The NFL took an important step to further expand the popularization of flag football. According to CBS Sports, on Wednesday (10), the league’s 32 clubs voted, in a virtual meeting, to approve a collective investment for the development and launch of a professional league in the sport.
The decision authorized 32 Equity (NFL’s collective investment fund) to enter into a partnership with an organization responsible for operating the new league and allocate up to US$32 million (around R$173.8 million) to the project. The movement reinforces the NFL’s long-term commitment to promoting flag football on all fronts, following the growth and evolution of the sport around the world.
“Today’s vote represents a crucial step toward establishing flag football as an elite global sport,” said Troy Vincent Sr., NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations. “We are creating the infrastructure necessary to accelerate the development of the sport, establishing a clear path for athletes to advance from grassroots and high school programs to university and now to the professional level. We look forward to entering into a partnership that turns this vision into a reality and provides a world-class professional experience for athletes and fans.”
With around 20 million players, flag football is one of the fastest growing sports in the world and will make its Olympic debut in Los Angeles 2028. The new professional league appears as a complement to this momentum, creating opportunities for the best athletes (men and women) to compete in high-performance competitions, expanding the reach and global appeal of the sport.
In Brazil, flag football is also experiencing accelerated expansion. The sport gained space in schools, universities and community projects, in addition to having competitions organized by the Brazilian Confederation of American Football (CBFA). The country already participates in international tournaments and maintains competitive men’s and women’s teams.
In 2025, the Brasileirão de Flag brought together around 138 teams from all regions, while more than 200 teams were officially registered in the country. Grassroots programs such as NFL Flag have also driven growth, engaging more than 4,500 young people in clinics and training activities.
The good moment was also reflected on the international scene: Brazil’s women’s team secured a place in the 2026 Flag Football World Cup, which will be played in Düsseldorf, Germany.
