Seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady announced Monday night, September 15, that he will participate in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic in Saudi Arabia on March 21, 2026, sparking widespread speculation about his potential involvement in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
The announcement came before Monday night’s game between the Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Brady, who serves as a minority owner of the Raiders, teamed up with Fanatics, Fox Sports, and OBB Media for the unprecedented tournament.
The tournament will take place at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh as part of the country’s Riyadh Season program. Brady emphasized that this represents a multi-year commitment, noting that with the Olympics approaching in 2028, he viewed this as NFL players’ first exposure to flag football competition and didn’t want to miss the opportunity.
The event will feature three teams competing in a round-robin format, with games played under Olympic-style rules on a 50-yard field with two 10-yard end zones. The format includes five-on-five play with two 20-minute halves. The top two teams will advance to compete for a championship.
Notable NFL players confirmed for participation 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. The three teams will be coached by 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 potential involvement in the 2028 Olympic Games, Brady responded cautiously. “We’ll see,” he indicated, suggesting his Olympic participation would depend on how the Saudi Arabia tournament performs.
Flag football will make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, and NFL clubs voted in May to permit players to participate in the Olympic event. This decision positions the United States as a strong contender for gold, given the country’s football expertise.
Brady previously expressed interest in Olympic participation during a June interview with Complex Sports, stating he remained highly competitive and that putting a football in his hands would activate his competitive instincts. The 47-year-old quarterback noted that officials would almost need to restrain him when near a football field due to his enduring passion for the sport.
The Saudi Arabia event represents the NFL’s first significant investment in the Kingdom, aimed at expanding the sport into new global markets and creating additional media and commercial opportunities. The Saudi Public Investment Fund has made substantial investments in Fanatics, the sports merchandise company partnering in the event.
Brady’s announcement has generated considerable excitement among American sports fans, with many viewing his potential Olympic participation as a realistic possibility despite his age. By the time the 2028 Olympics begin, Brady will be 50 years old, which would make 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 serve as host for the event, adding entertainment value to the sports competition.
Current flag football players have expressed mixed reactions to the potential influx of NFL talent. Some established flag football athletes worry that NFL players entering the sport could overshadow existing competitors who have dedicated their careers specifically to flag football.
The selection process for the 2028 Olympic team will be managed by USA Football, primarily involving national team tryouts. The chosen 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 retirement, he has taken on roles as 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 industries will be announced in the coming months, suggesting the tournament will feature a diverse array of celebrity athletes beyond NFL players.