In a groundbreaking move, the International Federation of American Football (IFAF), the National Football League (NFL), and USA Football have welcomed the IOC’s decision to include American flag football in the official program of the Olympic Games.
This marks the first time in history that American football will be featured in the Olympics, bringing the exciting and inclusive format of flag football to the world stage.
The joint venture of IFAF and the NFL, known as Vision28, has played a crucial role in this historic development, as the rising popularity of flag football continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
Flag football has gained immense popularity as a short, fast-paced, non-contact, and gender-equal format of American football.
It is celebrated for its inclusivity and accessibility, attracting a diverse range of participants, especially among women and girls.
Currently, more than 20 million people in over 100 countries engage in flag football, demonstrating its remarkable growth alongside the thriving international fanbase of the NFL, which boasts over 340 million followers.
This year, 65 national representative teams will participate in IFAF continental flag football competitions, laying the groundwork for the upcoming IFAF World Flag Football Championships in Lahti, Finland.
Set to take place in August 2024, this championship will be the largest of its kind and is anticipated to promote and celebrate the sport on a global scale.
Pierre Trochet, the President of the IFAF, is confident that the inclusion of flag football in the Olympic Games will bring an unprecedented and thrilling dimension to the event.
“This is a huge moment for our sport and our global American football community. We are grateful to everyone who has played a part in what has been a truly collective journey – and a journey that will now continue in partnership with LA28, whom we thank for their vision and leadership.
“We are convinced that flag football will offer an exciting new dimension to the Games — uniting them, for the first time in history, with America’s number one sport in its youngest, most accessible and inclusive format, which is already spearheading extraordinary growth, particularly among youth audiences, women and girls and in new countries worldwide. We have no doubt that inclusion in the Olympic Games will further accelerate this dynamic.”
Diana Flores, The World Games gold medalist and Chair of the IFAF Athletes’ Committee, expresses gratitude to everyone who has contributed to this significant achievement.
“To compete in the Olympic Games is the ultimate dream of every athlete, and millions of flag football players around the world will go to sleep dreaming of Los Angeles 2028 tonight. I want to thank everyone who has made this possible — including all my fellow athletes and ambassadors who have played such a central role in driving the project forward.
“Together, we are determined to use this incredible stage to showcase the best of flag football – its speed, athleticism and creativity, and also its power to transform lives and include new communities in sports. As an athlete community, we are proud to be leading the way, but our goal must be to use this opportunity to inspire, lift up and empower a new generation around the world.”
Roger Goodell, Commissioner of the NFL, warmly congratulates the IFAF on this extraordinary milestone for flag football.
Recognizing the honor it is for athletes to compete at the Olympics, Goodell believes that this decision will ignite the passion of millions of young individuals, encouraging them to play and enjoy this wonderful sport.
The NFL is committed to supporting flag football’s prominence within the Olympic movement, fostering collaboration among IFAF, the LA28 Organizing Committee, the IOC, and USA Football.
Scott Hallenbeck, CEO of USA Football and IFAF Vice President, hails this momentous day as a turning point for American football.
Expressing heartfelt appreciation to the IOC and the LA28 Organizing Committee, Hallenbeck recognizes flag football’s international growth and its standing as a fast, exciting, and competitive sport.
“Today is a momentous day for American football. We are incredibly thankful to the IOC and LA28 Organizing Committee for recognizing flag football as a sport worthy of inclusion in the Olympic Games, and we share our excitement and celebrate this historic occasion with the millions of flag football players across our country.
“The decision to add flag football to the 2028 Summer Olympic program in Los Angeles is an acknowledgment of the sport’s tremendous international growth and appeal as a fast, exciting and competitive sport.
“USA Football works tirelessly to support the sport’s exponential growth at all levels by encouraging the creation of more pathways to play, and inclusion in the Olympic Games will have a transformative impact on our sport — from the grassroots level to our elite US National Teams.
“As the governing body of American Football in the United States, we are committed to continuing to work closely with IFAF, the USOPC and the NFL as we pursue our collective efforts to grow the game for current and future generations.”
