NFL new flag football league, explained: What to know about organization led by Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, more

Professional flag football players certainly made their presence known after the Fanatics Flag Football Classic last month.

While it was expected that the flag football players would hold the upper edge over NFL players due to their expertise in the different format, not many expected them to dominate as handily as they did. In light of their stardom, and just before flag football makes its Olympic debut in Los Angeles in 2028, the NFL has announced a partnership with TMRW Sports to create a professional flag football league for both men and women.

The league already has major names backing its development, such as Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Joe Montana, and Eli Manning. Along with NFL Hall-of-Famers, some current NFL stars, women athletes, and other investment companies have pledged to bring this league into fruition.

Here's everything you need to know about the NFL's professional flag football league that will come to life in the future.

MORE: Recap of Fanatics Flag Football Classic with U.S. national team vs. NFL stars

NFL new flag football league, explained

On March 30, the NFL announced a partnership with TMRW Sports to create a professional flag football league for men and women. According to the International Federation of American Football (IFAF), flag football is expected to be played more than tackle football around the world in the next few years. This explains the NFL's approach to popularizing this format of play for the most-watched sport in America.

A large group of former NFL players are investing in the new league: Peyton Manning, Joe Montana, Steve Young, Larry Fitzgerald, Tom Brady, Eli Manning, Justin Tuck, Ryan Nece, and Dhani Jones. Arik Armstead, Bobby Wagner, and Russell Wilson are also investing in the NFL and TMRW Sports' new product. Some of the most iconic female figures in sports history have pledged to invest: Billie Jean King, Ilana Kloss, Alex Morgan, and Serena Williams.

“As the flag football movement continues its explosive global growth, a professional flag league completes the pathway for elite athletes to compete at every level of the game, from youth to high school and college, to the Olympic stage, and now professionally,” said Troy Vincent Sr., NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations. “This is especially meaningful for girls and young women who are helping drive the sport’s growth worldwide and who can now see their dreams in this game extend all the way to the professional level.

Who is TMRW Sports?

TMRW Sports is a company founded by Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and executive Mike McCarley to develop technology-focused approaches to sports and entertainment. The company is most-known for their role in creating TGL presented by SoFi, a primetime team golf league in partnership with the PGA TOUR.

TMRW Sports was chosen after displaying strong interest to multiple potential operators and concluded with NFL clubs authorizing 32 Equity, the member clubs’ investment vehicle, to approve an investment of up to $32 million to support operations of the new professional flag football league.

MORE: What is TGL? Learn more about Tiger Woods' indoor golf league

Flag football vs. tackle football

While the sport medium is the same, there are some notable rule changes between flag and tackle football. First, flag football is traditionally played in a 5 vs. 5 or 7 vs. 7 format, compared to tackle football's 11 vs. 11. Along with this, players are downed by a defender taking an offensive player's flag off their belt.

Flag football also has a strict "no-contact" policy, meaning players are not allowed to run into each other. This was a frequent penalty whistled at the Fanatics Flag Football Classic; the NFL players, along with Logan Paul, took a while to become accustomed to this rule.

In flag football, the offense must be able to cover at least 10 yards per play. If they are unable to complete a 10-plus yard play, the team loses one of its four downs. On 4th down, the offense has the opportunity to either attempt to run the ball into the end zone or kick a field goal for three points. Similar to tackle football, a touchdown in flag football is worth six points. Along with this, an extra point can be earned by kicking through the goalposts from the opponent’s two-yard line.

MORE: 2026 NFL free-agency grades for each signing

Can NFL players play in the flag football league?

While it's not yet known if NFL players will gain eligibility to play in this new league, NFL team owners did vote to give players access to play in the 2028 Olympics, according to ESPN.

It will be interesting to see how many NFL players do get the nod to play at the Olympics after barely being able to hold their own against the U.S. national team at the Fanatics Flag Football Classic in March. Flag football rewards the speediest and most agile players in order to protect the receiver's flags from defenders.

MORE: Explaining Shedeur Sanders' jersey number change to No. 2

What new flag football league means for 2028 Olympics

This new flag football league will look to generate more interest in this form of American football prior to the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. The NFL and TMRW Sports' new league will look to create a path for the top women and men athletes from around the world to compete on a higher stage than what was traditional for flag football.

“For more than three decades, the NFL has made a significant investment in flag football at the grassroots levels, including youth, high school and college. And now with the inclusion of flag football in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, TMRW Sports shares a vision with the NFL to further fuel fandom and participation worldwide with the development of a professional flag football league,” said Mike McCarley, Founder and CEO of TMRW Sports.