With the popularity of high school girls flag football exploding in the United States, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced plans to launch professional women’s and men’s flag football leagues within the next few years. The league is aiming for rollout before the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where flag football will debut, according to the Associated Press.
Speaking at the Leaders in Sport conference in London, Goodell emphasized growing interest and the league’s commitment to building infrastructure from youth to pro levels.
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Flag football is seen by the NFL as a strategic tool to engage younger audiences globally, with colleges and international universities expressing interest.
The initiative reflects the NFL’s broader push to diversify participation and expand its global footprint through a more accessible, non-contact format.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY High School Sports Wire: NFL to launch pro flag football leagues ahead of 2028 Olympics