Fanatics Flag Football Classic Takes Over LA w/Tom Brady, JAY-Z, Lalen Hurts and NFL Stars

*The stars of the Fanatics Flag Football Classic took over Los Angeles Thursday night, stepping out at Alba in West Hollywood for a scene that blurred the lines between sports, entertainment, and culture.

JAY-Z, Kendall Jenner, Hailey Bieber, Mick Jagger, Travis Scott, Barry Keoghan, and Kevin Hart joined football royalty Tom Brady, Jalen Hurts, Joe Burrow, Saquon Barkley, Jayden Daniels, Rob Gronkowski, and Robert Kraft for a pre-game celebration that highlighted the expansive cultural impact of the inaugural Fanatics event.

The Fanatics Flag Football Classic is a newly structured, first-of-its-kind competition featuring three 12-player teams in a round-robin tournament. Two teams are composed of current and former NFL stars, while the third is represented by USA Football’s reigning IFAF Flag Football World Champion U.S. Men’s National Team. The result is a world-class showdown between many of the biggest names in sports and the most accomplished flag football players on the planet.

Star Power & Teams

The competition features three 12-player teams battling in a round-robin format:

Team Founders: Captained by Tom Brady and Jalen Hurts, this roster is stacked with experience, featuring Rob Gronkowski, DeVonta Smith, and Stefon Diggs. For Brady, this tournament marks his first official return to a competitive football field since his retirement in 2023.

Team Wildcats: Captained by Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels, this “youth and speed” squad includes Saquon Barkley, Odell Beckham Jr., and Davante Adams.

Team USA: The reigning world champions in flag football, led by Darrell “Housh” Doucette, are looking to prove they can outplay the NFL’s best in this specific format.

Crossover Appeal

True to the Fanatics brand, the rosters extend beyond football players. Notable non-NFL participants include:

Logan Paul and Terence Crawford (combat sports)

IShowSpeed (streaming and social media)

Kevin Hart and Druski (hosting and entertainment)

The inclusion of these crossover stars underscores the event’s mission to showcase flag football as a sport that transcends traditional boundaries.

The Bigger Picture

The Fanatics Flag Football Classic serves as a high-profile showcase for flag football ahead of its Olympic debut at the LA28 Games. With the sport set to make its first appearance on the Olympic stage in just two years, events like this are designed to build momentum, attract new fans, and demonstrate the game’s appeal at the highest levels of competition.

Thursday night’s gathering at Alba in West Hollywood was more than a pre-game party—it was a statement. The convergence of NFL royalty, A-list celebrities, and cultural tastemakers signaled that flag football is no longer just a recreational pastime. It is a mainstream entertainment property with the star power to rival traditional sports.

Event Details

Location: BMO Stadium, Los Angeles (formerly Exposition Park Stadium)

Date: Saturday, March 21, 2026

Time: 1:00 p.m. PT / 4:00 p.m. ET

Format: 5-on-5 non-contact flag football with two 15-minute halves

Where to Watch: The event will be broadcast live on FOX, FOX One, and Tubi.

What to Expect

With three elite teams competing in a round-robin format, Saturday’s action promises non-stop excitement. Team Founders brings veteran leadership and championship pedigree. Team Wildcats counters with explosive athleticism and playmaking ability. Team USA enters as the wild card—the technically proficient world champions eager to prove that mastery of the flag football format can overcome NFL stardom.

For Tom Brady, the event carries added significance. Stepping onto a competitive field for the first time since his 2023 retirement, the seven-time Super Bowl champion will remind fans why he remains the most recognizable figure in football history.

For fans attending at BMO Stadium or watching from home, the Fanatics Flag Football Classic offers a glimpse into the future of a sport on the rise. With the LA28 Olympics on the horizon, this weekend’s event may well be remembered as the moment flag football arrived on the global stage.

The Fanatics Flag Football Classic kicks off Saturday, March 21 at 1:00 p.m. PT on FOX, FOX One, and Tubi. Will Team Founders, Team Wildcats, or Team USA take home the title? Share your predictions below.