Tom Brady Coming Out Of Retirement To Play Flag Football In 2026

Tom Brady is coming out of retirement to play in a global flag football event. View the details of this massive announcement below.

Tom Brady To Play In Flag Football Game

Tom Brady, Fanatics, FOX Sports and OBB Media are teaming up to deliver "The Fanatics Flag Football Classic" — a first-of-its-kind round-robin tournament featuring three teams of incredible current and legendary professional football players and world-class athletes.

🏈 Brady… pic.twitter.com/BLMsXYNdQl

— FOX Sports PR (@FOXSportsPR) September 15, 2025

The “Greatest of All Time” is going to play another (flag) football game.

Brady, Fanatics, FOX Sports, and OBB Media will partner to host a flag football event on Saturday, March 21, 2026.

The event will take place at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as part of this year’s Riyadh Season.

The Fanatics Flag Football Classic will feature a round-robin tournament consisting of three teams with NFL players — current and former — and top athletes and entertainers. Brady, who retired in 2023, will play in the game.

“I couldn’t be more excited to return to the field, get the competitive juices flowing alongside some of the game’s brightest stars and iconic legends, and bring a truly unique global sports event to fans everywhere during Riyadh Season,” Brady said in a statement. “I have always admired the power of flag football and how it connects fans of all ages, and it’s awesome to be able to showcase the sport on such a global stage while joining together so many incredibly skilled athletes.

“I’m looking forward to partnering with Turki Alalshikh, Fanatics, OBB Media, my team at Shadow Lion and my friends at FOX Sports to showcase some fierce competition. And I will be bringing home the trophy.”

Who Else Is Playing In The Fanatics Flag Football Classic?

Tom Brady is BACK! Kind of…

He just announced he’s joining a handful of NFL players for the Fanatics Flag Football Classic – a flag football tournament in Saudi Arabia on March 21, 2026 #Raiders coach Pete Carroll will also be coaching one of the teams pic.twitter.com/J2qK44QWc1

— Jesse Merrick – Silver & Black Sports Network (@JesseSBSN) September 15, 2025

The group of players participating in the game features All-Pro talent of the past and present.

Confirmed players include Saquon Barkley, CeeDee Lamb, Christian McCaffrey, Sauce Gardner, Myles Garrett, Brock Bowers, Maxx Crosby, Tyreek Hill, Odell Beckham Jr., and Rob Gronkowski.

The three teams will be coached by Pete Carroll, Sean Payton, and Kyle Shanahan.

“Alongside Tom, football’s greatest global ambassador, Turki Alalshikh and his team in Saudi Arabia, FOX Sports, and our partners at OBB Media and many others, this event will bring together icons from every corner of sports, entertainment, and culture for an experience unlike anything we’ve ever seen,” Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin said.

Kevin Hart will host the tournament, which will air on FOX Sports and Tubi.

Flag football continues to be one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. In 2028, flag football will make its Olympic debut in Los Angeles.