IFAF, the NFL and USA Football – the national governing body of American football in the United States – have joined forces to welcome today’s IOC meeting vote in Mumbai, India, with American football on the IOC’s official program will host the Olympics for the first time in history when flag football makes its debut in Los Angeles in 2028.
Today’s decision follows previous recommendations from the IOC Executive Board, the IOC Olympic Program Commission and the Los Angeles 2028 Organizing Committee and concludes a two-year evaluation process.
This comes after IFAF and the NFL launched Vision28 – a unique joint venture and partnership model – that puts flag football at the heart of shared sports development goals worldwide.
Flag football – a short, fast, non-contact and gender-equitable format known as the most accessible and inclusive version of American football – is driving an extraordinary global increase in participation in American football, particularly among women and girls.
An estimated 20 million people in more than 100 countries currently play the sport, which is growing alongside the NFL’s exploding international popularity as America’s most popular spectator sport continues to build a global fan base of 340 million.
This year, 65 national teams will take part in the continental IFAF Flag Football competition, preparing for the largest-ever IFAF Flag Football World Cup, which will take place in Lahti, Finland in August 2024.
Pierre Trochet, President of the International Federation of American Football, said:
“This is a huge moment for our sport and our global American football community. We are grateful to everyone who has taken part in this truly shared journey – and a journey that now continues in partnership with LA28, who we thank for their vision and leadership.
“We believe flag football will bring an exciting new dimension to the Games – uniting them for the first time in history with America’s number one sport in its youngest, most accessible and most inclusive format, which is already leading extraordinary growth.” particularly among young audiences, women and girls, and in new countries worldwide. We have no doubt that inclusion in the Olympic Games will further accelerate this momentum.”
Diana Flores, World Games gold medalist and Chair of the IFAF Athletes Committee, said:
“Competing in the Olympics is every athlete’s ultimate dream, and millions of flag football players around the world will go to sleep tonight dreaming of Los Angeles 2028. I would like to thank everyone who made this possible – including all of my fellow athletes and ambassadors who played such a central role in driving the project forward.
“Together, we are committed to using this incredible stage to showcase the best of flag football – its speed, athleticism and creativity, but also its power to change lives and engage new communities in the sport. As a sporting community we are proud. “We are moving forward, but our goal must be to use this opportunity to inspire, uplift and empower a new generation around the world.”
National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell said:
“Congratulations to the International Federation of American Football on this groundbreaking achievement for flag football and the global community that loves and plays our game.”
“It is a great honor for every athlete to represent their country at the Olympic Games. We have no doubt that this decision will inspire millions of young people around the world to play the sport for years to come.”
“The NFL is committed to working together to strengthen flag football’s place in the Olympic movement for the long term, and we look forward to continuing this exciting journey with IFAF, the LA28 Organizing Committee, the International Olympic Committee and USA Football. “
USA Football CEO and IFAF Vice President Scott Hallenbeck said:
“Today is a momentous day for American football. We are incredibly grateful to the IOC and the LA28 Organizing Committee for recognizing flag football as a sport worthy of inclusion in the Olympic Games, and we share our enthusiasm and celebrate this historic event with the millions of people .” Flag football players across our country.
“The decision to add flag football to the program for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles is a recognition of the sport’s tremendous international growth and appeal as a fast, exciting and competitive sport.”
“USA Football works tirelessly to support the exponential growth of the sport at all levels by encouraging the creation of more opportunities to play, and participation in the Olympics will have a transformative impact on our sport – from grassroots football to our elite national teams of the USA.” .
“As the governing body of American football in the United States, we are committed to continuing to work closely with the IFAF, the USOPC and the NFL as we continue our collective efforts to develop the sport for current and future generations.”