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The Fanatics Flag Football Classic, the groundbreaking global event from Fanatics Studios, Tom Brady and FOX Sports, is at full capacity for its inaugural event, and as promised, some of the best in the NFL will be playing at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on March 21st.
The game was originally scheduled to be played at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, but it was officially announced Monday that it would move to LA amid ongoing military operations in the Middle East involving the United States, Israel, Iran and others.
BMO Stadium, the host venue for flag football at the 2028 Olympics, will host Brady’s return to a football field for the first time since his retirement in 2023, but will also feature some of the best in the game.
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Fanatics released its full roster for its first Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on March 21, 2026. (Fanatics)
When Fanatics announced the move, a newly structured, first-of-its-kind competition format was also unveiled: three 12-player teams, two of which are comprised of NFL All-Stars. The final team will be represented by USA Football’s reigning IFAF Flag Football World Champion Men’s National Team.
The first team, Founders FFC, will be led by Brady and Philadelphia Eagles star quarterback Jalen Hurts while being coached by Sean Payton of the Denver Broncos. Then the Wildcats FFC will feature Washington Commanders young star Jayden Daniels and savvy Cincinnati Bengals veteran signal caller Joe Burrow, who will be coached by San Francisco 49ers’ Kyle Shanahan.
FANATICS MOVE FLAG FOOTBALL GAME WITH TOM BRADY, NFL STAR FROM SAUDI ARABIA
Also, Robert Saleh, who just took over for the Tennessee Titans, will serve as a defensive specialist for both teams in the event.
Making this event more fun is the fact that the Founders FFC and Wildcats FFC will have a draft on March 18th to determine the 12-man teams. And the full player pool has been released:
– Running Backs: Saquon Barkley (Eagles), Alvin Kamara (Saints), Ashton Jeanty (Raiders)
– Wide receivers/tight ends: Davante Adams (Rams), Odell Beckham Jr. (FA), Stefon Diggs (FA), Rob Gronkowski, DeAndre Hopkins (FA), Kyle Juszczyk (49ers), Deebo Samuel (FA), DeVonta Smith (Eagles)
– Linebackers/Defensive Backs: Myles Garrett (Browns), Derwin James Jr. (Chargers), Luke Kuechly (Hall of Fame Class of 2026), Tyrann Mathieu, Von Miller (FA), Jalen Ramsey (Steelers)
Rounding out the teams are world-class athletes and entertainers: Logan Paul, IShowSpeed and Terrence “Bud” Crawford.
Philadelphia Eagles’ Saquon Barkley celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
The US men’s national team is one that Brady can’t wait to see compete against.
“Having Team USA as the third team in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic elevates the already world-class talent participating in this tournament,” the legendary quarterback said in a statement. “I’m excited to see how these teams do and the fact that we’ll be playing in the same stadium that will host flag football during the Olympics will show the world a taste of what’s to come in 2028. But I’m not coming back to the football field to lose. That’s for sure.”
The men’s national team is as follows:
– Aamir Brown: DB/WR/Captain
– Darrell “Housh” Doucette III: QB/ATH
– Isaiah Calhoun: DB/WR
– Nico Casares: QB
– Mike Daniels: DB/WR
– Laval Davis: WR/Rusher
– Tyler Davis: WR/DB
– Velton Brown Jr.: WR/DB
– Ja’Deion High: WR/DB
– Jamie Kennedy: DB/WR
– Shawn Theard Jr.: Rusher/WR
– Laderrick ‘Pablo’ Smith: WR/QB
The Flag Football Classic has also added two members of the Class of 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame – Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald – who will serve as commissioners for the event.
Tom Brady greets fans before the NFL Super Bowl LX football game between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium on February 8, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
The Flag Football Classic will air live on FOX Sports, FOX One and Tubi from 4-8:30 PM ET on March 21, while Fanatics will stream the event internationally on their YouTube channel. Actor and comedian Kevin Hart will serve as host for the event, and comedian Druski will provide commentary alongside him.
The games will follow modified Olympic flag football rules, which feature two 15-minute halves with a running clock on a 50-by-25-yard field. It will be five-on-five, with each team facing each other in a round-robin format before the top two teams advance to the championship.
