Flag Football Goes Olympic
For the first time in history, flag football will be played on the Olympic stage. Here's everything you need to know about the sport's biggest moment.
What You Need to Know
The essential details about flag football at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Exposition Park Stadium
Flag football will be played at a purpose-built venue near the LA Memorial Coliseum, right in the heart of the Olympic campus.
July 15–22, 2028
Competition runs for 8 days starting the day after the opening ceremony. Both men's and women's gold medal games on the final day.
Two Gold Medals
Separate men's and women's tournaments with six nations each. The United States enters as the automatic qualifier in both brackets.
5-on-5 Format
Games will be played 5-on-5 on a 70×25-yard field, following international rules governed by IFAF (International Federation of American Football).
NFL Players Eligible
NFL owners voted to allow active players to represent their countries. Each NFL team can send one player plus one international player.
Global Stage
Over 100 countries have flag football programs. The Olympics will showcase the sport's international growth beyond North America.
Tournament Format
How flag football will be structured at the 2028 Olympics.
| Detail | Men's Tournament | Women's Tournament |
|---|---|---|
| Teams | 6 nations | 6 nations |
| Format | Round robin → Semifinals → Medal matches | Round robin → Semifinals → Medal matches |
| Players per side | 5-on-5 | 5-on-5 |
| Field size | 70 × 25 yards | 70 × 25 yards |
| Game length | Two 20-minute halves | Two 20-minute halves |
| Host qualifier | United States (automatic) | United States (automatic) |
| Medals | Gold, Silver, Bronze | Gold, Silver, Bronze |
Qualification & Contenders
Six nations per bracket will compete. The USA qualifies automatically as host. The remaining five spots are determined through IFAF World Championship results and regional qualifiers.
United States
Automatic qualifier as host nation. Top-ranked in both men's and women's flag football globally. Deep talent pool including potential NFL players.
QualifiedMexico
Dominant force in women's flag football internationally. Consistently performs at world championship level. Strong domestic leagues.
Top ContenderAustria
One of Europe's strongest flag football nations with competitive men's and women's programs and a well-established domestic league.
Top ContenderJapan
Leading Asian flag football nation with decades of American football tradition. Strong candidate for an Asia-Pacific qualifying spot.
Top ContenderFrance
Growing rapidly with government sports investment. Paris 2024 created momentum for Olympic-caliber flag football programs.
Top ContenderCanada
Deep football culture and proximity to US competition gives Canada an edge. Women's program is particularly strong.
Top ContenderNFL Players at the Olympics
In May 2025, NFL owners voted to allow active players to compete in the Olympics. Here's how it works.
How the NFL-Olympics Agreement Works
Each NFL team can release one player to represent their country at the Games. Teams with international players on their roster may send one additional player. The agreement covers injury protection, salary cap implications, and medical staffing during Olympic competition.
Key Dates & Milestones
The path from IOC approval to the opening whistle.
Olympic Competition
Flag football debuts at the LA 2028 Games with men's and women's 5-on-5 tournaments at Exposition Park Stadium.
Olympic Qualifying Events
IFAF-sanctioned regional qualifiers determine the final five spots in each bracket. Expect intense competition across every continent.
IFAF World Championship
The 2026 IFAF World Championship serves as a major Olympic qualification pathway and a preview of the nations to watch.
NFL Approves Player Participation
NFL owners voted to allow active players to represent their nations at the Olympics, opening the door for star talent on the Olympic stage.
IOC Approves Flag Football
The International Olympic Committee officially added flag football to the LA 2028 program alongside cricket, lacrosse, squash, and baseball/softball.