The world’s first ever purpose-built flag football stadium will be created ahead of its Olympic debut.
Populous — a firm with a long history of working with NFL teams — has been awarded the contract.
TMRW Sports is behind the venture to create a new flag football league ahead of LA 2028.
It has already delivered success with arena based golf in TGL and boasts greats like Peyton Manning, Joe Montana, Steve Young, Larry Fitzgerald, and Tom Brady as investors.
The stadium will host the league and aims to set a “new benchmark” for flag football’s fan experience.
Designed to bring fans close to the action, it will feature a broadcast-oriented layout to ensure camera positions are well placed to capture the action.
Commercial real estate firm Transwestern will oversee the host city selection process, per Front Office Sports.
It will not be a permanent build, meaning the stadium could be assembled elsewhere in future.
“Together with world-class partners, we’re designing a stadium built specifically for flag football to create an immersive environment that inspires the next generation to see themselves competing on this ultimate stage,” said Katie Fitzpatrick — chief financial officer and senior vice-president of construction and real estate at TMRW Sports.
“This stadium will become a cultural centrepiece for both the sport and its host city, bringing global recognition to the community, increase tourism and provide family-friendly entertainment throughout the summer.
“It also presents a blank canvas for commercial partners to create innovative brand experiences through premium hospitality, integrated activations and naming rights.”
Populous principal Meg McWilliam added: “Professional flag football gives us a rare opportunity to help shape the experience of a sport from the ground up. We get to help define not only where the sport is played, but how people will experience it for years to come.
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“Rather than adapting an existing venue, we’re designing an experience that is purpose-built around the speed, energy and intimacy of the game.
“Every decision, from how fans connect with the action and how the broadcast is integrated, to hospitality, flexibility and the way the venue comes alive beyond game day, is being made to create an atmosphere that feels unmistakably unique to professional flag football.”
Populous is the firm behind the Buffalo Bills’ New Highmark Stadium, which will make its debut in 2026 and has also been named the lead architect on the Kansas City Chiefs’ new practice facility.
Flag football breaks viewing records
Flag football is on the rise with The NFL Flag girls high school title game drawing 1.12 million viewers Sunday — breaking the all-time record.
In total, 14.3 million unique viewers watched the sport on Disney-owned platforms over the weekend.
“It’s been a long time coming,” Fitzgerald said of the league. “And I think just with the growth of the game, as you see it expanded internationally, obviously with the Olympic announcement of flag football coming, we thought it would be a great opportunity to really expand it.”
NFL Stadium Status
The NFL has thrown its clout behind flag football, with Billie Jean King, Ilana Kloss, Alex Morgan, and Serena Williams all on board as investors alongside Ariel Investments/Project Level, Bessemer Venture Partners, Blue Pool Capital, Dynasty Equity, Silver Lake, Sixth Street, 776/Alexis Ohanian, APEX Capital, Arctos Partners, Bolt Ventures, Next Legacy Partners, Trenches Capital, and Trybe Ventures.
“The momentum behind flag football has been building for decades,” TMRW Sports founder and CEO Mike McCarley. “The pathway is there. And I think a lot of you are seeing in your communities where from youth to high school, now in college, and in two years at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
“What’s been missing in that pathway is a professional league and that professional league is where these kids can aspire to go play and where the athletes who will compete in the Olympics every four years can earn a living and do it in the sport that they grew up chasing and pursuing that sport that they love to play, football. We are here to help the NFL build this league.”
The format of the league is yet to be announced but it will give pro flag players a chance to showcase their skills.
Team USA has dominated the sport but its current stars face losing out to NFL players when LA 2028 rolls around and Brady could even force through rule changes.
