger audience (more than 75% are 18-34). Founded in 2014 by CEO Sener Korkusuz and President Ryan DePaul, the Spring league (April-July) also added UFC® Co-Founder David Isaacs to its ranks and has grown 10 markets across the US with over 875K social media followers and partnerships with DAZN, Creator Sports Network, Stadium, FITE, and TrillerTV.