New Pro Flag Football League Set for 2027

The NFL and TMRW Sports announced on Monday the creation of Premier Flag, a new professional league for men and women. The competition is scheduled to launch in the summer of 2027. This timing places the start of the league one year before flag football makes its debut at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

The new league aims to provide elite athletes with a stable income. Currently, many top players must maintain day jobs while training. Premier Flag intends to offer coaching, conditioning programs, and health benefits. The specific salary structure is still under development. The organization has not yet determined the final number of teams or the specific U.S. city that will host the games.

Several high-profile athletes have already signed on as ambassadors for the league. These include Ashlea Klam and Izzy Geraci, both stars of the USA Football women's national team. Darrell “Housh” Doucette III, a prominent male player, has also joined. Doucette described the opportunity as a major milestone for the sport.

“Means the world to us as flag players,” Doucette said. “We can finally be paid for the sport we invested so much money and time in. The sacrifices we had to make to be great players have finally paid off, and we are excited for the new opportunity.”

The announcement follows a period of rapid expansion for the sport. Flag football is now a sanctioned varsity sport in more than 20 states. The National Collegiate Athletic Association will vote in January on whether to make it a championship sport. If approved, the first national title game could be held in the spring of 2028.

TMRW Sports, which previously launched the indoor golf league TGL, is managing the project. The company describes Premier Flag as a data-driven effort to establish professional standards for the game. It is working with the International Federation of American Football to test rules, formats, and equipment. Brian Flinn, senior vice president of global flag football for the NFL, said the league establishes the pinnacle of the sport’s global pathway.

Talent identification efforts are already underway. TMRW Sports and the NFL held a combine at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London last month. A Premier Flag Combine is scheduled for next year. Additional events include a showcase in Mexico City this November and a Premier Flag Showcase during Super Bowl week in Los Angeles.

Scott Hallenbeck, CEO of USA Football, praised the move. He stated that the league offers a path for national team athletes and young fans alike. “This is an exciting opportunity for everyone from our national team athletes to the kids who dream of playing at the highest level,” Hallenbeck said. “It’s another sign that flag football has arrived, with a professional league and a place at the pinnacle of global sport, the Olympics. It’s great for the growth of our game.”