Riyadh Season 2025/2026 is already drawing attention, with one of its most exciting announcements being the Fanatics Flag Football Classic. Scheduled for 21 March 2026 at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, the event will see NFL legend Tom Brady return to the field in a star-packed tournament featuring some of the biggest names in football and entertainment.
A new Beginning for flag football
Flag football is quickly gaining recognition worldwide, and the Gulf is positioning itself as a stage for the sport’s growth. With its Olympic debut set for the Los Angeles Games in 2028, the Riyadh showcase places the Middle East firmly in the global spotlight.
For UAE residents who follow American football or international sports, the Classic represents another major event arriving in the region, adding to the momentum of Saudi Arabia and the UAE hosting world-class tournaments across multiple disciplines.
Who will feature in Riyadh?
Tom Brady is the headline attraction. The seven-time Super Bowl champion will be stepping back on the field after retiring in 2023.
He will be joined by a line-up of elite athletes, including:
- Rob Gronkowski, four-time Super Bowl champion and Brady’s former teammate
- Saquon Barkley, running back for the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles
- CeeDee Lamb, wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys
- Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers running back
- Sauce Gardner, New York Jets cornerback
- Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns defensive end
- Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins wide receiver
- Odell Beckham Jr., one of the most recognisable receivers of the past decade
More athletes and celebrity names will be revealed as the tournament approaches, promising a blend of sports and entertainment on a global scale.
Tournament format
The Fanatics Flag Football Classic will feature three teams of eight players competing in a round-robin set-up, with the top two teams advancing to the final.
The games will follow international flag football standards:
- A 50-yard field with 10-yard end zones
- Five players per side on the pitch
- Two halves, each lasting 20 minutes
Coaching duties will be led by some of the NFL’s most respected figures — Pete Carroll, Sean Payton, and Kyle Shanahan — ensuring high-quality strategies and gameplay.
A mix of sport and entertainment
The spectacle will extend beyond the pitch. Kevin Hart, the award-winning actor and comedian, will host the event, adding a layer of entertainment to the competition.
The matches will be broadcast live on FOX Sports and Tubi, offering global reach, while ticketing details for fans eager to attend in Riyadh will be released in due course.
UAE fans are paying attention
With an estimated 20 million players worldwide, flag football is now the fastest-growing form of American football. Its inclusion in the Olympics has boosted interest globally, and for fans in the UAE, Riyadh’s hosting of this tournament brings the sport closer than ever.
The Gulf has become a hub for international sport, hosting Formula 1, boxing championships, UFC cards, and global football events. The Classic is another step in that direction, adding variety to the sporting calendar and giving UAE-based fans the chance to travel just a short flight away to experience live NFL-level action.
The road to 2026
As anticipation builds, the Fanatics Flag Football Classic in Riyadh looks set to deliver one of the most unique sporting spectacles in the region. With Brady back in action, global stars confirmed, and a world-class arena prepared to host, this event will draw global attention while offering fans in the UAE a new sporting experience to look forward to.
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