Sign in Subscribe
Sports associations

NFL Players to Compete in Flag Football at 2028 Olympic Games

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The National Football League (NFL) and the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) announced a historic partnership that will allow NFL players to participate in flag football at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The resolution was voted on by NFL clubs at the Spring League Meeting in Eagan, Minnesota, and authorizes the league to work with the NFL Players Association, the IFAF, and Olympic authorities to implement rules governing NFL player participation. This groundbreaking move promises to bring new excitement to the Olympic Games, with NFL players having the opportunity to represent their countries on the world stage.

Key Takeaways:

  • The NFL and IFAF have partnered to allow NFL players to compete in flag football at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
  • The resolution was voted on by NFL clubs at the Spring League Meeting in Eagan, Minnesota.
  • NFL player participation will involve a tryout or qualification process in advance of the Olympic competition.
  • Flag football will feature six men's teams and six women's teams, with each team consisting of 10 players.
  • The game will be a five-on-five format.
  • NFL players will have the opportunity to represent their countries on the world stage.
  • The partnership between the NFL and IFAF promises to bring new excitement to the Olympic Games.
  • The inclusion of NFL players will add another dimension to the Olympic Games, which is shaping up to be a game-changing debut for flag football.
  • IFAF President Pierre Trochet welcomed the outcome of the vote, thanking the NFL for its commitment to flag football in the Olympic movement.
  • NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell expressed excitement about the opportunity for NFL players to compete for their country in the Olympics.
  • LA28 Chairperson and President Casey Wasserman called the 2028 Flag Football tournament at the LA28 Games "one of the most exciting competitions in Olympic history."

Statistics:

  • Flag football is governed internationally by the IOC-recognized IFAF, which has 75 member federations spanning every continent.
  • A record 31 nations and regions participated in the most recent IFAF Flag Football World Championships.
  • Flag football has 20 million players worldwide.
  • The Olympic flag football competition will feature six men's teams and six women's teams, with each team consisting of 10 players.
  • NFL player participation with their countries' national teams will involve a tryout or qualification process in advance of the Olympic competition.

Sources:

  • State Council News (no date)
  • Xinhua (no date)
  • International Federation of American Football (no date)

Read more