The Fanatics Flag Football Classic has been moved from Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California. The event remains scheduled for March 21, 2026.[1][2]

The relocation follows heightened security concerns amid ongoing military tensions in the Middle East involving the United States, Israel, Iran, and other parties.[1][3]

BMO Stadium, home of Major League Soccer's Los Angeles FC, has been selected as the venue for flag football events at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.[2][4]

The competition features three teams in a 5-on-5 flag football format using modified Olympic rules on a 50-by-25-yard field, with two 15-minute halves and a running clock. The teams will play a round-robin schedule, with the top two advancing to a championship game.[1][2]

The teams include Founders FFC, captained by retired NFL quarterback Tom Brady (seven-time Super Bowl winner, formerly New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, and coached by Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton; Wildcats FFC, captained by Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels and Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, and coached by San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan; and the USA Football men's national flag football team, reigning IFAF Flag Football World Champions, captained by Aamir Brown and Darrell "Housh" Doucette and coached by Jorge Cascio.[1][3][5]

Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Robert Saleh will serve as a defensive specialist for the Founders and Wildcats teams. A player draft from a 24-player pool, including Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, former NFL receiver Odell Beckham Jr., retired NFL tight end Rob Gronkowski, and WWE performer Logan Paul, is set for March 18, 2026.[1][2]

Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald, members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026, will serve as commissioners.[1][3]

The event will air live on FOX Sports, FS1, and Tubi from 4-8:30 p.m. ET on March 21, 2026, with international streaming on Fanatics' YouTube channel. Actor Kevin Hart will host, with commentary from Druski.[1][2]

In a September 2025 interview, Brady described the event as the start of a multi-year commitment tied to flag football's Olympic debut.[1]

Sources

1. FOX Sports, "Tom Brady's Fanatics Flag Football Classic relocates from Saudi Arabia to L.A.'s BMO Stadium", December 18, 2025, https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/tom-bradys-fanatics-flag-football-classic-relocates-saudi-arabia-la
2. Sports Illustrated, "Fanatics Flag Football Classic moves to Los Angeles amid Middle East tensions", December 18, 2025, https://www.si.com/nfl/2025/12/18/fanatics-flag-football-classic-la-bmo-stadium-brady
3. Fox News Digital, "Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin on Flag Football Classic relocation, Tom Brady involvement", December 18, 2025, https://www.foxnews.com/sports/fanatics-flag-football-classic-moves-la-saudi
4. LA28 Olympics, "Flag Football Competition Venue: BMO Stadium", accessed January 2026, https://la28.org/venues/bmo-stadium-flag-football
5. USA Football, "Men's National Flag Team: 2024 IFAF World Champions", 2024, https://www.usafootball.com/flag-national-teams/mens-flag-world-champions