Flag Football’s Global Surge
The streaming giant DAZN announced that it has clinched global broadcast rights to the International Federation of American Football’s flag‑football competitions, a move that will make every match free to watch in more than 200 territories.
A New Era for Flag Football
The deal unlocks coverage of the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Düsseldorf, Germany, and guarantees live transmission of the 2027 Continental Championships and the 2028 World Championships. It also secures a spot for the sport at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, where two teams from each competition will qualify for Olympic competition.
In addition to the flagship events, DAZN will broadcast the European tackle‑football circuit, expanding the portfolio of American‑style gridiron content available to a global audience.
Voices from the Top
"Our history of bringing U.S. sports to a worldwide audience is well known," said Shay Segev, Group CEO of DAZN, highlighting the company’s track record in promoting American sports internationally.
Pierre Trochet, President of IFAF, called the agreement "a landmark for the federation," emphasizing its potential to raise the sport’s profile and attract new fans.
Growth and Audience Engagement
Flag football’s rise is quantifiable: IFAF reports a 48 percent increase in national teams entering its world‑ranking system over the past three years, and the sport delivered 23 percent of total watch time at the 2025 World Games in China, out of 60 sports featured.
With free‑to‑view access in over 200 markets, DAZN aims to turn casual viewers into dedicated fans and to cement flag football’s place on the global sporting map.