On March 21, Los Angeles will host the highly anticipated Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium, marking an unexpected return for Tom Brady to competitive football. This event, held where the 2028 Olympic flag football games will take place, will showcase former and current NFL players, top-level flag football athletes, and feature Brady’s first on-field appearance since retiring after the 2022 NFL season, drawing significant attention from fans eager to see his return.
Brady Leading Founders FFC Alongside NFL Stars and Coaches
In this one-of-a-kind exhibition, Tom Brady will serve as captain for the Founders FFC team, joined by Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, while New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton will take charge from the sidelines. A second NFL-led team, Wildcats FFC, is helmed by Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels and Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, with San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan as head coach. Additionally, Robert Saleh, former coach of the New York Jets, will act as a defensive expert for both teams, adding further NFL leadership to the event.
Star-Studded Draft Set to Form Dynamic Teams
On March 18, team rosters will be finalized in a player draft featuring a mix of 24 current and former NFL stars and prominent athletes, including Saquon Barkley, Myles Garrett, Odell Beckham Jr., Rob Gronkowski, and Logan Paul. This draft will determine the makeup of the two NFL-centric teams competing in the tournament, promising high-level competition and fan excitement fueled by these recognized names.
The third team, Team USA Football, enters as the reigning IFAF Flag Football World Champion and is led by captains Aamir Brown and Darrell Housh Doucette. Coached by Jorge Cascudo, Team USA represents elite international flag football talent, offering a rare convergence between traditional football icons and the world’s best flag football players during the tournament.
Game Format Mirrors Olympic Flag Football with Exciting Rules
The Fanatics Flag Football Classic will adopt a modified version of Olympic flag football rules, featuring matches on a 50-by-25-yard field. Each game will consist of two 15-minute halves running with a continuous clock. The competition involves a round-robin structure where all three teams face each other, with the top two moving on to compete for the championship.
Adding to the event’s entertainment, actor and comedian Kevin Hart will co-host alongside comedian Druski, while Hall of Fame quarterbacks Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald will serve as commissioners, overseeing the tournament and enhancing its profile among football enthusiasts.
Flag Football’s Olympic Debut and Global Growth Highlighted in LA Event
Flag football has witnessed rapid growth worldwide, with over 20 million participants, and its upcoming Olympic debut in Los Angeles 2028 further heightens interest. Hosting the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium highlights the sport’s rising prominence and provides a preview of the style and excitement fans can expect when flag football becomes an Olympic medal sport.
Produced by Fanatics Studios—a collaboration between Fanatics and OBB Media—together with Brady and FOX Sports, the event promises extensive media coverage. It will be broadcast live on FOX Sports, FOX One, and Tubi from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. PT, also available internationally via the Fanatics YouTube channel. Tickets are scheduled for release on March 10, with event-related activities kicking off March 18 in Los Angeles, building anticipation around this unique sporting occasion.
A New Chapter for Tom Brady and Flag Football
Tom Brady’s involvement in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic represents more than just a return to the field; it signals a growing recognition and respect for flag football as a competitive and rapidly expanding sport. With its connection to the 2028 Olympics and the star power drawn from NFL leadership and global flag football champions alike, this event could help elevate flag football’s status and inspire broader participation and fan engagement in the years ahead.
