DAZN's Flag Football Deal Signals a New Chapter
DAZN has just locked in a multi‑year agreement that grants it global broadcast rights to the International Federation of American Football’s flag football competitions. The arrangement is notable not only for its reach — covering more than 200 markets — but also for the decision to make every event free to view, removing paywalls and inviting anyone with an internet connection to tune in.
The centerpiece of the deal is the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Düsseldorf, Germany, where the men’s and women’s tournaments will be streamed live. Those championships will serve as the primary qualification pathway for the sport’s historic Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Games, with two teams from each gender earning a spot on the Games roster.
Beyond the world championships, DAZN will also carry the 2027 IFAF Flag Football Continental Championships and the 2028 Flag Football World Championships, while simultaneously expanding its American football slate to include European tackle football competitions. This broader portfolio reflects the platform’s ambition to become the go‑to destination for the sport outside the United States.
Pierre Trochet, President of IFAF, described the partnership as a watershed moment for the federation’s commercial development, noting that the exposure will accelerate flag football’s global footprint. Shay Segev, CEO of DAZN Group, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the company’s role in championing a sport that is “one of the fastest‑growing team sports worldwide.”
The impact is already evident. Flag football topped every streaming category at The World Games 2025 in China, accounting for 23 % of total watch time, and the sport has seen a 48 % surge in national teams joining the IFAF world‑ranking system over the past three years. Such metrics underscore the appetite for a format that blends accessibility with high‑octane play.
For DAZN, the deal is more than a content acquisition; it is a strategic alignment with a sport poised to capture new audiences and sponsor interest. By offering free‑to‑view coverage, the company hopes to convert casual viewers into loyal fans, thereby strengthening its position as the leading international hub for American football.
As the sport edges closer to Olympic recognition, the partnership illustrates how media platforms can act as catalysts for emerging sports, turning grassroots enthusiasm into a globally televised spectacle. The next few years will test whether this model can sustain momentum and translate viewership spikes into long‑term growth for both the federation and its broadcast partners.