Pro Flag Football Update
The NFL has announced a partnership with TMRW Sports to develop and operate a professional flag football league for women and men. A launch timeline is expected to align with flag football's Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. "As the flag football movement continues its explosive global growth, a professional flag league completes the pathway for elite athletes to compete at every level of the game, from youth to high school and college, to the Olympic stage, and now professionally," said Troy Vincent Sr., NFL executive vice President of football operations. "This is especially meaningful for girls and young women who are helping drive the sport's growth worldwide and who can now see their dreams in this game extend all the way to the professional level. "Selecting TMRW Sports represents an important step in our long-term commitment to growing flag football and supporting the world-class athletes driving its momentum." The new league will be supported by "a broad and influential investor pool" that will include NFL clubs, current players and Pro Football Hall of Famers that includes Joe Montana, Steve Young, Peyton Manning and Larry Fitzgerald, and other NFL legends that includes Tom Brady and Eli Manning. The NFL's decision to invest in flag football comes at a time of immense growth for the sport. With 20 million players worldwide, flag football is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. In the United States alone, approximately 4.1 million youth play flag football, which is more than a 50% increase since 2020. Flag football is currently offered at the high school level in 39 states. Specifically, flag football has seen a rapid growth in terms of women participants. The number of young women playing on their high school teams increasing by nearly 60% from 2024 to 2025. More than 100 colleges and universities across the United States currently offer women's flag football. The University of Nebraska recently became the first Power Four Division I program to launch a varsity women's flag football team.
The NFL announced Monday , March 30, 2026, that it will launch a new flag football league, according to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport.
Here is the official announcement from the NFL website.The NFL has announced a partnership with TMRW Sports to develop and operate a professional flag football league for women and men. A launch timeline is expected to align with flag football's Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
"As the flag football movement continues its explosive global growth, a professional flag league completes the pathway for elite athletes to compete at every level of the game, from youth to high school and college, to the Olympic stage, and now professionally," said Troy Vincent Sr., NFL executive vice President of football operations. "This is especially meaningful for girls and young women who are helping drive the sport's growth worldwide and who can now see their dreams in this game extend all the way to the professional level.
"Selecting TMRW Sports represents an important step in our long-term commitment to growing flag football and supporting the world-class athletes driving its momentum."
The new league will be supported by "a broad and influential investor pool" that will include NFL clubs, current players and Pro Football Hall of Famers that includes Joe Montana, Steve Young, Peyton Manning and Larry Fitzgerald, and other NFL legends that includes Tom Brady and Eli Manning.
"Flag football represents so much of what makes this game special, showcasing the skill, creativity, and competitiveness that define this sport," said Brady, who recently took part in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic. "Flag football's rapid rise has been incredible, and the extensive list of current and former players supporting this league shows just how strongly athletes believe in its future. I'm excited to help take this sport to even greater heights through the launch of a professional flag football league."
The NFL's decision to invest in flag football comes at a time of immense growth for the sport. With 20 million players worldwide, flag football is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. In the United States alone, approximately 4.1 million youth play flag football, which is more than a 50% increase since 2020. Flag football is currently offered at the high school level in 39 states.
Specifically, flag football has seen a rapid growth in terms of women participants. The number of young women playing on their high school teams increasing by nearly 60% from 2024 to 2025. More than 100 colleges and universities across the United States currently offer women's flag football. The University of Nebraska recently became the first Power Four Division I program to launch a varsity women's flag football team.“The NFL announced today that it is partnering with TMRW Sports to develop and operate a professional flag football league for women and men. The new professional league will launch with support from a broad and influential investor pool, including NFL clubs, established institutional and strategic investors, and current and former NFL players.
This initiative comes at a time of strong global momentum for flag football, as the sport grows, attracts more commercial interest, and draws engagement from potential investment, media, and sponsorship partners. This surge reflects the significant long‑term market opportunity surrounding flag football as it continues its transformation into a premier global sport.
