Fanatics Flag Football Classic Brings NFL Stars and Team USA to LA

The event at BMO Stadium will feature Tom Brady's return to competition and a matchup between NFL players and the world champion U.S. flag football team.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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The Fanatics Flag Football Classic is coming to Los Angeles on March 21, featuring an expanded three-team format with current and former NFL players competing against the reigning IFAF Flag Football World Champion U.S. Men's National Team. The event will mark Tom Brady's first official return to competition since his retirement, as he captains one of the NFL-led squads alongside Jalen Hurts and Sean Payton. Other notable participants include Saquon Barkley, Myles Garrett, Odell Beckham Jr., and Logan Paul.

Why it matters

With flag football making its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, the Fanatics Flag Football Classic provides a high-profile platform to showcase the sport and its growth. The matchup between traditional football stars and the world's best flag football players will offer a unique competitive dynamic and help raise awareness of the sport ahead of its Olympic introduction.

The details

The tournament will follow modified Olympic-style flag football rules with games played on a 50-by-25-yard field. Each matchup will feature two 15-minute halves with a running clock, and the three teams will compete in a round-robin format with the top two advancing to the championship game. Actor and comedian Kevin Hart will host the event alongside comedian Druski, while Hall of Fame quarterbacks Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald will serve as commissioners.

  • The Fanatics Flag Football Classic will be held on March 21, 2026 at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.
  • The player draft for the NFL-led squads will take place on March 18, 2026.

The players

Tom Brady

A legendary NFL quarterback who is returning to competition for the first time since his retirement following the 2022 season.

Jalen Hurts

The starting quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Sean Payton

The former head coach of the New Orleans Saints who will lead one of the NFL-led squads.

Aamir Brown

One of the captains of the reigning IFAF Flag Football World Champion U.S. Men's National Team.

Darrell 'Housh' Doucette

The other captain of the reigning IFAF Flag Football World Champion U.S. Men's National Team.

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What’s next

Tickets for the Fanatics Flag Football Classic go on sale on March 10, 2026, with event week activities beginning on March 18 in Los Angeles.

The takeaway

The Fanatics Flag Football Classic represents a significant milestone for the sport of flag football, providing a high-profile platform to showcase its growth and introduce it to a wider audience ahead of its Olympic debut in 2028. The matchup between NFL stars and the world's best flag football players will offer a unique competitive dynamic and help drive further interest and participation in the sport.