2028 Olympics Update
Flag Football’s Path to the Olympics: What It Means for Women in SportsFlag football’s inclusion in the Olympics is expected to be a game-changer for women in sports. For many years, football has been a male-dominated sport, and women’s football has often taken a backseat. However, the push for flag football to be recognized as a serious competitive sport on the global stage is a powerful reminder that women can excel in sports traditionally not seen as “their” domain.
The Olympics will provide an international platform for female athletes to showcase their skills, raising awareness about the importance of gender equity in sports. The opportunity to represent one’s country in the Olympics is a dream come true for many athletes, and flag football’s Olympic debut will offer an unprecedented opportunity for women to shine in the spotlight.
Additionally, the recognition of flag football at the Olympic level will bring much-needed resources and infrastructure to the sport, creating more competitive opportunities for women. This will not only encourage the next generation of female athletes but also provide the necessary funding and support to further elevate the sport.
The Olympics will provide an international platform for female athletes to showcase their skills, raising awareness about the importance of gender equity in sports. The opportunity to represent one’s country in the Olympics is a dream come true for many athletes, and flag football’s Olympic debut will offer an unprecedented opportunity for women to shine in the spotlight.
Additionally, the recognition of flag football at the Olympic level will bring much-needed resources and infrastructure to the sport, creating more competitive opportunities for women. This will not only encourage the next generation of female athletes but also provide the necessary funding and support to further elevate the sport.
INTERNATIONAL EXPANSION
Across IFAF’s 74 national member federations, flag football is expected to overtake tackle football worldwide in terms of organized participation opportunities in the next few years.To amplify and support the long-term growth and momentum of flag football across the world, the NFL and IFAF launched the Global Flag Football Ambassadors program in 2022. Ambassadors support the global efforts of IFAF and the NFL to increase international awareness, interest and participation in flag football and drive the development of the game.Flag football competitions have been a major part of the IFAF’s efforts since 2002, when IFAF held the first world championships for men’s and women’s flag football. Tournaments now occur every other year.Year Men’s Flag World Champions Women’s Flag World Champions 2002 Austria Sweden 2004 Austria Mexico 2006 France France 2008 Canada Mexico 2010 United States of America Canada 2012 Austria Mexico 2014 United States of America Canada 2016 United States of America Panama 2018 United States of America United States of America 2021* United States of America United States of America 2024United States of AmericaUnited States of America*The 2020 IFAF Championships were postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.In 2022, flag football made its first appearance at The World Games in Birmingham, Alabama.The United States’ men’s team captured a gold medal in a victory over Italy. Mexico and star quarterback Diana Flores defeated the U.S. women to win the gold medal.
Flag in the Olympics ExpandThe 2022 World Games marked the first time that flag football was part of an international, multi-sport event. More than 3,500 athletes from approximately 100 countries competed in the World Games with 192 competing in flag football competitions.“Being a part of the sports program in the 2022 World Games formalizes flag football as an international sport, which promotes the values and benefits of the game to fans around the world,” said Troy Vincent Sr., NFL executive vice president of football operations. “Flag football affords men and women, boys and girls, of all ages, body types, and athletic skills the opportunity to enjoy the values, fun and competitive environment that only football offers.”Momentum is growing behind the sports which has seen the NFL start NFL FLAG operations in several countries, with the highest participation in Canada, China, Germany, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. Although there isn’t an office in Japan, flag football is part of the physical education curriculum in primary schools with Australia and Ghana launching operations in 2022 and Kenya and New Zealand in 2023.The Future of Football in the StatesAcross the U.S., the NFL, and its clubs are working with more than 2,000 schools to integrate flag football into the physical education curriculum. They are also working with 12 states — Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New York, and Tennessee on sanctioning flag football as a varsity sport in high schools.The growth is largely attributed to NFL FLAG, with more than 1,600 teams serving over 620,000 youth athletes (ranging from 4-17) in all 50 states. Behind the increase are NFL FLAG’s strategic campaigns and partnerships to bring flag football to thousands of schools, communities and families around the country.The NFL hosted the Flag All 32 Summer Invitational in Washington, D.C. in July 2023.College conferences across the country are recognizing flag football as an intercollegiate sport. The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics declared women’s flag football as an emerging sport in 2020.The Atlantic East Conference announced its plan to be the first NCAA Conference – Division I, II or III – to offer varsity female flag football with an anticipated start date of Spring 2025.Although the number of programs at the collegiate level continues to grow, high school flag football serves as the main pipeline for growth domestically with women continuing to drive some of the fastest growth in the game.Learn more about the 2024 NFL FLAG Championships at Pro Bowl GamesWith recreational flag football as important as ever, NFL FLAG is keeping a close eye on growth in that area with its partner, RCX Sports. The official operating partner of NFL FLAG, RCX Sports announced a new partnership with NIRSA: Leaders in Collegiate Recreation in 2023 to increase flag football participation, programming and training across college campuses in the intramural and club sports arenas.The partnership is a continuation of RCX’s commitment to equip sports leagues with the resources, training and tools they need to promote accessible and inclusivity in the sport. "Not only is flag football growing rapidly across in the youth sports arena, but this collaboration also gives college students who want to continue their football playing careers past high school a chance to get back on the field," said Vincent, Sr. "Flag football is poised for even greater expansion as the cornerstone of the NFL's domestic and international participation and development strategies."
