Seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady is set to make a surprising return to the field, this time in a flag football competition. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Brady will participate in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic on March 21, 2026, marking his first competitive appearance since retiring from the NFL in 2023. His last professional game was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 2022 NFC Wild Card loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
The event, held as part of Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Season, will feature a mix of active and retired NFL players. Notable names confirmed include Saquon Barkley, Christian McCaffrey, CeeDee Lamb, Maxx Crosby, Sauce Gardner, Myles Garrett, and Brady’s longtime teammate Rob Gronkowski. The pair famously played together in New England and Tampa Bay, winning Super Bowl LV in 2021.
Three all-star squads will be coached by Pete Carroll, Sean Payton, and Kyle Shanahan. Games will be played under Olympic-style rules, with five-on-five action on a 50-yard field, two 20-minute halves, and a championship matchup following a round-robin stage.
Brady has stated he is approaching the tournament with the same competitive spirit he carried throughout his NFL career. “I will be bringing home the trophy,” Brady said, emphasizing both his motivation and the fast-paced appeal of the flag football format. He also noted that the event provides an opportunity to unite fans of all ages and highlight the sport on a global stage.
Organizers expect Brady’s participation to boost international interest in flag football while drawing attention to Riyadh Season as a hub for major sporting events. His involvement further underscores his lasting influence on football, even beyond the NFL.
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