The National Football League (NFL) is expanding its reach globally through flag football, a version of the sport that emphasizes speed and agility over physical contact. The league is making its presence known in Dusseldorf, Germany, where the first-ever Olympic qualifier in flag football is being held.

Flag Football on the Rise

Flag football is a five-on-five, non-contact sport that is gaining popularity worldwide. The NFL sees it as a way to introduce the sport to new audiences and create a lifelong fan base. The league has partnered with the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) to promote the sport and has established NFL-branded flag football classes in schools across Europe, Australia, and other regions.

The Olympic qualifiers in Dusseldorf feature teams from 18 countries, with the top two men’s and women’s teams earning a spot in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. The NFL has also announced plans to establish professional flag football leagues, which could provide a livelihood for some of the sport’s top players.

Growing the Sport

The NFL’s efforts to promote flag football are part of a broader strategy to grow the sport globally. The league has been expanding its international games schedule, with a record nine games planned for the upcoming season. By promoting flag football, the NFL hopes to create a new generation of fans and players who will help to drive the sport’s growth in the years to come.

According to NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent, the goal is to create a sport that is ingrained in communities around the world. “We’re still looking to become a competing global sport,” he said. “Our single games are great, they’re like concerts, but to have a sport that is ingrained around the world, it points us in that direction of more boys and girls playing, more officials officiating, more coaches coaching around the world.”

Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.