Tom Brady comes out of retirement to play flag football

Tom Brady is back—and this time, he’s trading shoulder pads for flags. The legendary quarterback, who retired from the NFL in 2023, is set to headline the inaugural Fanatics Flag Football Classic, a global showcase of elite talent and entertainment, scheduled for March 21, 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

A new chapter for the GOAT

Brady, known for his iconic runs with the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, will join a roster packed with NFL legends and world-class athletes in a round-robin format featuring three teams of eight players each.

The event is part of Riyadh Season, a cultural and sports initiative backed by Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority.

“Riyadh Season is proud to host world-class events, and this will be the biggest flag football competition of its kind,” said Alalshikh. “We’re bringing together some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment for what promises to be an unforgettable, highly competitive event.”

Broadcast and format details

The tournament will follow Olympic-style flag football rules, played on a 50-yard field with 10-yard end zones. Each game will feature 5-on-5 matchups, split into two 20-minute halves. Coverage will be handled by FOX, in partnership with OBB Media, Fanatics, and Shadow Lion—Brady’s own media company.

Who’s playing with Brady?

The lineup reads like a Pro Bowl dream team. Confirmed participants include:

Coaching legends on the sidelines

Adding to the competitive edge, each team will be led by a coaching titan:

A global stage for Flag Football

This event marks a major step in the sport’s global expansion, especially as flag football gears up for its Olympic debut in Los Angeles 2028.

With Brady at the helm and a cast of NFL stars, the Fanatics Flag Football Classic is poised to elevate the game to new heights.

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