Driving the investment group supporting the launch of the league is a list of NFL legends and active players, including Pro Football Hall of Famers Peyton Manning, Joe Montana, Steve Young, and Larry Fitzgerald, as well as Tom Brady, Eli Manning, Justin Tuck, Ryan Nece, and Dhani Jones, and current players Arik Armstead, Bobby Wagner, and Russell Wilson. Together, they are investing in the league’s future and helping to shape its long‑term vision as both stakeholders and ambassadors.
In addition, a number of other prominent figures from the sports and entertainment world are also part of the investment group, including women’s sports champions Billie Jean King, Ilana Kloss, Alex Morgan, and Serena Williams.”
Current and former NFL stars participated in a sponsored flag football event last weekend, and the sport will be introduced at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. WOMEN NATIONAL FLAG CONFERENCE The WNFC is the premier WOMEN flag football experience. It gives athletes, coaches, and teams the chance to compete at the highest level while growing the game we love. The WNFC is committed to serving as the professional destination for women who want to keep playing the game at the highest level. As collegiate flag football grows, it complements women’s tackle football by broadening participation, sharpening skills, and expanding the pool of elite athletes prepared to compete professionally. This is progress built on opportunity, access, and belief in women’s football. And it’s another signal that the pathway from college to the pros is not only possible but continuing to strengthen. The Women’s National Football Conference is proud to announce the nationwide expansion of its flag football program, bringing regional women’s flag tournaments to all 16 WNFC markets. FAQ: How many teams are in the WNFC?Headed into the 2026 season, there will be 16 WNFC teams across the U.S.:1) Atlanta Truth2) Chicago Winds3) Florida Avengers4) Golden State Storm 5) Jersey Shore Wave6) Kansas City Glory7) Las Vegas Silver Stars8) Los Angeles Legends9) Mississippi Panthers10) Oregon Ravens11) San Diego Rebellion12) Seattle Majestics13) Tennessee Trojans14) Texas Elite Spartans15) Utah Falconz16) Washington Prodigy How long has the WNFC been around?The WNFC was launched in 2018 with a mission to build women's football to a professional level by creating equitable opportunities for women and girls in the sport of football. The inaugural WNFC season took place in 2019 with 15 teams across the country. When does the season begin and end?The WNFC season runs in the spring, typically kicking off the first weekend in April and ending with our IX Cup Championship Game at the end of June. Will players be paid?The WNFC is operating in a very strategic manner to significantly decrease the financial burden on teams (by increasing revenue, sponsorship, and investment opportunities). Player responsibilities and compensation is a team decision, and our goal is to minimize that responsibility. The team owners in the WNFC are working hard to change the narrative of womens football, which is why they joined this league. There are a lot of steps that we must take before women's football can become a professional sport. Will the games be televised?It is our goal every year to provide a platform where all WNFC games can be viewed live & on demand. Victory+ is our media partner and you can catch ALL WNFC games on their platform for FREE. The Women's National Football Conference (WNFC) is a pioneer in the sports streaming services industry. Where will the Championship game be held?For the last four years the WNFC has hosted the IX Cup Championship weekend in Frisco, TX at the Ford Center at the Star (also known as Dallas Cowboys HQ's). We are currently accepting bids to host the 2026 WNFC IX Cup Championship Weekend. Please email ejenkins@wnfcwomensfootball.com for more info. Will there be an All - Pro Team and/or game?Yes! Every year the top 100 WNFC athletes are selected to participate in the ALL PRO game, and other festivities, as part of WNFC IX Cup Championship Weekend. NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE An NFL-owned professional flag football league is coming soon.NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell recently said that a flag football league will be in place within the next couple years, which would put its launch ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, where flag football will make its debut as an Olympic sport. “We’re committed to creating a women’s professional league, and a men’s professional flag league. We’ve had a great deal of interest in that and I expect that we’ll be able to do that, launch that, in the next couple of years,” Goodell said, via the Associated Press. Goodell said the NFL sees strong interest in flag football, from fans and from participants.