Football continues to gain popularity outside the United States, and that’s only going to continue since the sport is about to be played on the biggest global stage.
Flag football will soon be an Olympic sport, but when exactly will it be added? Will the 2024 Summer Olympics feature flag football?
Will the 2024 Olympics Have Flag Football?
No, flag football will not be in the 2024 Summer Olympics, but it will be added to the 2028 Olympics. Last year, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) approved the addition of flag football, as well as several other sports, to the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.
The decision to add the sport came after the LA28 Organizing Committee recommended flag football and four other sports for inclusion.
“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,” said Scott Hallenbeck, CEO of USA Football. “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.”
Flag football made its international debut at The World Games in 2022 when USA Football’s national team participated alongside 3,500 athletes from 100 countries.
The addition of flag football to the 2028 Summer Olympics has caught the attention of many NFL players.
“That’s a big deal,” Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III said. “The sport of football has changed my life and a lot of other guys’. I would definitely [like to play,] if I learn how to pull a flag.”
Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey believes that Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill should be the first player selected for an Olympic flag football squad featuring NFL players.
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“Nobody can match that speed in 7-on-7,” Ramsey said. “You can’t really press [in flag]. You’re not going to be able to get hands on him. He will have a field day.”
Houston Texans receiver Stefon Diggs also seems interested in participating, as he said he would “100%” be in favor of playing.
“Flag football should be appreciated,” Diggs said. “Not even just men, but we can involve the women, too. They’ve been taking over flag for a long time.”
The NFL recently tweaked its Pro Bowl to feature three 7-on-7 flag football games between the two conferences, the NFC and AFC.
Also, earlier this year, the NFL named Stephanie Kwok to the newly created position of Vice President, Head of Flag Football. Kwok will serve as the NFL lead on flag football, which the league described as “a cross-organizational priority for the NFL as one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States and around the world.”
“We are excited that Stephanie is joining our team to apply her proven leadership skills to advance the most affordable, accessible, inclusive, and competitive sport in the world,” said NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Troy Vincent.
“As a flag player and league organizer and operator, Stephanie brings a passion to exponentially expand the game that has taken the sports world by storm and provides opportunity for all girls, boys, men and women to experience the fun and values of football.”
Kwok was previously a partner at Reforge, a leading career development platform, and she also had stints at FanDuel and Madison Square Garden. Kwok has a personal and professional passion for flag football, as she has played in multiple leagues around New York City and co-founded Pickup Football, which ran competitive flag tournaments for adults across the tri-state area.
