League owners have approved a resolution allowing NFL players to participate in the 2028 Summer Olympic Games. This decision, made during spring meetings in Minneapolis, Minnesota, will enable the league’s top athletes to represent their home countries in flag football at the games hosted in Los Angeles, California.
The resolution passed without any dissenting votes. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell expressed the significance of this opportunity: “It’s an incredible honor for any athlete to represent their country in the Olympics, which is the pinnacle of global sport.”
Under the new terms, each NFL team can send one player to the Olympics. Additionally, if designated by their club, an international player from each team may also participate. The process for players aspiring to join an Olympic team involves tryouts or qualifications before national Olympic committees finalize rosters based on proposals from national federations.
The Olympic flag football format will include six men’s and women’s teams with ten players each. Games will feature five-on-five contests consistent with NFL FLAG rules. According to the official Olympics page for flag football, games will be played on a field measuring 70 yards long and 25 yards wide and last 40 minutes with two 20-minute halves.
Teams start with possession at their own 5-yard line and must reach midfield within four downs. After reaching midfield, they have another four downs to score a touchdown. Play ends when a player’s flag is removed or when specific conditions occur such as going out of bounds or an incomplete forward pass.
Touchdowns are worth six points, followed by options for extra points: one point from the 5-yard line or two points from the 10-yard line. If scores are tied after regulation time, teams enter sudden-death overtime.
The opening ceremony for the 2028 Summer Olympics is scheduled for Friday, July 14th, with events continuing until Sunday, July 30th.
