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. The decision was announced by the league on Monday after unanimous approval from its board of governors. This marks the debut of flag football as an Olympic sport in Los Angeles.
With a majority of CFL rosters comprising Canadians and Americans, the league also boasts 37 global players from 16 different countries. The approval now paves the way for the CFL to collaborate with the CFL Players’ Association, the International Federation of American Football (IFAF), and Olympic authorities to establish regulations for the involvement of its players.
In a statement, CFL commissioner Stewart Johnston expressed the honor of representing one’s country in elite competition and acknowledged the opportunities presented by competing on the international stage despite the Olympics overlapping with the CFL season. He emphasized the chance for CFL players to showcase the league’s talent globally and contribute to the growth of the sport in Canada and beyond.
The NFL had previously announced its decision to allow players from its teams to participate in the 2028 Olympics. Both the Canadian men’s and women’s flag football teams have advanced to the 2026 world championships as part of the Olympic qualification process, with the event scheduled to take place in Germany next year.
Solomon Elimimian, president of the CFL Players’ Association, highlighted the significance of members having the chance to exhibit their skills internationally and inspire future players, recognizing that flag football often marks the beginning of many players’ football journeys.
The Canadian women’s team secured a second-place finish at the IFAF Continental flag football championship in Panama, while the men’s team, led by former CFL head coach Paul LaPolice, claimed third place. Notably, the men’s team features Antony Auclair, a former NFL tight end and Super Bowl champion with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Kevin McDonald, the executive director of Football Canada, praised the strong high-performance pathways in Canada that have led to a talented roster. He expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with the CFL to establish guidelines enabling CFL players to compete for the opportunity to represent Canada and strive for an Olympic berth in the future.