Flag football at the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028: Everything you need to know about the new sport at LA28
Flag Football
At the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028, fans will get their first taste of flag football, a version of American football. The sport was added to the program for the Olympic Games in Los Angeles along with T20 cricket, lacrosse (sixes), baseball/softball and squash.
"As we celebrate the successes of Paris 2024 and the ball is thrown to LA28, we have no doubt flag football is going to light up the Games when it makes its debut in four years' time. Young, fast, creative and played by outstanding athletes, including our global flag football ambassador Jalen Hurts, the format is the perfect fit for the Games of a new generation,” said Pierre Trochet, the president of the International Federation of American Football.
What is the flag football format at LA28?
Flag football is a non-tackling version of American football where players wear belts with flags on them, and minimal equipment. Instead of tackling a player to stop a play, defenders try to grab one of their flags. The game will be played on a 50-yard field that's 25 yards wide with two ten yard end zones, and it will be a five-on-five format. Players aim to get to end zones in four downs, and the game has an emphasis on speed.
What are the venues for flag football at LA28?
The venue for flag football has not been announced yet. As part of its sustainability pledge, the LA Games are set to use 100 per cent existing and temporary venues for the Olympics.
What is the flag football schedule at LA28?
The schedule will be announced closer to the Games.
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.