The Canadian Football League (CFL) has given the green light for its players to participate in flag football at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. This decision was announced by the league on Monday after receiving unanimous approval from its board of governors.
Flag football will be introduced as a sport in the Olympic Games for the first time in Los Angeles. The CFL’s authorization allows the league to collaborate with the CFL Players’ Association, the International Federation of American Football (IFAF), and Olympic authorities to establish regulations governing the involvement of CFL players.
While most CFL rosters are comprised of Canadians and Americans, the league also boasts 37 global players from 16 different countries. In a similar move earlier this year, the National Football League (NFL) announced that its players would also be permitted to take part in the upcoming L.A. Games.
CFL commissioner Stewart Johnston expressed pride in allowing players to represent their countries in top-tier competition. He emphasized the unique opportunity for CFL players to showcase their skills on a global platform, contributing to the growth of the sport both in Canada and worldwide.
The Canadian men’s and women’s flag football teams have already secured their places in the 2026 world championships, a crucial step in the Olympic qualification process. Solomon Elimimian, president of the CFL Players’ Association, highlighted the significance of this opportunity for their members, noting that many CFL players’ football journeys began with flag football.
The Canadian women’s team recently claimed second place at the IFAF Continental flag football championship, while the men’s team, led by former CFL head coach Paul LaPolice, secured third place. The men’s squad includes notable talents like Antony Auclair, a former NFL tight end and Super Bowl champion with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Kevin McDonald, Executive Director of Football Canada, praised Canada’s strong high-performance pathways that have cultivated a roster of world-class talent. He expressed excitement about collaborating with the CFL to enable CFL players to compete for a chance to represent Canada on the Olympic stage, marking a significant milestone for the sport’s development.
Overall, this initiative signifies a promising era for Canadian football as it aims to achieve an Olympic berth and elevate the sport to new heights.