“The demand is there. We’re seeing colleges in the states and universities internationally also that want to make it a part of their program,” Goodell said. “If you set that structure up where there’s youth leagues, going into high school, into college and then professional, I think you can develop a system of scale. That’s an important infrastructure that we need to create.” The NFL has invested heavily in promoting flag football. It advocated for adding flag football to the Olympics, it has pushed for flag football to become a girls' varsity sport in high schools in all 50 states, and it has turned the Pro Bowl into a flag football game. With a flag football league in the works, the league is going all-in on flag football. The NFL’s investment in flag football is continuing with an announcement that the league’s owners have voted to launch and financially support a professional flag football league. The NFL’s goals of expanding flag football starts with Roger Goodell. The league played a major role in getting flag football included in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. NFL owners have approved a proposal for players to participate in flag football at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The vote Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at the spring league meeting in Minneapolis was unanimous. "It's an incredible honor for any athlete to represent their country in the Olympics, which is the pinnacle of global sport," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. "I know first hand that the inclusion of flag football in the Olympics has sparked a tremendous amount of excitement among NFL players interested in the chance to compete for their country on the world stage. We are thrilled that they will now have that chance. Also, the 2026 Pro Bowl Games, taking place during Super Bowl LX week in the San Francisco Bay Area, feature an AFC vs. NFC 7-on-7 flag football showdown. The event includes skills challenges and aims to highlight the sport ahead of its 2028 Olympics debut. Aaron Rogers is a big fan of the sport, recently holding a fundraising tournament and hinting he may play it after his NFL career. Rodgers said in a statement “The recent growth of flag football has been exciting to watch. With it being an Olympic sport in 2028 and the potential for the NFL players to get involved, who knows? It could be part of the next chapter in my football career.” According to Rogers.
Brock Purdy is the only Mr. Irrelevant (Last pick in draft) to ever throw an NFL pass, much less lead his team to a Super Bowl. However, his uncommon road to NFL stardom began much earlier and might well be the path of the future. Purdy was a product of flag football, having played until he was 12 years old prior to making the transition to tackle football. “Any time I’m talking to family and friends, I always encourage kids growing up to start off with flag football and play really as long as they can to help develop those kinds of skills.”
Steve Smith Sr., five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver, was a kid growing up in Los Angeles. He switched to flag football because playing Pop Warner was a financial burden and he didn’t play tackle again until high school. Smith ended up becoming a two-time All-Pro who played 16 seasons with the Carolina Panthers and Baltimore Ravens.
Ray Lewis III, son of Baltimore Ravens legend Ray Lewis, has been posthumously diagnosed with CTE, the Concussion Legacy Foundation announced in a press release. His mother, Tatyanna McCall, suspected he was battling the disease. “Little did I know when I put my son in tackle football at age 5, I ran the risk of having to bury him 22 years later,” McCall said in the press release. “I would have done something different now knowing the risks. We need to wait until our babies are at least 14 to allow them to play tackle football. NEW YORK – Jan. 27, 2026 – The NFL announced today that the third annual NFL Flag Championships Presented by Toyota will move to Westfield, IN, from July 23-26, 2026, with the championship games scheduled for Sunday, July 26. Operated by RCX Sports, this year’s event will take place at the Droplight Grand Park Sports Campus, a 400-plus-acre sports complex featuring more than 30 multi-purpose fields in the Indianapolis metro area. The NFL Flag Championships are the largest youth flag football tournament in the world, and this year’s event marks the biggest iteration yet, with more than 350 girls and boys teams from across the globe participating. The tournament has quickly become the premier stage for youth athletes to compete at the highest level, showcasing the growing popularity and international reach of flag football. “We’re thrilled to bring the NFL Flag Championships to Westfield, Indiana for what will be our biggest and most exciting tournament yet,” said Peter O’Reilly, NFL EVP of Events, International and Club Business. “Flag football’s global growth, accelerated by its upcoming inclusion in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, has been remarkable, and that momentum will be on full display with thousands of young athletes traveling from around the world to compete in the NFL Flag Championships. The greater Indianapolis area has a rich football tradition, and we are looking forward to creating even more unforgettable moments for these athletes and the community.”
