Flag football at Olympics: NFL allows players to take part in 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles
EAGAN, Minn. — The NFL has approved a resolution allowing NFL players to participate in flag football at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
The resolution, proposed with the aim of 'supporting the growth of flag football both domestically and internationally,' permits NFL players to try out for 2028 Olympic flag football teams while limiting the total number of participants who can participate.
The resolution passed unanimously.
The 32 clubs will allow up to one of their players to play on each country's team. The NFL's international pathway players will also be allowed to participate without restrictions.
"America's greatest game," NFL executive vice president Troy Vincent said, "on the world's greatest stage.
"I think it will be phenomenal."
Vikings WR Justin Jefferson spoke about the 'dream' of playing in the Olympics and American (flag) football growing to a global stage: pic.twitter.com/hvFyZ7y643
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) May 20, 2025
Injury protection and salary cap credit will be in place for teams who lose a player to injury in the Olympics. Field surfaces and medical staff must reach NFL-approved standards, the resolution said.
With the resolution, clubs authorized the NFL Management Council and players union to negotiate Olympic arrangements for its players.
The 2028 Summer Olympics will be the first time flag football will be part of the games. The setup and rules of the event will differ from NFL-style football.
Each team will feature 10 players total. Five players from each team can take the field at a time. Teams will play two 20-minute halves at the Games.
The field will be smaller than a regulation NFL field. The Olympics will feature a 70x25-yard field, including 10 yards for each end zone. Teams will begin on their own 5-yard line and have four downs to make it halfway down the field. Teams can elect to run or pass on each play. A down ends when a flag is removed from a player, when they go out of bounds or when a forward pass hits the ground.
If a team reaches the halfway point in four downs, it has four more downs to score a touchdown. If it is unable to do that, the other team takes possession of the ball on its own 5-yard line.
After a touchdown is scored, a team can elect to go for an extra point by running a play from the 5-yard line. A team can also go for 2 points from the 10-yard line.
If teams are tied after 40 minutes of play, each team will receive possessions until one team achieves an unanswered score.
Given the popularity of football in the United States, Team USA is expected to be a favorite to win the gold at the event.
This developing story will be updated.
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