The National Football League has unveiled plans for a major new international event — the **Fanatics Flag Football Classic** — to be staged in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on 21 March 2026. Headlined by seven-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady, the showcase will take place at the state-of-the-art Kingdom Arena and marks a significant step in the NFL’s efforts to expand its global reach ahead of flag football’s Olympic debut in 2028.
The competition will feature three teams made up of current NFL stars and retired legends. Among the players expected to take part are Saquon Barkley, CeeDee Lamb, Christian McCaffrey, Sauce Gardner, Brock Bowers, Maxx Crosby, Tyreek Hill, and Myles Garrett. Teams will compete in a round-robin format, with the top two advancing to a final. The event will be broadcast live on FOX Sports and Tubi, hosted by actor and comedian Kevin Hart.
Brady said he was excited to play a role in the sport’s next global chapter. “Flag football is an incredible way to experience the game — fast, fun, and open to everyone,” he said. “Bringing this event to Saudi Arabia is a special opportunity to share the energy and teamwork of football with a new audience.”
Garrett echoed those views, saying the showcase demonstrates how quickly the sport is spreading worldwide. “The game has grown beyond borders,” he said. “This event will highlight that international enthusiasm.”
Saudi Arabia has become one of the world’s most active new hubs for major sporting events. In recent years, the Kingdom has hosted high-profile boxing matches featuring Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk; Formula 1’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah; and major football tournaments, including the Spanish and Italian Super Cups. The country is also preparing to host the **2034 FIFA World Cup**, marking another milestone in its expanding role on the global sporting calendar.
Michael D. Ratner, CEO of OBB Media — which is producing the event with Fanatics — called the Classic “a global celebration of sport, entertainment, and culture.”
As the NFL looks to bring flag football to new audiences, the 2026 Riyadh showcase signals a growing partnership between American football and an increasingly international sporting landscape.
