Tom Brady is coming out of retirement to play football again, but not quite how fans might imagine. Tom Brady Unretiring to join the Fanatics Flag Football Classic, a three-team tournament with current and former NFL stars set for March 21, 2026, at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The seven-time Super Bowl champ is teaming up with Fanatics, Fox Sports, and OBB Media for this pretty wild event. The lineup is stacked—Saquon Barkley, CeeDee Lamb, Christian McCaffrey, Myles Garrett, and Brady’s old buddy Rob Gronkowski are all in.
Three legendary coaches are on board: Pete Carroll, Sean Payton, and Kyle Shanahan. Kevin Hart will host, and the event’s pulling in athletes and celebrities from other sports too.
This tournament lands at a pretty interesting time for flag football. Flag football’s joining the Olympics in 2028 in Los Angeles, and now NFL clubs allow their players to participate in these kinds of games.
Brady called flag football “the fastest-growing sport in the world” and says he wants to help push it even further globally. Love him or not, the guy’s still got influence.
Key Takeaways – Tom Brady Unretiring
- Brady’s suiting up for flag football with NFL stars in Saudi Arabia on March 21, 2026, with teams coached by Carroll, Payton, and Shanahan.
- The event features current NFL players like Barkley and McCaffrey, plus legends like Gronkowski and Odell Beckham Jr.
- Flag football’s Olympic debut in 2028 boosted interest, and NFL clubs now let players join these tournaments.
Tom Brady’s Flag Football Comeback in Saudi Arabia
Brady’s back in action in March 2026 for the Fanatics Flag Football Classic in Riyadh. Three teams of NFL stars—past and present—will compete under Olympic-style rules at Kingdom Arena.
Details of the Fanatics Flag Football Classic
The Fanatics Flag Football Classic is a round-robin event with three teams. Games use Olympic-style flag football rules and a shortened field.
Tournament Format:
- Field Size: 50 yards with 10-yard end zones
- Players: 5 per team on the field
- Game Length: Two 20-minute halves
- Structure: Round-robin between three teams
NFL clubs voted in May to let players join. Brady says flag football connects fans of all ages, and he’s excited about it.
The tournament also acts as a warm-up for flag football’s Olympic debut in 2028. When asked about the Olympics, 47-year-old Brady just said, “We’ll see. Let’s see how this game goes.”
NFL Legends and Star Players Joining the Tournament
Brady’s teaming up with Rob Gronkowski and a bunch of current NFL stars. The roster’s honestly kind of ridiculous.
Current NFL Stars:
- Wide Receivers: CeeDee Lamb, Tyreek Hill
- Running Backs: Saquon Barkley, Christian McCaffrey
- Tight End: Brock Bowers
- Defensive Players: Myles Garrett, Maxx Crosby, Sauce Gardner
Coaching Staff:
Pete Carroll, Sean Payton, and Kyle Shanahan will coach the teams.
Brady’s presence gives the Las Vegas Raiders some unique representation: he’s an owner, Carroll coaches, Bowers is on offense, and Crosby’s on defense. Gronkowski, retired since 2021, calls this a test run for the Olympics but admits his chances are “very slim.”
Event Date, Venue, and Broadcasting Information
The Fanatics Flag Football Classic happens on March 21, 2026 at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh. It’s part of a bigger push for sports and entertainment in the region.
Broadcasting Details:
- Primary Network: Fox Sports
- Streaming Platform: Tubi
- Host: Kevin Hart
Kingdom Arena hosts this international flag football showcase. Retired legends and current stars will share the field.
Fox Sports handles TV coverage, and Tubi streams the event. Kevin Hart’s hosting should bring some laughs and energy to the tournament.
Scheduling the event in March means it won’t clash with the NFL season, so current players can actually show up and play. Smart move.
Tournament Format, Coaching Staff, and Broader Impact
The Saudi Arabia flag football tournament follows Olympic-style rules with elimination rounds. Top NFL coaches and former players will lead the squads.
Flag Football Tournament Structure and Olympic-Style Rules
The bracket-style elimination format mirrors Olympic competition. Eight teams start in the quarterfinals, then winners move through the semis to the championship.
Each game is 40 minutes, split into two 20-minute halves. Teams put five players on the field at a time, with unlimited subs during dead balls.
Key Rule Modifications:
- Players can’t make contact—no tackling
- Seven-second pass rush clock
- Four downs to cross midfield
- Touchdowns worth six, with conversion attempts
The field is 70 by 30 yards, with 10-yard end zones. Officials trained in international flag football will referee, and video reviews will settle close calls in the elimination rounds.
