CFL to allow its players to participate in flag football at 2028 Summer Games

TORONTO – The CFL is allowing its players to play for their country in flag football at the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.

The league announced Monday its board of governors unanimously approved the players’ participation.

Flag football will make its Olympic debut in Los Angeles.

The approval permits the CFL to begin working with the CFL Players’ Association, the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) and Olympic authorities to implement rules governing the participation of its players.

Canadians and Americans make up the most of CFL rosters, but the league also has 37 global players from 16 countries.

In May, the NFL announced it would allow players on its teams to participate in the L.A. Games.

“Representing your country in best-on-best competition is a tremendous honour,” CFL commissioner Stewart Johnston said in a statement. “Despite the Summer Olympics taking place during our season, the board of governors recognized the wealth of opportunities provided by competing on international sport’s biggest stage.

“Our incredible players will have a chance at a once-in-a-lifetime experience, they can showcase the best of the CFL for all the world to see and they can play a significant part in growing the game across Canada and around the world.”

In September, the Canadian men’s and women’s flag football teams advanced to the 2026 world championships — the latest step in Olympic qualification. That event will be held next year in Germany.

“Competing in the Olympics is a tremendous honour, and we’re excited to see our members have the opportunity to showcase their talents and the spirit of our league internationally,” said Solomon Elimimian, president of the CFL Players’ Association. “For many, flag football is where their football journey began.

“Seeing our members compete on the world stage will not only showcase the tremendous talent within the CFL, but also serve as a source of inspiration for the next generation of players. We will continue to work with the CFL to ensure our players can make the most of this opportunity while keeping their health and safety a priority.”

The Canadian women’s team finished second at the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Continental flag football championship in September in Panama while the men’s squad was third.

The men’s team, coached by former CFL head coach Paul LaPolice, already has Antony Auclair — a former NFL tight end and Super Bowl champion with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — on its roster.

“We’re fortunate in Canada to have strong high-performance pathways that have produced the talented world class roster that we have today,” said Kevin McDonald, Football Canada’s executive director. “We look forward to working with the CFL to establish the guidelines that will allow CFL players to compete for an opportunity to represent Canada in the future.

“This is an exciting time for our sport as we pursue the dream of an Olympic berth.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 10, 2025.