ESPN will once again provide live coverage of the tournament, bringing the excitement of youth flag football to fans everywhere. Starting Friday, July 24, through the championship games on Sunday, July 26, games will be available on ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, ESPN Deportes and NFL+, with select games also available on Disney+, Disney Channel, Disney XD, the ESPN App and ESPN on YouTube. Games will also be available in select international markets. “The NFL Flag Championship has quickly become a marquee event on our summer programming calendar, and this year’s move to Westfield, Indiana marks an exciting next chapter,” said Mark Gross, ESPN Sr. Vice President, Sports Production. “With an NFL-caliber facility at Grand Park and a strong football culture, Indiana provides a great setting for an event of this scale, and we’re proud to showcase these young athletes and the continued growth of flag football across ESPN platforms.” The move to Indiana continues the NFL’s storied history with the region, which has hosted numerous marquee league events. Home to the Indianapolis Colts and the annual NFL Scouting Combine, the area has long been a hub for football innovation and talent development. Its world-class facilities and passionate fan base make it the perfect backdrop for the NFL Flag Championships, continuing the tradition of bringing the tournament to communities that live and breathe football. “For 50 years, our region has been known around the globe for our expertise and success in hosting the world’s greatest sporting events, and we’re proud to welcome the NFL Flag Championships to this storied tradition,” said Kalen Jackson, Colts Owner & Chief Brand Officer. “The Colts are excited and completely invested in the growth of flag football in Indiana and around the world, so we look forward to working with stakeholders from Westfield, Droplight Grand Park Sports Campus and across the Indianapolis region to make this the best flag tournament to date anywhere.” “As the nation’s largest and preeminent youth sports campus in the country, we are thrilled to have been selected by the NFL for this world-class event,” explained Greg Stremlaw, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Grand Park Sports & Entertainment. “As the operator of the campus, it has been a key objective of ours to diversify our sport base and we are investing significantly into flag football in multiple ways as part of a multi-faceted flag football vision. One of those objectives was to see the NFL Flag Football Championships make Grand Park home in a multi-year partnership with the NFL.” “Hamilton County, Indiana, has built a reputation as a destination where champions play, and we are certain that this NFL Flag Championship at Droplight Grand Park Sports Campus will be one to remember,” said Hamilton County Tourism President & CEO Karen Radcliff. “Our team looks forward to welcoming these world-class athletes to Hamilton County, thanks to collaborative efforts by our affiliate the Hamilton County Sports Authority and our partners throughout the region.” "The NFL Flag Championships have truly become the premier global stage for youth football,” said Izell Reese, CEO of RCX Sports. “Each year, the event continues to raise the bar in scale, competition, and overall impact. This year’s championship will bring together more than 350 teams from around the world at a world-class venue. The energy, talent, and international reach we’re seeing are a powerful reflection of the extraordinary momentum behind flag football’s growth. We’re incredibly proud to partner with the NFL to deliver an unforgettable experience for hundreds of young athletes and their families.” “We are honored to welcome the NFL Flag Championships to Westfield and to showcase Grand Park on an international stage,” stated Westfield Mayor Scott Willis. “This event brings the world to our community and highlights why Westfield has become a premier destination for youth sports, hospitality, and unforgettable experiences.” Flag football is one of the fastest growing sports in the world, with 20 million players globally, and will make its Olympic debut in Los Angeles in 2028. Recently, NFL clubs voted to support financially the development and launch of a professional flag football league. In addition, the NCAA recently approved the addition of flag football to the Emerging Sports for Women program, an important step in establishing flag as a varsity women’s sport across the NCAA. Flag football is now offered for girls at the high school level in 38 states, and more than 100 colleges and universities have women's flag football programs. In Indiana, the Colts have led the charge to grow youth flag football across the state, including launching the Colts Flag Football Leagues, a statewide network that connects young athletes to NFL Flag-sanctioned programs. The Colts have also committed $1 million to support girls high school flag football and have advanced numerous initiatives designed to increase access and participation.
