2023 has proved to be a year of acceleration for the sport of flag football. From a pivotal Olympic announcement, to remarkable digital combine participation, the sport has experienced a great deal of momentum heading into 2024.
According to the International Federation of American Football, 2.4 million kids under 17 years old are playing organized flag football in the U.S., while millions more are participating in flag football around the world. To add fuel to the fire of an already rapidly growing sport, on October 16, 2023, it was announced that flag football would be added to the 2028 Olympics Games in Los Angeles, CA. Since the addition of the sport to the LA28 Games, the buzz around flag has grown tremendously.
The Path to Growth
USA Football, the sport’s national governing body, assembles and manages U.S. National Teams for international tackle and flag competition. With an eye on potential Olympic inclusion, USA Football has been working for years to develop talent at every level.
For the past two years, USA Football has teamed up with GMTM to help make U.S. National Team programs more accessible through digital combines. Digital combines are free virtual tryouts that help streamline the talent identification process by providing access for athletes across the country to easily get in front of coaches for evaluation. Athletes are able to participate from anywhere by uploading their details to the combine. Through the virtual submission process, USA Football coaches are able to see more athletes than ever before, including athletes with little to no prior flag football experience.
In 2023, USA Football hosted two adult digital combines and two junior digital combines. Over the course of the year, 569 athletes put their best foot forward and participated in the virtual activities. With over 26,000 impressions and more than 3,200 athlete submissions, the turnout was incredible.
Beyond the sheer success in numbers, the caliber and diversity of participating athletes were equally remarkable. From female high school quarterbacks to former NFL players, a diverse array of athletes showcased their prowess, affirming the inclusivity and broad appeal of flag football within the USA Football community.
The Road Ahead
This is just the tip of the iceberg for USA Football and the sport of flag football. As we approach the new year, there will be more updates and opportunities as the momentum continues.
Download the GMTM app from the App Store or Google Play to stay tuned as USA Football continues its upward trajectory.
