Seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady announced on Monday night, September 15, that he will take part in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic in Saudi Arabia on March 21, 2026. This has led to widespread speculation about his potential involvement in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, California.
The announcement was made before the Monday night game between the Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. Brady, who is a minority owner of the Raiders, has collaborated with Fanatics, Fox Sports, and OBB Media for this groundbreaking tournament.
The tournament is scheduled to be held at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, as part of the country’s Riyadh Season program. Brady mentioned that this event signifies a long-term commitment, highlighting the upcoming Olympics in 2028 as an opportunity for NFL players to gain exposure to flag football competition.
The event will feature three teams competing in a round-robin format on a 50-yard field with two 10-yard end zones. Games will be played following Olympic-style rules, consisting of five-on-five play with two 20-minute halves. The top two teams will advance to the championship match.
Confirmed NFL players include Saquon Barkley, CeeDee Lamb, Christian McCaffrey, Sauce Gardner, Myles Garrett, Brock Bowers, Maxx Crosby, Tyreek Hill, Odell Beckham Jr., and Brady’s former teammate Rob Gronkowski. Coaching the three teams will be Pete Carroll of the Las Vegas Raiders, Sean Payton of the Denver Broncos, and Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers.
When asked by reporters about possible involvement in the 2028 Olympic Games, Brady cautiously replied, “We’ll see,” indicating that his participation would depend on the outcome of the Saudi Arabia tournament.
Flag football will debut at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. NFL clubs voted in May to allow players to participate in the Olympic event, positioning the United States as a strong contender for gold due to the country’s expertise in football.
In a June interview with Complex Sports, Brady expressed interest in Olympic participation, stating he remained highly competitive and that having a football in his hands would activate his competitive instincts. The 47-year-old quarterback mentioned that being near a football field almost requires officials to restrain him due to his passion for the sport.
The Saudi Arabia event signifies the NFL’s first major investment in the Kingdom, with the aim of expanding the sport into new global markets and creating additional media and commercial opportunities. The Saudi Public Investment Fund has made significant investments in Fanatics, the sports merchandise company involved in the event.
Brady’s announcement has stirred significant interest among American sports fans, with many considering his potential Olympic participation as a feasible prospect despite his age. By the 2028 Olympics, Brady will be 50 years old, potentially making him one of the oldest Olympic competitors in any sport.
The tournament will be broadcast on Fox Sports and Tubi, Fox’s streaming service. Comedian Kevin Hart will host the event, adding entertainment value to the sports competition.
Current flag football players have shown mixed responses to the potential influx of NFL talent. Some established flag football athletes are concerned that NFL players entering the sport might overshadow existing competitors dedicated to flag football.
The selection process for the 2028 Olympic team will be managed by USA Football, primarily involving national team tryouts. The selected roster will then require NFL approval, creating a structured pathway for professional players interested in Olympic competition.
Brady retired from the NFL in February 2023 after a 22-season career that included seven Super Bowl victories. Since his retirement, he has become Fox Sports’ lead NFL analyst on a 10-year, $375 million contract and acquired a five percent ownership stake in the Las Vegas Raiders.
Additional participants from other sports and entertainment sectors will be announced in the coming months, indicating the tournament will feature a diverse array of celebrity athletes beyond NFL players.