Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Tom Brady will make his long-awaited return to the field in Saudi Arabia next year, leading the inaugural Fanatics Flag Football Classic at Kingdom Arena on March 21, 2026, as part of Riyadh Season.

The seven-time Super Bowl champion will join some of football’s biggest names — including Saquon Barkley, CeeDee Lamb, Christian McCaffrey, Sauce Gardner, Tyreek Hill, Odell Beckham Jr. and longtime teammate Rob Gronkowski — in a groundbreaking event that pairs NFL icons with global stars from sports and entertainment.

The showcase will be broadcast live on FOX Sports and Tubi, with comedian Kevin Hart serving as host.

Produced by OBB Media and Fanatics, the round-robin tournament will feature three teams of eight players, coached by Pete Carroll, Sean Payton and Kyle Shanahan.

The top two sides will advance to a championship game.

The event highlights flag football’s rapid rise — now with more than 20 million players worldwide — ahead of its Olympic debut at the LA28 Summer Games.

Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, said Riyadh Season continues to build on its mission of staging world-class events: “This is certain to be the biggest competition of its kind yet in flag football. We are pleased to be playing our part in supporting flag football’s growth and using Riyadh Season to bring the game to a wider audience around the world.”

Brady added: “I couldn’t be more excited to return to the field, get the competitive juices flowing, and showcase flag football on a global stage. It’s awesome to be able to bring this sport to fans in Riyadh alongside so many incredible athletes.”

The Fanatics Flag Football Classic promises a unique blend of NFL legends, top athletes, and entertainment figures, positioning Riyadh as host of the most spectacular flag football event to date.