The CFL has given the green light for its players to take part in flag football at the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles. This decision, announced on Monday, received unanimous approval from the league’s board of governors.
Flag football is set to make its debut at the upcoming Olympics in Los Angeles. The CFL’s approval allows for collaboration with the CFL Players’ Association, the International Federation of American Football (IFAF), and Olympic authorities to establish regulations governing player participation.
While the majority of CFL rosters consist of Canadians and Americans, the league also includes 37 global players from 16 different countries. In a similar move earlier in May, the NFL announced its intention to allow players from its teams to compete in the L.A. Games.
CFL commissioner Stewart Johnston expressed pride in the opportunity for players to represent their countries in top-tier competition. Despite the Summer Olympics overlapping with the CFL season, the board of governors acknowledged the significant benefits of competing on the global sports stage.
Johnston stated, “Our exceptional players will have a unique chance to showcase the best of the CFL on an international platform, contributing to the growth of the sport in Canada and worldwide.”
In a related development, both the Canadian men’s and women’s flag football teams progressed to the 2026 world championships in the latest phase of Olympic qualification. The upcoming event is scheduled to take place in Germany next year.
Solomon Elimimian, president of the CFL Players’ Association, expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity for members to exhibit their skills on an international level. He emphasized the inspirational aspect for the next generation of players and committed to prioritizing player health and safety throughout the process.
The Canadian women’s team secured second place at the IFAF Continental flag football championship in Panama in September, while the men’s team claimed the third spot. The men’s team, under the guidance of former CFL head coach Paul LaPolice, boasts 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, highlighted the strong high-performance pathways in Canada that have led to the current world-class roster. He expressed anticipation for collaborating with the CFL to establish guidelines enabling CFL players to compete for the chance to represent Canada in future competitions.
McDonald added, “This marks an exciting period for our sport as we pursue the ambition of securing an Olympic berth.”