The Spire

Colin Healy ’25

Sports Editor

For all you backyard dreamers, it’s time to set your sights on the summer of ‘28. The International Olympic Committee approved five new sports for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles, with flag football being the headliner. Though not known as much globally, American Football will nonetheless take the world stage in five years time.

The Olympics have added numerous new sports in the last few summer iterations, like golf, surfing, rock-climbing, and skateboarding. Flag football, and football in general, certainly does not scream Olympic sport, though the same can be said for some of those newer sports. Thanks to their successful debuts, the IOC is hoping for the same with flag football. 

Since the announcement by the IOC, the response has been mostly positive, especially in the United States and among the NFL. NFL executives have already voiced their support and encouragement for players to compete in the Games, and certain players have already expressed interest in competing. Tyreek Hill and Micah Parsons are among some of the most vocal supporters for NFL players to compete, which would add an exponential amount of energy to the sport at the ‘28 Games. 

It’s all but guaranteed that NFL players will take part in the ‘28 Games. The NFL has even started to run advertisements promoting the news in hopes to grow the game. In looking at the other major North American sports leagues, league commissioners have taken contrasting stances on letting players play. The best basketball players from the NBA always star in Olympic games, though NHLers have missed the last two Winter Games. Granted, the NBA is in its off season during the Summer Games, while the NHL season has to be paused for multiple weeks. Since the NFL will be in the off-season, it’s all systems go. Thanksgiving Day two hand touch games may have slightly more significance now, but the Olympics will be left to the pros. 

Along with flag football, the IOC announced lacrosse, squash, cricket, and baseball-softball will appear at the 2028 Games. Cricket and lacrosse have been featured in the Olympics before, but it’s been some time. Cricket is back after a lone appearance in 1900, while Lacrosse returns for the third time after back to back Games in 1904 and 1908. Squash is making its Olympic debut, which has been in the works for some time. The sport has been voted down several times before in previous bids, but it will be on the docket in Los Angeles.

Interestingly, baseball and softball are not being played in the 2024 Paris Games. After missing three consecutive Games after the 2008 Beijing Summer Games, both sports returned for the 2020 competition in Tokyo. They will skip Paris in 2024 but will be back in 2028. Beloved in the United States, the two sports will be very popular for fans and attendees.

Flag football will be played with five players a side, on a 25 yard by 50 yard field. Much of the rules echo that of tackle football, though of course without the tackling. Extra points will also be scored by running a play from scrimmage on either the two yard line for one point or the ten yard line for two points. There will be both a men’s competition and a women’s competition.

It’s unorthodox for sure, but flag football at the Olympics is official. 2028 is still a long way out, but minds are already wandering to what the sport will look like when the world descends on Los Angeles. Whether curious or skeptical, it will certainly be interesting to see this all play out on the Olympic stage.