The NFL on Tuesday opened the door for active players to participate in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, where flag football will make its Olympics debut.
NFL clubs on Tuesday approved a resolution permitting player participation in flag football for the 2028 Olympics. The resolution specifically authorizes the NFL to work with the NFL Players Association, the International Federation of American Football and Olympic authorities to implement rules which will govern the participation of NFL players in Olympic flag football.
"It's an incredible honor for any athlete to represent their country in the Olympics, which is the pinnacle of global sport," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said. "I know first-hand that the inclusion of flag football in the Olympics has sparked a tremendous amount of excitement among NFL players interested in the chance to compete for their country on the world stage. We are thrilled that they will now have that chance."
Medals will be awarded in both men's and women's flag football in 2028. Six teams will compete in each competition, with 10 players per team and games played in a five-on-five format. The IFAF has 75 member nations, and a record 31 nations competed in the most recent IFAF Flag Football World Championship.
"Players have expressed to us a great desire for the honor of competing in the Olympics, and we're excited that our members will be able to represent their country on the highest international stage," NFL Players Association Executive Director Lloyd Howell, Jr said. "We look forward to working with the league, IFAF, and Olympic authorities on the terms of their participation to ensure players who compete will do so with protections to their health, safety, and job."
The Colts have consistently promoted and help grow the sport of flag football through several initiatives, including the organization's "Road to 100" push to get 100 Indiana high schools to commit to fielding a girls flag football team in 2025. The first 100 schools to join will receive a $10,000 support package from the Irsay family and the Colts, which includes financial support, jerseys and a USA Football equipment kit.
The goal of the push is to get girls flag football to be a fully-sanctioned sport by the IHSAA.
The Colts created the Colts Girls High School Flag Football League in 2023, which in 2024 was comprised of 27 teams. Colts FLAG Football Leagues presented by Peyton Manning's Children's Hospital and the Colts Unified FLAG Classic also have provided plenty of meaningful opportunities for the sport of flag football to grow.
Colts Pro Bowl linebacker Zaire Franklin in February was named one of the NFL's Global Flag Football Ambassadors.
The Colts have prioritized flag football development to introduce the game to new players and fans, especially girls, who traditionally have not had the same opportunities to learn and play the game as boys. The Colts Girls Flag program is fueled by Gatorade and sponsored in part by Peyton Manning Children's Hospital. For more info, visit Colts.com/GirlsFlag or email FootballDevelopment@colts.com.
