American Football Australia and NFL Partner to Expand Flag Schools Program Ahead of LA 2028

American Football Australia has entered a partnership with the NFL to brand school-delivered flag football programs under the ‘NFL Flag’ banner, significantly expanding the sport’s commercial footprint within the Australian Sports Commission’s national Sporting Schools program.

Established in 2015, Sporting Schools provides primary and secondary students with essential physical activity pathways.

This collaboration leverages the world’s biggest football brand to accelerate domestic participation as 5-a-side non-contact flag football prepares for its official Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Games, while stakeholders continue championing its inclusion for Brisbane 2032.

Speaking on the announcement, CEO of American Football Australia, Wade Kelly, said: “American Football Australia is thrilled to be partnering with the NFL to deliver flag football through the Australian Sports Commission’s Sporting Schools program, a partnership that puts the world’s biggest football brand behind our grassroots ambitions.”

“This is another huge step in the exponential growth of flag football across Australia, opening the game up to boys and girls in schools in every corner of the country.

“Sporting Schools is the foundation our flag football programs are built on, and we have no doubt Australia’s future Olympic flag football players will come through it,” Kelly said. 

Australia’s national flag teams rank strongly internationally, with the men positioned 8th and women 10th globally.

Both squads secured qualification for the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Düsseldorf, Germany, taking place from August 13-16. Departing Friday, August 7, the squads will compete for direct Olympic qualification against top global nations.

Highlighting the commercial momentum, NFL GM– Australia and New Zealand, Charlotte Offord, added: “Australia has emerged as one of the most exciting growth markets for flag football globally, and partnering with American Football Australia allows us both to accelerate that momentum.”

“Together, we are creating a pathway that introduces more young people to the sport, strengthens participation in schools and communities, and supports the next generation of athletes.

“As interest in flag football continues to rise around the world ahead of its Olympic debut in 2028, this partnership provides a strong foundation for the long-term growth of the game in Australia,” Offord said. 

Since starting as a ten-school pilot in 2022, the NFL’s national competition has scaled to over 500 schools and 100,000 participating students.

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