Prize money is $2 million, split among the top three teams. Winners get $1 million to share.
Coaches and Team Organization
Organizers are bringing in former NFL head coaches. Pete Carroll and Sean Payton already want in.
Kyle Shanahan might join as an offensive coordinator. His creative play-calling could shake things up in flag football.
Each roster has 10 players, mixing recently retired and veteran NFL talent. Teams need at least two QBs and can’t have more than four former Pro Bowlers.
Coaching Staff Structure:
- Head Coach
- Offensive Coordinator
- Defensive Coordinator
- Special Teams Coach
Training camps run for two weeks before the games. Teams practice twice a day and hit the film room for strategy.
Coaches get $100,000 stipends and performance bonuses. If you win, you pocket another $50,000.
Potential Influence on Flag Football’s Global Growth
This tournament could really speed up flag football’s international growth, especially before the 2028 Olympics. NFL players will be eligible for Olympic flag football in LA.
Fox Sports plans big coverage. Prime-time broadcasts will reach the US, while international feeds go to Europe and Asia.
Youth flag football programs in Saudi Arabia expect 300% enrollment jumps after the tournament. Schools are adding it to PE classes—pretty cool to see.
The NFL sees this as a way into Middle Eastern markets. League officials want to launch permanent flag football leagues in major Saudi cities by 2026.
International TV rights bring in $15 million. That money funds grassroots flag football across six countries.
Gear makers are seeing a huge spike in flag football orders from global distributors. Jersey sales alone shot up 400% after the announcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Tom Brady flag football tournament in Saudi Arabia has NFL fans buzzing. It brings together current and former NFL stars for a one-of-a-kind showdown in March 2025.
What are the rules and format of the flag football game in Saudi Arabia involving NFL legends?
The Fanatics Flag Football Classic uses a three-team tournament. Everything goes down at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh on March 21, 2025.
Three NFL coaches—Pete Carroll (Las Vegas), Sean Payton (Denver), and Kyle Shanahan (San Francisco)—lead the squads. The exact rules aren’t fully public, but it’s traditional flag football: no tackling, just flag-pulling to end plays.
Who are the NFL legends confirmed to join Tom Brady in the Saudi flag football event?
Some huge names are confirmed. Rob Gronkowski is reuniting with Brady for the tournament.
Current stars like Saquon Barkley, CeeDee Lamb, and Christian McCaffrey are in. Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby is also on board.
Gronkowski says he’s pumped to compete again without the hits. He’s ready to run some routes with Brady one more time.
How does Tom Brady’s participation in Saudi flag football affect his NFL legacy?
Brady’s flag football appearance keeps his competitive streak alive. The seven-time Super Bowl champ might be retired, but he’s not done with sports.
His involvement ties in with the 2028 Olympics. With flag football set for its Olympic debut in LA, NFL players suddenly have new opportunities.
Brady’s participation shows he’s still a major football influencer. His star power helps put flag football on the global map.
What are the implications for Saudi sports culture with NFL legends like Tom Brady playing flag football there?
Saudi Arabia keeps pouring resources into international sports. Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority, is teaming up with Brady to get this tournament off the ground.
Honestly, it fits the kingdom’s recent trend—just look at all the big golf, boxing, and soccer events they’ve brought in. They’re not shy about wanting a spot on the global sports map.
Now, flag football joins the mix. American football isn’t exactly a staple there, so this feels like a bold move to diversify and maybe even shake things up a bit.
What are the dates and location for the flag football event in Saudi Arabia featuring Tom Brady?
The Fanatics Flag Football Classic lands on March 21, 2025. They’ve picked Kingdom Arena in Riyadh for the action.
Brady says he’s in for several years, not just a one-off. This first event is really just the kickoff—pun intended—for what could turn into a regular thing.
It’s also kind of clever timing. With flag football coming to the 2028 Olympics, this gives NFL players a head start and maybe a taste of what’s to come.
Are there any broadcasting deals or streaming services where I can watch the flag football game with Tom Brady and other NFL legends?
Fox Sports will televise the tournament. So, if you’re in the U.S. and want to catch Brady and other NFL stars, that’s your main option.
Comedian Kevin Hart takes on hosting duties for the event. Honestly, having him there should make things a bit more fun than your usual flag football broadcast.
At this point, nobody’s mentioned exact streaming options. Fox Sports usually streams their televised events on their digital platforms, though, so that’s probably your best bet for now.
