NFL franchises have voted at the league's Spring Meeting to allow NFL players to participate in the flag football discipline at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
The approved resolution authorizes the league to work with the NFL Players Association, the International Federation of American Football (IFAF), and relevant Olympic authorities to implement the rules governing NFL player participation in flag football, making its Olympic debut in 2028, a non-tackling American football modality where players remove a flag from the opponent.
"It is an incredible honor for any athlete to represent their country at the Olympic Games, which is the pinnacle of world sports," said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. "I know firsthand that the inclusion of flag football in the Olympics has sparked tremendous enthusiasm among NFL players, interested in the opportunity to compete for their country on the world stage. We are delighted that they now have that opportunity."
Olympic rosters will be selected by the National Olympic Committees of each country based on proposals from their respective National Federations.
"I welcome the outcome of this vote, which promises to add another dimension to what is already shaping up to be a game-changing debut for flag football at the Olympics," said IFAF President Pierre Trochet. "The National Football League is home to the biggest stars of American football, who come from an increasing number of countries, and now they have the opportunity to shine on the world's biggest sports stage, showcasing everything that makes flag football a true global phenomenon." The 75 national federations of IFAF join me in thanking our NFL partners for this new demonstration of their commitment to flag football in the Olympic movement. We will work together to ensure that our sport contributes as a decisive element to the success of LA28."
The Olympic flag football competition will consist of six men's teams and six women's teams, each composed of 10 players per team, with a five-on-five game format.
According to the terms agreed upon this Tuesday, NFL player participation in their countries' national flag football teams will begin with a qualification process before the Olympic competition.
"Players have expressed their strong desire to have the honor of competing in the Olympic Games, and we are excited that our members can represent their country on the highest international stage," said NFL Players Association Executive Director Lloyd Howell Jr. "We look forward to working with the League, IFAF, and Olympic authorities on the terms of their participation to ensure that the competing players do so while protecting their health, safety, and livelihood."
Flag football is internationally governed by the International Federation of American Football, recognized by the IOC, with 75 member national federations spread across all continents. In the last IFAF World Championships, 31 countries participated, a record number reflecting the explosive growth of this grassroots sport, with 20 million players worldwide.
"There is no doubt that the flag football tournament at the 2028 LA28 Olympics will be one of the most exciting competitions in Olympic history, and the inclusion of NFL players will take it to new heights," said LA28 President Casey Wasserman. "This milestone would not have been possible without the support of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, the NFL Players Association, the club owners, and, most importantly, the athletes, whom we look forward to seeing on the field in 2028."