NFL launches paid flag football league for 2027

More than 20 U.S. states now sanction flag football as a varsity sport, a growing base that the NFL and TMRW Sports aim to expand into a professional circuit.

The two organizations announced on Monday the creation of Premier Flag, a new professional league for men and women. The competition is scheduled to launch in the summer of 2027. This timing places the league one year before flag football makes its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

The league is designed to allow elite athletes to leave their day jobs and focus on the sport full time. Players will receive coaching, conditioning support, and health benefits. The specific salary structure is still under development. The league has not yet announced which U.S. city will host the matches.

Several high-profile players have already signed on as ambassadors for the new league. These include Ashlea Klam and Izzy Geraci, both of whom play on the USA Football women's national team. Darrell Doucette III, a player on the men's side, is also part of the initial group. Doucette described the move as a turning point for athletes who spent years investing money and time into the game without professional compensation.

"Means the world to us as flag players," Doucette said. "We can finally be paid for the sport we invested so much money and time in. The sacrifices we had to make to be great players have finally paid off, and we are excited for the new opportunity."

TMRW Sports is bringing its experience from the indoor golf league TGL to this new project. The company is working with the International Federation of American Football, the sport's global governing body. Together, they are testing rules, formats, and equipment to establish a professional standard. TMRW Sports describes the approach as data-driven.

The organizations have already begun identifying talent for the 2027 season. A combine was held last month at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. Top performers from that event will advance to a Premier Flag Combine next year. Another talent identification event is scheduled for November in Mexico City. A Premier Flag Showcase is also planned for Super Bowl week in Los Angeles.

Brian Flinn, the NFL's senior vice president of global flag football, stated that the launch creates a new professional opportunity for the world's best players. He added that it establishes the pinnacle of the sport's growing global pathway. Scott Hallenbeck, CEO of USA Football, called the move an exciting opportunity for national team athletes and young players who dream of competing at the highest level.