The NFL is seeking to capitalize on the international attention on flag football that will come with the sport appearing in the Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028. The league also sees flag football as a way to attract more women, and it has supported efforts that have made girls’ flag football a high school sport in 38 states.
Here is the official announcement from the NFL website.The NFL has announced a partnership with TMRW Sports to develop and operate a professional flag football league for women and men. A launch timeline is expected to align with flag football's Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
"As the flag football movement continues its explosive global growth, a professional flag league completes the pathway for elite athletes to compete at every level of the game, from youth to high school and college, to the Olympic stage, and now professionally," said Troy Vincent Sr., NFL executive vice President of football operations. "This is especially meaningful for girls and young women who are helping drive the sport's growth worldwide and who can now see their dreams in this game extend all the way to the professional level.
"Selecting TMRW Sports represents an important step in our long-term commitment to growing flag football and supporting the world-class athletes driving its momentum."
The new league will be supported by "a broad and influential investor pool" that will include NFL clubs, current players and Pro Football Hall of Famers that includes Joe Montana, Steve Young, Peyton Manning and Larry Fitzgerald, and other NFL legends that includes Tom Brady and Eli Manning.
"Flag football represents so much of what makes this game special, showcasing the skill, creativity, and competitiveness that define this sport," said Brady, who recently took part in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic. "Flag football's rapid rise has been incredible, and the extensive list of current and former players supporting this league shows just how strongly athletes believe in its future. I'm excited to help take this sport to even greater heights through the launch of a professional flag football league."
The NFL's decision to invest in flag football comes at a time of immense growth for the sport. With 20 million players worldwide, flag football is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. In the United States alone, approximately 4.1 million youth play flag football, which is more than a 50% increase since 2020. Flag football is currently offered at the high school level in 39 states.
Specifically, flag football has seen a rapid growth in terms of women participants. The number of young women playing on their high school teams increasing by nearly 60% from 2024 to 2025. More than 100 colleges and universities across the United States currently offer women's flag football. The University of Nebraska recently became the first Power Four Division I program to launch a varsity women's flag football team.“The NFL announced today that it is partnering with TMRW Sports to develop and operate a professional flag football league for women and men. The new professional league will launch with support from a broad and influential investor pool, including NFL clubs, established institutional and strategic investors, and current and former NFL players.
This initiative comes at a time of strong global momentum for flag football, as the sport grows, attracts more commercial interest, and draws engagement from potential investment, media, and sponsorship partners. This surge reflects the significant long‑term market opportunity surrounding flag football as it continues its transformation into a premier global sport.
Driving the investment group supporting the launch of the league is a list of NFL legends and active players, including Pro Football Hall of Famers Peyton Manning, Joe Montana, Steve Young, and Larry Fitzgerald, as well as Tom Brady, Eli Manning, Justin Tuck, Ryan Nece, and Dhani Jones, and current players Arik Armstead, Bobby Wagner, and Russell Wilson. Together, they are investing in the league’s future and helping to shape its long‑term vision as both stakeholders and ambassadors.
In addition, a number of other prominent figures from the sports and entertainment world are also part of the investment group, including women’s sports champions Billie Jean King, Ilana Kloss, Alex Morgan, and Serena Williams.”
