The Fanatics Flag Football Classic, a star-studded event led by Tom Brady and organized by Fanatics, is expected to move from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to the United States due to escalating tensions and military conflict in the region.
Originally scheduled for March 21 in Riyadh, the showcase is trending toward relocation after recent airstrikes and travel disruptions tied to rising conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. Sources familiar with the situation say an official announcement regarding the new location could arrive soon.
Despite the likely venue change, the event is still expected to take place on March 21 and will continue to be broadcast by Fox Sports and streamed on Tubi. The showcase will be hosted by comedian Kevin Hart. Moving the event to the United States would also create a more favorable viewing window for American audiences compared with Riyadh, which is eight hours ahead of the U.S. East Coast.
NFL Stars Set to Participate
The event, produced by Brady’s Shadow Lion studio, will feature several prominent NFL players participating in a high-profile flag football tournament. The announced lineup includes:
- Jayden Daniels
- Saquon Barkley
- CeeDee Lamb
- Christian McCaffrey
- Sauce Gardner
- Myles Garrett
- Brock Bowers
- Maxx Crosby
- Tyreek Hill
- Odell Beckham Jr.
- Rob Gronkowski
Three teams will compete in a round-robin format, with coaching duties handled by well-known NFL head coaches Pete Carroll, Sean Payton, and Kyle Shanahan.
Format Inspired by Olympic Flag Football
The Fanatics Flag Football Classic will follow Olympic-style flag football rules, aligning with the sport’s upcoming debut at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
Games will be played on a 50-yard field with two 10-yard end zones and will feature a 5-on-5 format. Each matchup will consist of two 20-minute halves, emphasizing speed, skill, and open-field play.
The NFL has been strongly supportive of flag football’s Olympic inclusion, viewing the format as an opportunity to expand the sport’s global reach and introduce football to new audiences.
Saudi Arabia’s Growing Interest in American Football
If the event relocates, it would represent a setback for Saudi Arabia’s broader push to expand American football within the country. Saudi officials have been actively exploring ways to bring high-profile football events to the region.
Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, previously expressed hope that hosting the Fanatics event could eventually help lead to a future NFL game in the country.
The kingdom has increasingly invested in international sports events across boxing, soccer, motorsports, and other competitions as part of its wider entertainment and tourism initiatives.
Broadcast Details Still Expected Soon
While the location may change, organizers are expected to keep March 21 as the event date. A final kickoff time and venue are expected to be announced once the relocation is confirmed.
With a roster filled with NFL stars, high-profile coaches, and a major broadcast partnership, the Fanatics Flag Football Classic remains positioned to be one of the most unique football showcases of the offseason.