The inaugural Fanatics Flag Football Classic, organized by Fanatics Studios with Tom Brady and FOX Sports, is set for March 21, 2026, at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.[1][2] The event features NFL stars and the USA men's flag national team in a 5-on-5 format.

Originally scheduled for Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the event was relocated, as announced on December 16, 2024, due to the current situation in the Middle East.[1][2][3] BMO Stadium, home of Major League Soccer's Los Angeles FC, has a capacity of 22,000 and is designated to host flag football at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.[2][4]

The competition includes three teams playing in a round-robin format on a 50-by-25-yard field under modified Olympic rules: two 15-minute halves with a running clock. The top two teams advance to a championship game.[1][2]

Founders FFC will be captained by retired quarterback Tom Brady (seven-time Super Bowl champion, formerly New England Patriots/Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, coached by Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton. Wildcats FFC will be led by Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels and Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, coached by San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan.[1][2][3]

A player draft for Founders FFC and Wildcats FFC is scheduled for March 18, 2026, from the following pool:[1][2]

• Running backs: Saquon Barkley (Philadelphia Eagles), Alvin Kamara (New Orleans Saints), Ashton Jeanty (Boise State).
• Wide receivers/tight ends: Davante Adams (Las Vegas Raiders), Odell Beckham Jr. (free agent), Stefon Diggs (Houston Texans), Rob Gronkowski (retired), DeAndre Hopkins (Tennessee Titans), Kyle Juszczyk (San Francisco 49ers), Deebo Samuel (San Francisco 49ers), DeVonta Smith (Philadelphia Eagles).
• Linebackers/defensive backs: Myles Garrett (Cleveland Browns), Derwin James Jr. (Los Angeles Chargers), Luke Kuechly (retired), Tyrann Mathieu (New Orleans Saints), Von Miller (free agent), Jalen Ramsey (Miami Dolphins).

Additional participants include YouTuber Logan Paul, streamer IShowSpeed and boxer Terence Crawford. Former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh will serve as defensive specialist for both all-star teams.[1][3] Drew Brees (retired New Orleans Saints quarterback) and Larry Fitzgerald (retired Arizona Cardinals wide receiver) will act as commissioners.[2][3]

The third team is the USA men's flag national team, reigning champions of the 2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championship. Roster: Aamir Brown (DB/WR/captain), Darrell "Housh" Doucette III (QB/ATH), Isaiah Calhoun (DB/WR), Nico Casares (QB), Mike Daniels (DB/WR), Laval Davis (WR/rusher), Tyler Davis (WR/DB), Velton Brown Jr. (WR/DB), Ja’Deion High (WR/DB), Jamie Kennedy (DB/WR), Shawn Theard Jr. (rusher/WR), Laderrick "Pablo" Smith (WR/QB).[1][4]

Brady said in a statement: "Having Team USA as the third team... elevates the already world-class talent... I’m not coming back to the football field to lose. That’s for damn sure."[1][2]

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

Sources

1. FOX Sports, "Tom Brady, NFL stars’ flag football classic moved from Saudi Arabia to Los Angeles", December 16, 2024, https://www.foxsports.com/stories/other/tom-brady-nfl-stars-flag-football-classic-moved-los-angeles-saudi-arabia
2. NFL.com, "Fanatics' Tom Brady flag football classic with NFL stars relocated from Saudi Arabia to BMO Stadium in L.A.", December 16, 2024, https://www.nfl.com/news/fanatics-tom-brady-flag-football-classic-moved-from-riyadh-to-los-angeles-bmo-stadium
3. Yahoo Sports, "Fanatics Flag Football Classic featuring Tom Brady, NFL stars moves from Saudi Arabia to LA", December 16, 2024, https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/breaking-news/article/fanatics-flag-football-classic-featuring-tom-brady-nfl-stars-moves-from-saudi-arabia-to-la-231637032.html
4. USA Football, "2024 IFAF Flag World Championship Men's Roster", 2024 (accessed December 2024), https://www.usafootball.com/flag-national-teams/mens-flag-national-team-roster/