Pro Flag Football League Named Premier Flag, Launching in 2027
The NFL and TMRW Sports have announced the name of the men's and women's professional flag football league: Premier Flag. The announcement also included the league logo and additional details about its launch. The Premier Flag league will launch in summer 2027, matching previously reported timelines of a "late spring-summer 2027" start. TMRW will announce the host city in the coming weeks. Brendan Donohue, President of Flag Football at TMRW Sports, stated this:
“Flag football is exploding in popularity, and Premier Flag is establishing itself as the destination for the world’s top women and men competing at the highest level of the sport. The Premier Flag brand represents where flag football is headed – elite, global and accessible – while setting a professional standard for the sport’s growing ecosystem. When we launch next summer, fans will have the opportunity to see these amazing athletes perform at their best, supported by Premier Flag’s world-class training, strength and conditioning, nutrition and coaching programs.”
Details about the pro flag league have been consistently announced or revealed since late 2025. The NFL started with the initial investment in December 2025 when NFL owners approved an investment of up to $32 million. The investment came from 32 Equity, the league's collective investment vehicle. In February, it was reported that TMRW Sports would operate the pro league, and the NFL officially announced it in March.
TMRW has also been putting the leadership pieces in place for the inaugural pro flag football season. Brendan Donohue will serve as the first President of the league, while Champ Kelly will serve as Senior Vice President. In October, TMRW also announced Alyssa Marks (VP of Partnerships), Laura Andriani (SVP of Marketing), Steve Worling (VP of Technology), and Thomas McHardy (VP of Strategy and Development) as executives for the new league.
In June, TMRW and the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) announced a strategic partnership designed to coordinate standards and calendars. In July, it was revealed that the first season will take place in a single location, with a temporary structure hosting all the games. Populous will design the venue, and Transwestern will oversee the host city selection process. Future seasons are expected to expand to additional locations. SBJ also reported that $160 million is being invested in the professional flag football league.
So far, four flag football ambassadors have been announced since the beginning of the summer. Current US Women's National Flag Football team members Ashlea Klam and Izzy Geraci will serve as ambassadors. Former national team player Vanita Krouch will serve as an ambassador and player liaison when the league launches. Current US Men's National Flag Football team member Darrell "Housh" Doucette III was named an ambassador at the end of October.
6 men's and 6 women's teams are expected to compete during the first season of Premier Flag. That tidbit was shared by Greg Beadles, President and CEO of the Atlanta Falcons, in an interview with Sports Business Journal in September. TMRW hasn't confirmed how many teams will compete in the first season.
Premier Flag hosted a professional flag football talent qualifier at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in October, with 57 athletes from Australia, Austria, England, France, Germany, Italy, Slovenia, Spain, and Switzerland participating. Additional qualifiers will be held around the world throughout 2026 and 2027. Premier Flag will also hold a Pro Flag Football Showcase the week of Super Bowl LXI in Los Angeles.
Additional details about the new league are expected in the coming weeks and months, including confirmation of the format (5-on-5, 7-on-7, etc.), location of the inaugural season, length and structure of the season, team names, logos, and identities, roster limits, coaching announcements, participating athletes, and broadcast partners.