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The Fanatics Flag Football Classic is indeed moving to BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.
The joint venture between Fanatics and OBB Media, Tom Brady and FOX Sports will keep its originally scheduled date of March 21, although it will not play at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, amid ongoing military operations in the Middle East involving the United States, Israel, Iran and others.
BMO Stadium is the host site for flag football at the 2028 Olympics. And, as the move is announced, so is the format of the event that will see Brady return to the field for the first time since his retirement in 2023.
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The Fanatics Flag Football Classic has been moved from Saudi Arabia to Los Angeles, where BMO Stadium will host the first event of its kind. (Fanatics)
Team USA Football will be involved in an expanded format, as a first-of-its-kind competition will feature teams of 12 players. The first two will consist of current and former NFL stars, while the other will be the reigning IFAF Flag Football men’s national team from USA Football.
The first team, Founders FFC, will be led by Brady and Philadelphia Eagles star quarterback Jalen Hurts, while being coached by Sean Payton of the Denver Broncos. Next up, the Wildcats FFC will feature young Washington Commanders star Jayden Daniels and veteran Cincinnati Bengals signal-caller Joe Burrow, who will be coached by Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers.
Additionally, Robert Saleh, who just took over for the Tennessee Titans, will serve as a defensive specialist for both teams in the event that will feature some of the best players to ever play on an NFL field, as well as some of the most accomplished flag football players in the United States.
The US national team will be led by Aamir Brown and Darrell “House” Doucette, while coached by Jorge Cascade.
What makes this event more fun is the fact that Founders FFC and Wildcats FFC will be holding a draft on March 18 to determine the 12-man teams. They will choose from a pool of 24 players, which includes Saquon Barkley of the Eagles, Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns, Super Bowl champion wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., former NFL star tight end Rob Gronkowski and WWE superstar Logan Paul.
FILE – Former NFL quarterback Tom Brady makes an appearance on the field before an NFL football game between the New Orleans Saints and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Tampa, Florida. (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit, file)
The Flag Football Classic also added two members of the Class of 2026 to the Pro Football Hall of Fame: Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald. They will serve as curators for the event.
While the event wanted to start in Saudi Arabia, Brady noted in September 2025 that it was just the beginning of something he hopes to continue for years to come.
“It’s a commitment over several years,” Brady explained at the time. “Obviously we’re off to a good start. The first year will kind of be the one where everyone is attentive and energized. It’s the first time we’ve done something like this, but every player I’ve talked to is excited to play.
“Obviously, with the Olympics coming up in 2028, I think this is the first time NFL players have been exposed to it, and I didn’t want to miss out on being a part of it.”
General view of the stadium during the Leagues Cup First Phase match between Los Angeles FC and CF Pachuca at BMO Stadium on August 1, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Kevork Djansezian – League Cup/MLS)
The Flag Football Classic will stream live on FOX Sports, FOX One and Tubi from 4:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. ET on March 21, while Fanatics will stream the event internationally on its YouTube channel. Actor and comedian Kevin Hart will host the event, with comedian Druski commentating alongside him.
The games will follow modified Olympic-style flag football rules, which feature two 15-minute halves with a running clock on a 50-by-25-yard field. It will be five-on-five, with each team competing in a round-robin format before the top two teams advance to the championship.
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