Flag in the Olympics ExpandThe 2022 World Games marked the first time that flag football was part of an international, multi-sport event. More than 3,500 athletes from approximately 100 countries competed in the World Games with 192 competing in flag football competitions.“Being a part of the sports program in the 2022 World Games formalizes flag football as an international sport, which promotes the values and benefits of the game to fans around the world,” said Troy Vincent Sr., NFL executive vice president of football operations. “Flag football affords men and women, boys and girls, of all ages, body types, and athletic skills the opportunity to enjoy the values, fun and competitive environment that only football offers.”Momentum is growing behind the sports which has seen the NFL start NFL FLAG operations in several countries, with the highest participation in Canada, China, Germany, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. Although there isn’t an office in Japan, flag football is part of the physical education curriculum in primary schools with Australia and Ghana launching operations in 2022 and Kenya and New Zealand in 2023.The Future of Football in the StatesAcross the U.S., the NFL, and its clubs are working with more than 2,000 schools to integrate flag football into the physical education curriculum. They are also working with 12 states — Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New York, and Tennessee on sanctioning flag football as a varsity sport in high schools.The growth is largely attributed to NFL FLAG, with more than 1,600 teams serving over 620,000 youth athletes (ranging from 4-17) in all 50 states. Behind the increase are NFL FLAG’s strategic campaigns and partnerships to bring flag football to thousands of schools, communities and families around the country.The NFL hosted the Flag All 32 Summer Invitational in Washington, D.C. in July 2023.College conferences across the country are recognizing flag football as an intercollegiate sport. The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics declared women’s flag football as an emerging sport in 2020.The Atlantic East Conference announced its plan to be the first NCAA Conference – Division I, II or III – to offer varsity female flag football with an anticipated start date of Spring 2025.Although the number of programs at the collegiate level continues to grow, high school flag football serves as the main pipeline for growth domestically with women continuing to drive some of the fastest growth in the game.Learn more about the 2024 NFL FLAG Championships at Pro Bowl GamesWith recreational flag football as important as ever, NFL FLAG is keeping a close eye on growth in that area with its partner, RCX Sports. The official operating partner of NFL FLAG, RCX Sports announced a new partnership with NIRSA: Leaders in Collegiate Recreation in 2023 to increase flag football participation, programming and training across college campuses in the intramural and club sports arenas.The partnership is a continuation of RCX’s commitment to equip sports leagues with the resources, training and tools they need to promote accessible and inclusivity in the sport. "Not only is flag football growing rapidly across in the youth sports arena, but this collaboration also gives college students who want to continue their football playing careers past high school a chance to get back on the field," said Vincent, Sr. "Flag football is poised for even greater expansion as the cornerstone of the NFL's domestic and international participation and development strategies."
- FLAG FOOTBALL GOES GLOBAL! Flag football's Olympic debut in 2028 in Los Angeles is for men and women. The decision to add flag football to the 2028 Summer Olympic program in Los Angeles is an acknowledgment of the sport's tremendous international growth and appeal as a fast, exciting and competitive sport.
- NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell declared that he wants flag football “to be included in the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games,” according to David Riccio of the Melbourne HERALD-SUN. Goodell “is passionate” about flag football’s debut at the 2028 L.A. Games, where men’s and women’s competitions will be featured at the Olympics for the first time. The sports chosen for the Brisbane Olympics will be determined later this year, and Goodell “is adamant” that flag football needs to be part of it. Goodell said, “I think the LA (Games) is a great start, we’re already seeing tremendous interest in playing the game, both for men and women.” He added, “And I think it’s going to be a great thing at ’32 in Brisbane, we hope” (Melbourne HERALD-SUN, 2/26)
- With 20 million players across 100 countries, flag football is already a global game—and now, the Olympics is giving women and men the chance to represent on the world’s biggest stage. With flag officially added to the Olympic Games in Los Angeles 2028, a new generation of athletes can compete at the highest level. Whether your journey starts in a FLAG League, in high school, through a national team pipeline, or on the international stage, the Olympic dream is more accessible than ever.
- first-ever flag football tournament at the IV South American Youth Games Panama 2026 (Juegos Suramericanos de la Juventud) in April.
- The participation of Under-17 boys’ and girls’ teams representing Argentina, Brazil, Panama, Uruguay and Venezuela is sanctioned by IFAF as part of a growing number of youth-focused tournaments being held worldwide. The annual IFAF European Youth Flag Football Championships will take place in Italy this year, while 2025 saw youth flag events played on three continents in Austria, China and Panama.
- The flag football games will be played at the Emilio Royo Stadium in Panama City from April 17 to 19 as part of the regional multi-sport event organized by ODESUR (Organizacion Deportiva Suramericana), which has 15 member nations. The games are held every four years, consistent with the current Olympic Games format.
- Argentina, Brazil, Panama and Uruguay will contest the boys’ U17 tournament while Brazil, Panama and Venezuela will compete in the girls’ U17 category. A double round robin tournament played on the first two days will determine the knockout and finals stages for Sunday, April 19. The full schedule of games will be released next week.
- “We are honored to bring flag football to these illustrious youth games for the first time,” said IFAF Director for the Americas Javier L’Episcopo. “We look forward to some very competitive games and exciting action from young players whose dreams of becoming a new generation of Olympic Games athletes start here.”
- The first edition of the South American Youth Games was held in Peru in 2013 then in Santiago, Chile (2017); and Rosario, Argentina (2022). Panama is the fourth games and the first held in Central America.
- Which nations are flag football powerhouses?
- In both men’s and women’s flag football, the United States are the top ranked team, and have won the last world championships in their sport. Considering that top tackle American football players like Patrick Mahomes have talked about wanting to play flag football, the U.S. will likely only continue to improve during the run-up to LA28.
- Mexico is another country which rules flag football both on the men’s and women’s side of the sport. Diana Flores is such a well-known player in flag football that she was chosen to star in an NFL commercial, and Mexico is ranked second in the world in both men’s and women’s flag football.
- Other countries that have shown promise in flag football include Germany, Japan and Canada, but as the LA 28 Games near, it’s likely more countries will continue to emerge.
- Receiver Tyreek Hill, one of the most enthusiastic competitors in last year's Pro Bowl flag game. Philadelphia Eagles receiver A.J. Brown and Dallas Cowboys pass rusher Micah Parsons, who joined Hill in being voted to this season's All-Pro team, have thrown their hats in the ring too. Minnesota Vikings star receiver Justin Jefferson, who stars in a commercial for flag football that airs regularly during NFL games, seems like another possibility. Is Joe Burrow Olympics-bound?
- "I think it's exciting," Burrow told Glenn Cole at Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in France last June. "I think it's going to be great for the game. ... That would be exciting to play in, that'd be a lot of fun. Especially when I think, the Olympics is such an international brand. But when that starts to happen, that's going to really grow the game a lot."
- Venus Williams says “It’s great for me to be able to branch into something like flag football. I think there were probably a lot of girls who thought they wouldn't be able to play football, but now here they are; girls are playing this sport and playing it well. So I think this is a great opportunity for me to be inspired by these young women”.
- Tutorial Videos available on YouTube.