A sports field marking system that is operable to measure and provide the location required on a field where a football must be advanced to in order to achieve a first down during play of a conventional football game. The sports field marking system includes a first down marker pole placed on a sideline of a football field with a second first down marker pole being placed in axial alignment with the first down marker pole on the opposing sideline. The first down marker pole and second down marker pole include laser emitters operable to project a visible light beam across the surface of the field of play. A down display marker pole is provided and is placed in axial alignment with the first down marker pole on the same sideline. A first laser rangefinder and a second laser rangefinder are mounted to the down display marker pole.