Flag football arrived in Bilbao on Tuesday as the Chicago Bears hosted a youth and media clinic at Lezama, offering local participants a direct look at the non-contact sport ahead of its upcoming Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
Chicago Bears Bring Flag Football Clinic to Lezama Facilities
The NFL franchise traveled to the Basque Country as part of an international development strategy that began in 2022, when the league permitted teams to expand marketing efforts into designated global territories including the United Kingdom and Spain. Gustavo Silva, director of development for the Chicago Bears, noted that the initiative aims to build familiarity with the sport abroad. “We started this project in 2022, when the NFL gave teams the opportunity to go to other places in the world,” Silva said. “We chose the United Kingdom and Spain. It is an opportunity to introduce our sport here. They have loved it.”
🐻 @ChicagoBears legend Roberto Garza and @Athletic_en president Jon Uriarte exchanged jerseys before #AthleticGetafe 🏈 The @NFL franchise will be running flag football clinics for our academy players at Lezama on Monday and Tuesday.❤️ Welcome to The Cathedral, Bears!… pic.twitter.com/eYcwCNUen4
Tuesday’s session at Lezama was led by Roberto Garza, who spent 12 seasons with the Chicago organization. Garza directed drills for children and local journalists, emphasizing accessibility and basic participation. “You only need a ball and a desire to have a good time,” Garza said. “It is a nice experience for the children who have come. The important thing is that they exercise and have a good time.” Garza attended Sunday’s match at San Mamés, where he watched Athletic Club defeat Getafe.
Olympic Inclusion Drives Growth Across Spain
Unlike traditional American football, flag football eliminates full-contact tackles to reduce injury risk, requiring defenders to pull flags attached to a ball-carrier’s belt. Flag football will be part of the sports program of the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Games, a decision that has accelerated development programs globally.
Silva indicated that the league is actively working toward establishing professional men’s and women’s flag football leagues, anticipating increased interest as the Olympic tournament approaches. In Spain, the women’s national team is preparing for crucial qualification rounds. Sabrina Marques, a member of the Spanish national team and a former European Championship runner-up, highlighted the significance of the upcoming European competition in August. “We have the Europeans in August. We finished eighth in the last World Cup and this is our only opportunity,” Marques said, noting that only six nations will compete in the Olympic tournament in Los Angeles.
Upcoming NFL Fixtures Scheduled in Madrid and Bilbao
The flag football outreach coincides with the NFL’s broader schedule of games in Spain. Estadio Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid is scheduled to host its second NFL game on November 8, followed by two Thanksgiving Day fixtures at San Mamés in Bilbao on November 26.
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