Why Choose the ACFA?

Since 2010, the ACFA Family has offered a competition structure designed to help teams establish their identity, represent their communities, and grow without unnecessary competition from nearby league members.

Kick-Off Classic

The ACFA Kick-Off Classic (KOC) is held near the center of the league’s operating region in Southern Maryland, with Baltimore and Washington, D.C., serving as the primary surrounding markets.

The event normally features a National Alliance team against an American Alliance team, unless the number or alignment of participating teams requires a different matchup.

Protected Team Territory

The ACFA maintains approximately 25 to 35 miles of separation between member teams, depending on geography, population, market conditions, and league alignment.

This structure protects each organization’s opportunity to:

  • Establish itself as the ACFA team representing its community
  • Recruit and retain local players
  • Develop local sponsors and supporters
  • Build a strong and recognizable hometown identity
  • Grow without another ACFA team operating too close to its market

Nine-Game Schedule

The ACFA uses a nine-game scheduling format designed to provide meaningful competition throughout the season:

  • 3 Kick-Off Classic games
  • 6 divisional games
  • 2 in-conference or non-conference games

The final schedule may be adjusted when necessary to account for league alignment or an uneven number of teams.

Spring, Fall or Both

The ACFA began year-round competition in September 2010. Organizations may participate in the spring season, the fall season, or both seasons when approved and available.

Spring. Fall. Both. The choice belongs to your organization.

City-to-City Competition

Every week brings an opportunity to compete for more than a victory. ACFA games create natural regional rivalries and community bragging rights:

  • Baltimore vs. Philadelphia
  • Washington, D.C. vs. Trenton
  • Richmond vs. Virginia Beach
  • York vs. Harrisburg

These matchups give teams, players, and supporters meaningful competition built around the communities they represent.

Your Team. Your Town.

The most important benefit of the ACFA structure is simple: Your team represents your town.

The league’s protected-market approach allows each organization to build a lasting identity without another ACFA team being placed too close to its community. Other leagues may offer many attractive features, but the ACFA combines protected territory, structured scheduling, seasonal flexibility, and city-to-city competition in one system designed to help teams grow.

We want ACFA membership to benefit your organization, your players, your supporters, and the community displayed across the front of your uniform.

This is the ACFA.

We look forward to the possibility of welcoming your team, representing your town, into the ACFA Family.

Read the Criteria to Join