Current and former NFL stars participated in a sponsored flag football event last weekend, and the sport will be introduced at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. WOMEN NATIONAL FLAG CONFERENCE The WNFC is the premier WOMEN flag football experience. It gives athletes, coaches, and teams the chance to compete at the highest level while growing the game we love. The WNFC is committed to serving as the professional destination for women who want to keep playing the game at the highest level. As collegiate flag football grows, it complements women’s tackle football by broadening participation, sharpening skills, and expanding the pool of elite athletes prepared to compete professionally. This is progress built on opportunity, access, and belief in women’s football. And it’s another signal that the pathway from college to the pros is not only possible but continuing to strengthen. The Women’s National Football Conference is proud to announce the nationwide expansion of its flag football program, bringing regional women’s flag tournaments to all 16 WNFC markets. FAQ: How many teams are in the WNFC?Headed into the 2026 season, there will be 16 WNFC teams across the U.S.:1) Atlanta Truth2) Chicago Winds3) Florida Avengers4) Golden State Storm 5) Jersey Shore Wave6) Kansas City Glory7) Las Vegas Silver Stars8) Los Angeles Legends9) Mississippi Panthers10) Oregon Ravens11) San Diego Rebellion12) Seattle Majestics13) Tennessee Trojans14) Texas Elite Spartans15) Utah Falconz16) Washington Prodigy How long has the WNFC been around?The WNFC was launched in 2018 with a mission to build women's football to a professional level by creating equitable opportunities for women and girls in the sport of football. The inaugural WNFC season took place in 2019 with 15 teams across the country. When does the season begin and end?The WNFC season runs in the spring, typically kicking off the first weekend in April and ending with our IX Cup Championship Game at the end of June. Will players be paid?The WNFC is operating in a very strategic manner to significantly decrease the financial burden on teams (by increasing revenue, sponsorship, and investment opportunities). Player responsibilities and compensation is a team decision, and our goal is to minimize that responsibility. The team owners in the WNFC are working hard to change the narrative of womens football, which is why they joined this league. There are a lot of steps that we must take before women's football can become a professional sport. Will the games be televised?It is our goal every year to provide a platform where all WNFC games can be viewed live & on demand. Victory+ is our media partner and you can catch ALL WNFC games on their platform for FREE. The Women's National Football Conference (WNFC) is a pioneer in the sports streaming services industry. Where will the Championship game be held?For the last four years the WNFC has hosted the IX Cup Championship weekend in Frisco, TX at the Ford Center at the Star (also known as Dallas Cowboys HQ's). We are currently accepting bids to host the 2026 WNFC IX Cup Championship Weekend. Please email ejenkins@wnfcwomensfootball.com for more info. Will there be an All - Pro Team and/or game?Yes! Every year the top 100 WNFC athletes are selected to participate in the ALL PRO game, and other festivities, as part of WNFC IX Cup Championship Weekend. NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE An NFL-owned professional flag football league is coming soon.NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell recently said that a flag football league will be in place within the next couple years, which would put its launch ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, where flag football will make its debut as an Olympic sport. “We’re committed to creating a women’s professional league, and a men’s professional flag league. We’ve had a great deal of interest in that and I expect that we’ll be able to do that, launch that, in the next couple of years,” Goodell said, via the Associated Press. Goodell said the NFL sees strong interest in flag football, from fans and from participants.“The demand is there. We’re seeing colleges in the states and universities internationally also that want to make it a part of their program,” Goodell said. “If you set that structure up where there’s youth leagues, going into high school, into college and then professional, I think you can develop a system of scale. That’s an important infrastructure that we need to create.” The NFL has invested heavily in promoting flag football. It advocated for adding flag football to the Olympics, it has pushed for flag football to become a girls' varsity sport in high schools in all 50 states, and it has turned the Pro Bowl into a flag football game. With a flag football league in the works, the league is going all-in on flag football. The NFL’s investment in flag football is continuing with an announcement that the league’s owners have voted to launch and financially support a professional flag football league. The NFL’s goals of expanding flag football starts with Roger Goodell. The league played a major role in getting flag football included in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. NFL owners have approved a proposal for players to participate in flag football at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The vote Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at the spring league meeting in Minneapolis was unanimous. "It's an incredible honor for any athlete to represent their country in the Olympics, which is the pinnacle of global sport," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. "I know first hand that the inclusion of flag football in the Olympics has sparked a tremendous amount of excitement among NFL players interested in the chance to compete for their country on the world stage. We are thrilled that they will now have that chance. Also, the 2026 Pro Bowl Games, taking place during Super Bowl LX week in the San Francisco Bay Area, feature an AFC vs. NFC 7-on-7 flag football showdown. The event includes skills challenges and aims to highlight the sport ahead of its 2028 Olympics debut. Aaron Rogers is a big fan of the sport, recently holding a fundraising tournament and hinting he may play it after his NFL career. Rodgers said in a statement “The recent growth of flag football has been exciting to watch. With it being an Olympic sport in 2028 and the potential for the NFL players to get involved, who knows? It could be part of the next chapter in my football career.” According to Rogers.
