Tom Brady to Return to Competition in Riyadh Flag Football Event Next March

Tom Brady will return to on-field competition next March as one of the players in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic, a three-team tournament scheduled for March 21 at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh.

Brady, the seven-time Super Bowl champion and retired New England Patriots Hall of Famer, will join a roster that includes current NFL stars such as Saquon Barkley, CeeDee Lamb and Christian McCaffrey, plus players including Maxx Crosby and Rob Gronkowski. Pete Carroll, Sean Payton and Kyle Shanahan are listed as the event’s coaches. Fox Sports will televise the tournament and comedian Kevin Hart is the host.

Brady said the project is "a multi-year commitment" and described the first edition as where "everyone’s attention and energy is at." In a press release, he called the event a chance 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 has partnered with Turki Alalshikh, the chairman of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority, to stage the event. He also referenced the 2028 Olympic Games in remarks about the tournament, saying the event could serve as many NFL players’ first exposure to flag football on a global stage: "Obviously, with the Olympics coming up in 2028, I think it’s all the NFL players' first exposure to it, and I didn’t want to miss out on being a part of it."

Gronkowski, who works as an analyst on Fox Sports, said Brady invited him to play and emphasized the non-contact nature of the competition. "I was like, ‘There’s no contact, right?’" Gronkowski said. "I was like, ‘I already did all my contact in my life. I paid my dues in that department.’ I love to compete. I love to run around. I run routes every once in a while as well. It's always going to be in my blood because I've been doing it my whole entire life. It brings joy out of me."

Organizers described the March event as the inaugural edition of the Fanatics Flag Football Classic and said it will be part of Riyadh Season programming. The format calls for three teams composed of current and former NFL personnel; further roster, ticketing and broadcast details were not immediately released.

Flag football has gained increased attention in recent years as leagues and event organizers promote a version of the game that removes tackling while emphasizing speed and skill. The Riyadh tournament will provide a high-profile showcase with a mix of active players, retired stars and coaches associated with long professional careers.

Fox Sports’ telecast and celebrity hosting were presented as part of a broader effort to position the event as a global sports entertainment product. Organizers and players framed the tournament as both competitive and promotional, aimed at growing interest in flag football internationally during the city’s festival season.