Countdown to flag football's Olympic debut
Counting down to the beginning of the first scheduled competition day, July 15, 2028, in Los Angeles time. An exact first-game start time is not claimed.
History will be made
FLAG FOOTBALL MAKES ITS OLYMPIC DEBUT
LOS ANGELES 2028
LA28, Ongoing
Learn More About LA28 Flag FootballWomen's and men's flag football will compete on the Olympic stage for the first time at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. The Olympic program includes separate six-team women's and men's tournaments at Exposition Park Stadium.
- Olympic debut
- Women's + men's
- 5-on-5
- July 15-22, 2028
- Exposition Park Stadium
You’ll be redirected to FlagFootballSource.com, an independent, free resource for news and updates from across the sport.
GROWTH AT A GLANCE
Each figure states what it measures, who reported it and when. Numbers that measure different things are shown separately.
20 MILLION PLAYERS
NFL-reported estimate of worldwide participation
The NFL reports approximately 20 million flag football players worldwide. This is a reported global estimate, not an independently audited census.
Measures: Estimated global flag football participants as reported by the NFL.
24 STATES SANCTIONED
Sanctioned girls' varsity flag football as of August 2026
In July 2022, six states had sanctioned girls' flag football. By August 2026, the reported number had grown to 24. Sanctioned varsity status is not the same as a pilot program, a club program or general availability in a state.
Measures: States whose high-school association has formally sanctioned girls' flag football as a varsity sport.
38 STATES
Offer girls' high-school flag football programming
This broader figure includes states where girls' high-school flag football is offered, but it does not mean all 38 have formally sanctioned it as a varsity championship sport.
Measures: States with girls' high-school flag football programming of any kind, including sanctioned, pilot and other programs.
267,200+ GIRLS
Ages 6 to 17 reportedly played flag football in 2024
USA Football reported a 57% increase in participation among girls ages 6 to 17 from 2015 through 2024.
Measures: Youth participants ages 6 to 17 reported by USA Football for calendar year 2024.
283% GROWTH
Reported increase among girls ages 6 to 12 from 2015 through 2024
USA Football reported more than 144,500 girls ages 6 to 12 participating in flag football in 2024.
Measures: Change in reported participation among girls ages 6 to 12 across the 2015 to 2024 reporting period.
102,360 ATHLETES
Girls participated in high-school flag football nationwide during the 2025-26 school year
Girls' high-school flag football participation increased from 68,847 athletes in 2024-25 to 102,360 athletes in 2025-26. That represents 33,513 additional athletes and approximately 49% year-over-year growth.
Measures: Girls' high-school flag football participants reported nationwide for the 2025-26 school year. This measures high-school girls only.
Flag football is growing quickly, and the numbers are constantly changing. Hey You're Invited™ will continue working to keep this information as current and accurate as possible. If you have verified, updated data that should be reflected here, please contact us at info@heyyoureinvited.com.
EXPLORE THE GROWTH OF FLAG FOOTBALL
Select a category to explore the numbers, opportunities and people shaping the sport.