The NFL and the municipal government of Guarulhos launched the NFL Flag program across 50 municipal schools on Friday, bringing non-contact American football directly to physical education classes.
Guarulhos Certifies 100 Teachers for Flag Football Lessons
The initial rollout begins with the professional certification of 100 physical education teachers in Guarulhos. These instructors will lead the implementation of flag football lessons utilizing professional-grade equipment supplied to every participating school facility across the municipal network.
Students Gain Access to NFL Flag Tournament Calendar
Students enrolled in the participating schools will gain immediate access to the nationwide NFL Flag tournament calendar. Beginning next season, regional championships for the sport will exclusively feature schools and non-profit sports social projects officially linked to the NFL Flag network.
“Bringing a modality like flag football to Guarulhos’ education system through a partnership with the NFL, one of the world’s leading sports authorities, represents a major advancement for our network,” said Guarulhos Rafael Carvalho. “Beyond introducing a new sport, we are expanding learning opportunities and encouraging teamwork, discipline, respect, and the comprehensive development of our students.”
National Expansion and Olympic Horizon
Originally launched in Brazil in 2023, the official NFL flag football initiative currently reaches more than 10,000 young participants through free public school programs. The league expanded its footprint beyond São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro this year, establishing partnerships in Petrópolis, Paraná, and Curitiba before adding Guarulhos to the roster.
“It is fantastic to follow the evolution of NFL Flag across Brazil,” said Luis Martinez, general manager of the NFL in Brazil. “We are continuously gaining ground through strong partnerships with municipal and state secretariats to impact the Brazilian sports foundation, which is children and youth.”
The expansion follows a September announcement by the league detailing a nearly $160,000 investment—approximately R$ 802,000—distributed among four Brazilian social organizations: Fundação Gol Letra in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, Eprocad, and UmRio. These programs collectively engage more than 3,000 participants.
Played entirely without physical contact, flag football boasts roughly 20 million participants across more than 100 countries. The discipline is scheduled to make its official Olympic debut at the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.