Brock Purdy is the only Mr. Irrelevant (Last pick in draft) to ever throw an NFL pass, much less lead his team to a Super Bowl. However, his uncommon road to NFL stardom began much earlier and might well be the path of the future. Purdy was a product of flag football, having played until he was 12 years old prior to making the transition to tackle football. “Any time I’m talking to family and friends, I always encourage kids growing up to start off with flag football and play really as long as they can to help develop those kinds of skills.”
Steve Smith Sr., five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver, was a kid growing up in Los Angeles. He switched to flag football because playing Pop Warner was a financial burden and he didn’t play tackle again until high school. Smith ended up becoming a two-time All-Pro who played 16 seasons with the Carolina Panthers and Baltimore Ravens.
Ray Lewis III, son of Baltimore Ravens legend Ray Lewis, has been posthumously diagnosed with CTE, the Concussion Legacy Foundation announced in a press release. His mother, Tatyanna McCall, suspected he was battling the disease. “Little did I know when I put my son in tackle football at age 5, I ran the risk of having to bury him 22 years later,” McCall said in the press release. “I would have done something different now knowing the risks. We need to wait until our babies are at least 14 to allow them to play tackle football. NEW YORK – Jan. 27, 2026 – The NFL announced today that the third annual NFL Flag Championships Presented by Toyota will move to Westfield, IN, from July 23-26, 2026, with the championship games scheduled for Sunday, July 26. Operated by RCX Sports, this year’s event will take place at the Droplight Grand Park Sports Campus, a 400-plus-acre sports complex featuring more than 30 multi-purpose fields in the Indianapolis metro area. The NFL Flag Championships are the largest youth flag football tournament in the world, and this year’s event marks the biggest iteration yet, with more than 350 girls and boys teams from across the globe participating. The tournament has quickly become the premier stage for youth athletes to compete at the highest level, showcasing the growing popularity and international reach of flag football. “We’re thrilled to bring the NFL Flag Championships to Westfield, Indiana for what will be our biggest and most exciting tournament yet,” said Peter O’Reilly, NFL EVP of Events, International and Club Business. “Flag football’s global growth, accelerated by its upcoming inclusion in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, has been remarkable, and that momentum will be on full display with thousands of young athletes traveling from around the world to compete in the NFL Flag Championships. The greater Indianapolis area has a rich football tradition, and we are looking forward to creating even more unforgettable moments for these athletes and the community.”
