Flag football will be included in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, and NFL clubs have voted to allow their players to participate. This decision was made during the Spring League Meetings on Tuesday.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell expressed his support for the move, stating, “It’s an incredible honor for any athlete to represent their country in the Olympics, which is the pinnacle of global sport.” He added that there is significant interest among NFL players who are eager to compete on a global stage.
The inclusion of flag football marks its debut at the Olympic Games. The NFL will collaborate with the NFL Players Association, the International Federation of American Football (IFAF), and Olympic authorities regarding player participation.
Casey Wasserman, Chairperson and President of LA28, emphasized the importance of this development: “There is no question that the 2028 Flag Football tournament at the LA28 Games will be one of the most exciting competitions in Olympic history.”
NFL players interested in participating will join their respective countries’ teams during tryouts or qualification rounds ahead of the games. IFAF President Pierre Trochet welcomed this decision as a positive step for flag football’s presence in international sports.
Players have previously engaged with flag football during Pro Bowl Games over recent years. Minkah Fitzpatrick, an NFL safety, shared his personal connection to flag football: “Almost everyone starts out playing flag… It was my introduction to playing football and I definitely enjoyed it.”
