DAZN scores big with IFAF Flag Football broadcast rights
In an exciting development for sports fans worldwide, DAZN, the leading sports entertainment platform, has secured global broadcast rights to the International Federation of American Football’s (IFAF) flag football competitions. This multi-year agreement marks a significant milestone for both organizations, as it aims to elevate the profile of flag football just in time for its Olympic debut at the LA 2028 Summer Olympics.
A game-changer for Flag Football
This partnership is a game-changer for the IFAF, as it will make a wide selection of flag football events free-to-view for fans in over 200 markets. With flag football rapidly gaining popularity, this agreement is perfectly timed to capitalize on the sport’s growing global interest. Coverage on DAZN will kick off with the IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Düsseldorf, Germany, from August 13-16, 2026. This event is particularly historic, as it will serve as a qualifying tournament for the LA28 Olympics, with two teams from each competition earning a coveted spot.
What’s on the horizon?
In addition to the World Championships, DAZN will broadcast the 2027 IFAF Flag Football Continental Championships and the 2028 Flag Football World Championships. These events represent the pinnacle of flag football competition outside the Olympic Games, showcasing the best talent from around the globe. Fans can also look forward to additional programming, including European tackle football championships, further expanding DAZN’s American football offerings.
With the NFL Game Pass already available on DAZN worldwide (excluding the US and China), this new partnership strengthens DAZN’s position as the ultimate destination for American football outside the United States. It also supports the continued international growth of flag football, which has seen a remarkable 48% increase in national teams entering the IFAF world ranking system over the past three years.
Voices from the top
Shay Segev, DAZN Group CEO, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “DAZN has a proven track record of taking major US sports to fans around the world to accelerate their international growth. By delivering IFAF events free-to-view on DAZN, we can introduce new audiences to an exciting sport at a pivotal moment in its global development.”
Pierre Trochet, IFAF President, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the deal as a landmark moment for the organization. “This unprecedented deal is a landmark for IFAF as we enter a new phase of commercial maturation, harnessing the explosive worldwide interest in flag football ahead of our sport’s Olympic debut.”
The Future of Flag Football
Flag football is one of the fastest-growing team sports globally, with grassroots participation skyrocketing. The sport topped every streaming category during the World Games 2025 in China, delivering 23% of total watch time across the Games. This partnership with DAZN reflects a long-term commitment to expanding access to sport and reinforces the strategy of supporting sports with strong international growth potential.
As the countdown to the Düsseldorf championships begins, fans can expect more details and production plans to be announced soon. With DAZN at the helm, the future of flag football looks brighter than ever!
