The inaugural Fanatics Flag Football Classic, featuring retired quarterback Tom Brady and Washington Commanders rookie Jayden Daniels, is reportedly relocating from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to Los Angeles, according to NFL Network and The Athletic.[1][2]

The event was originally scheduled for March 20-21, 2025, at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh during Riyadh Season, in partnership with Saudi General Entertainment Authority chairman Turki Alalshikh, Fanatics, FOX Sports and OBB Media.[3] It marks the first professional flag football tournament showcasing NFL players and legends ahead of flag football's Olympic debut.[3][4]

Brady, a seven-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Daniels, the 2024 NFL No. 2 draft pick and 2023 Heisman Trophy winner, are set to play quarterback.[3] Retired tight end Rob Gronkowski, a four-time Super Bowl winner and former teammate of Brady, is also scheduled to participate.[3]

The tournament is planned as a multi-year commitment, with FOX Sports set to televise and comedian Kevin Hart hosting.[3] Brady stated in September: "It's a multi-year commitment... with the Olympics coming up in 2028, I think it’s all the NFL players' first exposure to it."[3]

The reported new venue is BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, home to Major League Soccer's Los Angeles FC and National Women's Soccer League's Angel City FC since its opening in April 2022.[1][2][5] The 22,993-capacity stadium, originally built for soccer, has been selected by LA28 to host flag football at the 2028 Olympics.[4][5]

Sources

1. The Athletic
   Article: "Fanatics Flag Football Classic with Tom Brady to move from Saudi Arabia to L.A., per report"
   Publication date: December 5, 2024
   https://www.theathletic.com/5948723/2024/12/05/fanatics-flag-football-classic-tom-brady-saudi-la/
2. NFL Network (Around the NFL)
   Article/Video: "Andrew Brandt reports Fanatics Flag Classic shifting to Los Angeles"
   Publication date: December 5, 2024
   https://www.nfl.com/videos/v2/around-the-nfl/2024/12/05/fanatics-flag-football-classic-relocates-to-la
3. NFL.com
   Article: "Tom Brady to play in Fanatics Flag Football Classic in Riyadh alongside Jayden Daniels, Rob Gronkowski and more"
   Publication date: September 16, 2024
   https://www.nfl.com/news/tom-brady-to-play-in-fanatics-flag-football-classic-in-riyadh-alongside-jayden-daniels-rob-gronkowski-and-more
4. LA28.org
   Article: "LA28 Announces Additional Venue Announcements for Los Angeles Olympics"
   Publication date: June 27, 2024
   https://la28.org/news/la28-announces-additional-venue-announcements-for-los-angeles-olympics/
5. LAFC.com
   Page: "BMO Stadium"
   Accessed date: December 6, 2024
   https://www.lafc.com/bmostadium/