What is the Pacific Northwest Football League?
The Pacific Northwest Football League, or PNFL, is an open registration full contact football league for adults. Full contact means tackle football – no flags or two hand touch. Anyone age 18 and over is welcome to sign up and play. Games are on regulation fields, full 11 on 11, and 12 minute quarters.
What exactly does ‘open registration’ mean?
Open registration means anyone is allowed to sign up and play – no tryouts required. The registration process in the PNFL will operate just as it does with many other recreational sports league in the area in that anyone, regardless of experience or skill level, can sign up and play.
How much does it cost?
The fee varies each season, but players for the upcoming 2020 season will only owe between $130 and $175 for the player registration fee, with the lower amount available to those who pay their fee early. This fee includes all costs associated with the league – no additional player card required or other hidden fees on top of the registration fee.
Do I need to buy my own pads?
In the past the league did its best to provide gear and uniforms for as many players/teams as possible. Moving forward, however, players will be responsible for providing their own equipment (and uniforms, decided by the individual teams). For players providing their own gear, helmets and facemasks don't need to match your team's league provided equipment - they can be any color you want.
When does registration open up?
Registration for the 2020 session officially opened on September 16th, 2019, and it will remain open through the season's kick off. Please note, however, that early registration is strongly encouraged.
How does registration work for someone who doesn't have a team?
Registration will occur through the league website, by clicking on the 'REGISTER' page on the left navigation bar. If you do not have a team you are signing up for, you will select the "free agent" option from our dropdown list of teams in the registration form. Players who sign up as free agents will be evaluated based on their location, and placed on a team which best suits their skill level, desired positions, and location. Typically we aim to place all free agents within a week of registering.
What kinds of features are included with the league?
Aside from providing the basics, the league will also provide a number of extra features, at no extra cost. These features include team and player stats, league leaders, box scores, full game videos available on the league’s YouTube site, weekly and season awards, all league teams, and more.
Where will the games be played?
Games will be played throughout the state of Oregon and Washington in the 2020 season, from Tacoma down to Medford. All games will be played on regulation sized football fields at various high school stadiums.
What are the rules?
Please see the 'Rules' section on the left navigation bar for more info.
How long are the seasons?
The season will consist of eight regular season games for each team, plus playoffs at season's end between the top teams who qualified for the post season. Thus, each team is guaranteed at least eight games, with the potential to play as many as eleven for those who reach the championship game.
I’ve never played football before. Can I still play?
Absolutely! The beauty of an open registration league is that anyone can play, regardless of experience. Players with no football experience will be responsible for understanding the rules, but the league will do its best to accommodate anyone with limited experience, and put them in the best situation that allows for an enjoyable football experience.
Can we use ‘drop in’ players?
No, no fill in or ‘drop in’ players may play. Only players which have been officially registered are allowed to play. Ineligible players are strictly prohibited, and using an ineligible player will result in an automatic forfeit for that team.
When is practice?
This is the most common question we receive. The league is not involved in any team operations or activities, which includes practices. Thus, we are unable to tell you when, where, or how often any particular team practices, but we can say from experience that most teams seem to practice at least weekly, typically on the weekends, as we approach the season.
How many teams will be in the league?
We expect anywhere from ten to fifteen teams to compete in the 2020 season.
Do you charge admission to watch your games?
No - the league does not charge admission for games. However, if a home team intends to charge admission to any of their games, they must first get league approval.
I signed up, but I'm not sure I'll be able to play. Is there any sort of refund policy?
Absolutely! For any player registered, if for some reason you are not able to play we will issue you a full refund anytime prior to the day the first games begin. However, once games begin no refunds will be issued. That means, if you play in the first week but for some reason are unable to play again after that, you will not be entitled to a refund or a prorated fee.