ESPN will once again provide live coverage of the tournament, bringing the excitement of youth flag football to fans everywhere. Starting Friday, July 24, through the championship games on Sunday, July 26, games will be available on ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, ESPN Deportes and NFL+, with select games also available on Disney+, Disney Channel, Disney XD, the ESPN App and ESPN on YouTube. Games will also be available in select international markets. “The NFL Flag Championship has quickly become a marquee event on our summer programming calendar, and this year’s move to Westfield, Indiana marks an exciting next chapter,” said Mark Gross, ESPN Sr. Vice President, Sports Production. “With an NFL-caliber facility at Grand Park and a strong football culture, Indiana provides a great setting for an event of this scale, and we’re proud to showcase these young athletes and the continued growth of flag football across ESPN platforms.” The move to Indiana continues the NFL’s storied history with the region, which has hosted numerous marquee league events. Home to the Indianapolis Colts and the annual NFL Scouting Combine, the area has long been a hub for football innovation and talent development. Its world-class facilities and passionate fan base make it the perfect backdrop for the NFL Flag Championships, continuing the tradition of bringing the tournament to communities that live and breathe football. “For 50 years, our region has been known around the globe for our expertise and success in hosting the world’s greatest sporting events, and we’re proud to welcome the NFL Flag Championships to this storied tradition,” said Kalen Jackson, Colts Owner & Chief Brand Officer. “The Colts are excited and completely invested in the growth of flag football in Indiana and around the world, so we look forward to working with stakeholders from Westfield, Droplight Grand Park Sports Campus and across the Indianapolis region to make this the best flag tournament to date anywhere.” “As the nation’s largest and preeminent youth sports campus in the country, we are thrilled to have been selected by the NFL for this world-class event,” explained Greg Stremlaw, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Grand Park Sports & Entertainment. “As the operator of the campus, it has been a key objective of ours to diversify our sport base and we are investing significantly into flag football in multiple ways as part of a multi-faceted flag football vision. One of those objectives was to see the NFL Flag Football Championships make Grand Park home in a multi-year partnership with the NFL.” “Hamilton County, Indiana, has built a reputation as a destination where champions play, and we are certain that this NFL Flag Championship at Droplight Grand Park Sports Campus will be one to remember,” said Hamilton County Tourism President & CEO Karen Radcliff. “Our team looks forward to welcoming these world-class athletes to Hamilton County, thanks to collaborative efforts by our affiliate the Hamilton County Sports Authority and our partners throughout the region.” "The NFL Flag Championships have truly become the premier global stage for youth football,” said Izell Reese, CEO of RCX Sports. “Each year, the event continues to raise the bar in scale, competition, and overall impact. This year’s championship will bring together more than 350 teams from around the world at a world-class venue. The energy, talent, and international reach we’re seeing are a powerful reflection of the extraordinary momentum behind flag football’s growth. We’re incredibly proud to partner with the NFL to deliver an unforgettable experience for hundreds of young athletes and their families.” “We are honored to welcome the NFL Flag Championships to Westfield and to showcase Grand Park on an international stage,” stated Westfield Mayor Scott Willis. “This event brings the world to our community and highlights why Westfield has become a premier destination for youth sports, hospitality, and unforgettable experiences.” Flag football is one of the fastest growing sports in the world, with 20 million players globally, and will make its Olympic debut in Los Angeles in 2028. Recently, NFL clubs voted to support financially the development and launch of a professional flag football league. In addition, the NCAA recently approved the addition of flag football to the Emerging Sports for Women program, an important step in establishing flag as a varsity women’s sport across the NCAA. Flag football is now offered for girls at the high school level in 38 states, and more than 100 colleges and universities have women's flag football programs. In Indiana, the Colts have led the charge to grow youth flag football across the state, including launching the Colts Flag Football Leagues, a statewide network that connects young athletes to NFL Flag-sanctioned programs. The Colts have also committed $1 million to support girls high school flag football and have advanced numerous initiatives designed to increase access and participation.
The NFL is seeking to capitalize on the international attention on flag football that will come with the sport appearing in the Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028. The league also sees flag football as a way to attract more women, and it has supported efforts that have made girls’ flag football a high school sport in 38 states.