Flag Football

Flag football is a non-contact variant of gridiron football in which play is stopped when a defender removes a flag from the ball carrier’s belt instead of making a tackle.

Flag football is a non-contact version of gridiron football where defenders stop play by pulling a flag from the ball carrier’s belt. It emphasizes passing, speed, and spacing, and is set to debut at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

What it is

Flag football replaces tackling with flag pulls, making it a safer, more accessible alternative to tackle football. It is widely played in recreational leagues, schools, and organizations, with rules that vary by league but generally prohibit contact like blocking or screening.

Key details

Common formats include 5-on-5 or 7-on-7 players per side, with fields often smaller than tackle football—around 70 yards long and 30 yards wide. Touchdowns typically earn 6 points, and the game is pass-heavy with an emphasis on open-field running.

Why it matters

Flag football will appear at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics as a discretionary event, marking the first inclusion of a gridiron football code in the Olympic programme. In Canada, it is played in recreational, school, and organized settings, with local rule variations that may differ from U.S.-based leagues.