Flag Football World Championships Head to Düsseldorf Ahead of 2028 Olympic Debut

The IFAF World Flag Championships will take place from August 13 to 16 in Düsseldorf, Germany, featuring 32 teams in men’s and women’s divisions.

Olympic Integration and the Growth of Flag Football

Flag football’s inclusion in the 2028 Summer Olympics reflects the sport’s increasing popularity. Unlike traditional American football, flag football is a non-contact version where defenders must remove a flag from the opponent’s belt to stop a play, rather than tackling the player to the ground.

Goodell, who has led the NFL since 2006, remains one of the highest-paid league executives.

Event Logistics and Venue Details at Garath

The tournament is hosted at the district sports facility in Garath, located on Koblenzer Straße in southern Düsseldorf. To accommodate the expected crowds, organizers are installing a main grandstand with 3,400 seats, while two additional fields feature standing areas, including 400 seats at Field 2.

Spectators can access the venue via the following transport options:

• S-Bahn: A 15-minute ride from the main station (Hauptbahnhof) to Garath, followed by a 15-minute walk to the facility.
• Parking: Available at the Schützenplätze in Garath and Benrath, as well as at the Castello.
• Shuttles: Shuttle services are provided from designated parking areas to the sports complex.

Ticketing and Admission

Admission for the first three days of the competition is free, though tickets must be reserved in advance. For the first time in the sport’s history, the final day of the tournament will require a paid ticket. “Ground tickets” for the finals are priced at five euros.

Tickets and reservations are managed through the official event portal at worldflag26.com/ticketing. While Saturday is currently sold out, limited tickets remain for Thursday and Friday.

Flag Football vs. Tackle Football

The following table outlines the primary differences between the two formats: