Flag Football Makes Olympic Debut at LA28: Differences from Traditional Football Explained

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA — With the 2025 Super Bowl just around the corner, football fans worldwide are turning their attention to a new iteration of the sport: flag football, set to make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games. The International Federation of American Football (IFAF) has outlined the key rules and differences between flag football and traditional football.

Flag football, also known as ‘tochito,’ will feature at the LA28 Olympics, marking a historic moment for the sport. Unlike traditional football, flag football prohibits tackling, instead requiring defensive players to remove a flag from the opposing team’s player to end a play. ‘It’s a faster, more agile version of the game,’ said IFAF spokesperson Jane Smith.

The game is played on a smaller field, typically 70 yards long and 30 yards wide, with 5 players per team. Each team has 4 chances, or ‘downs,’ to advance the ball 10 yards. The scoring system mirrors traditional football, with touchdowns worth 6 points, but conversion attempts differ. After a touchdown, teams can attempt a 1-point conversion from the 5-yard line or a 2-point conversion from the 10-yard line.

‘Flag football is a great introduction to the sport without the physicality,’ said Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback, who expressed interest in participating in the Olympic event.

The 2025 Super Bowl, featuring the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles, takes place on February 9. The event will also showcase musical performances by Kendrick Lamar and SZA during halftime. Lamar, a 17-time Grammy winner, will perform without compensation, as per NFL policy, though the exposure significantly benefits his career.

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