He retired, un-retired, then retired again. Now, Tom Brady is returning to the football field for the first time since 2023 – and he plans to win.
This spring, the legendary quarterback will be among those lining up for the Fanatics Flag Football Classic, a first-of-its-kind round-robin tournament featuring teams of all-star players and world-class athletes.
And yes, Gronk will be there too.
“I couldn’t be more excited to return to the field, get the competitive juices flowing alongside some of the game’s brightest stars and iconic legends, and bring a truly unique global sports event to fans everywhere,” Brady said in a press release announcing the event.
What is the Fanatics Flag Football Classic?
How it works:
The first-ever Fanatics Flag Football Classic will feature three teams of eight players facing off in a round-robin tournament, with the top two teams advancing to a championship.
The games will follow Olympic-style flag football rules, played on a 50-yard field with two 10-yard end zones, a 5-on-5 format and two 20-minute halves.
The three teams will feature a balanced mix of athletes and entertainers, and each team will also be led by an NFL head coach.
Who’s involved:
Aside from the seven-time Super Bowl winner, other confirmed players include some of the biggest names in football such as Saquon Barkley, CeeDee Lamb, Christian McCaffrey, Sauce Gardner, Myles Garrett, Brock Bowers, Maxx Crosby, Tyreek Hill, Odell Beckham Jr., and – of course – Rob Gronkowski.
The teams will be led by three of the best coaches in football today: Pete Carroll, Sean Payton and Kyle Shanahan.
What they’re saying:
“I have always admired the power of flag football and how it connects fans of all ages, and it’s awesome to be able to showcase the sport on such a global stage while joining together so many incredibly skilled athletes,” Brady offered, adding, “and I will be bringing home the trophy.”
Where and when:
The Fanatics Flag Football Classic is scheduled for Saturday, March 21, 2026, at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
How to watch:
The tournament will air live on FOX Sports and Tubi, with actor and comedian Kevin Hart serving as host.
Big picture view:
Flag football is among the fastest-growing sports in the world, with more than 20 million players globally. It’s set to debut at the Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028.
What’s next:
Further details, including additional participants and special programming, will be announced in the coming months.