Tom Brady returns to the field as Flag Football Classic moves to Los Angeles ahead of LA28

The Flag Football Classic founded by Tom Brady is heading to Los Angeles.

Event organizers announced on Monday (9 March) that the tournament will now take place on Saturday, 21 March 2026 in Los Angeles after originally being scheduled for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The event will now be played at the 22,000-seat open-air stadium in Exposition Park that serves as the home of Los Angeles FC and Angel City FC. The venue has been the home of the MLS club since opening in 2018 and will also host flag football during the 2028 Summer Olympics.

The competition will feature an expanded format and introduce Team USA Football into the field, creating a best-on-best matchup between elite flag football specialists and some of the biggest names from professional tackle football.

Brady, who retired from the NFL in 2023, will return to the field as one of the central figures of the showcase event highlighting flag football ahead of its Olympic debut at LA28.

“Ambassadors like Tom embody what we’re trying to build, a global athlete-influencer who connects sport, culture and competition,” said Roger Goodell during the USC Next Level Sports Business Conference last year.

NFL stars clash with Team USA flag football stars

The newly structured competition will feature three 12-player teams.

Two squads will be made up of current and former NFL players and global athletes, while the third will represent the reigning IFAF world champions, the USA Football U.S. Men’s National Team.

“We’re ready to showcase world-class Olympic-style 5-on-5 flag football," USA Football CEO & Executive Director, Scott Hallenbeck, said in a statement. “This event features our world champion flag football athletes on the same field as some of the top current and former pro tackle stars, and I know our players are up for the challenge.”

The Founders FFC team will be captained by Brady and Super Bowl champion quarterback Jalen Hurts and coached by Sean Payton.

Wildcats FFC will be led by Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels and Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow with coaching from Kyle Shanahan. Robert Saleh will serve as a defensive specialist for both teams.

On Wednesday, 18 March, the captains will draft their 12-player rosters from a pool of 24 athletes that includes a mix of current and former NFL stars, such as Saquon Barkley, Myles Garrett, Odell Beckham Jr., Rob Gronkowski and social media influencer Logan Paul.

Pro Football Hall of Fame legends Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald will serve as commissioners for the event.

The U.S. Men’s National Team will be captained by Aamir Brown and Darrell Doucette, with coaching from Jorge Cascudo.

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