Tom Brady takes the field today for the first time since he retired in 2023. The seven-time Super Bowl champion headlines the Fanatics Flag Football Classic, a showcase event designed to build momentum for flag football’s Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
The competition kicks off at 3 p.m. ET from BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, the same venue that will host Olympic flag football in 2028. Three 12-player teams face off in a round-robin format, with the top two advancing to a championship game.
How the 5-on-5 Flag Football Rules Work at the Fanatics Classic
Brady and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts co-captain Founders FFC, while Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels lead Wildcats FFC. The third team is the U.S. Men’s National Team, a 6-time IFAF World Champion that represents the sport’s elite practitioners.
The Fanatics Flag Football Classic follows modified Olympic-style rules, featuring two 15-minute halves with a running clock on a 50-by-25-yard field. That’s about half the size of an NFL field.
Play starts at the 5-yard line with the center snapping the ball to the quarterback. Teams have 4 downs to reach midfield, and if successful, 4 more to score.
There’s no blocking, no tackling, and no kicking of any kind. A stop is made by ripping off one of the flags attached to a ball carrier’s belt.
Touchdowns are worth 6 points. After scoring, teams can attempt a 1-point conversion from the 5-yard line or a 2-point try from the 10. There are no running plays when a team is 5 yards or less from the end zone: Every scoring drive must end with a pass.
The format rewards quick decision-making and precision routes. Everyone on offense is eligible to catch passes, which opens up the playbook considerably compared to traditional football.
Rosters, Broadcast Info, and What’s at Stake for LA 2028
Brady’s Founders squad features Eagles stars Hurts and DeVonta Smith, along with Rob Gronkowski and boxer Terence Crawford. The Wildcats roster includes Saquon Barkley, Davante Adams, DeAndre Hopkins, and crossover names like Logan Paul and iShowSpeed. Broncos head coach Sean Payton coaches Founders FFC, while San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan guides the Wildcats.
Kevin Hart hosts alongside Druski, with Hall of Fame legends Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald serving as honorary commissioners.
BE AN NFL GM: PFSN’s Ultimate GM Simulator
The event airs live on FOX, with Kevin Burkhardt and Greg Olsen on the call. Streaming options include Tubi domestically and the Fanatics YouTube channel internationally. Coverage runs through 8:30 p.m. ET.
The real intrigue surrounds Team USA. Captained by Aamir Brown and Darrell “Housh” Doucette, with head coach Jorge Cascudo, the U.S. Men’s National Team has won 6 IFAF World Championships, including 5 consecutive titles. They’re not NFL household names, but they’ve mastered a game that plays differently from the tackle version.
For the NFL stars, this event functions as an audition. Several have expressed interest in representing the United States at the 2028 Olympics, but they’ll need to prove their skills translate.
The Team USA veterans understand spacing, timing, and the nuances of pulling flags in traffic. Whether Brady and company can match that expertise, or overwhelm it with raw athleticism, gets answered tonight.
