Tom Brady coming out of retirement for a third time to play in Saudi Arabia

Toby Coxon

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Tom Brady coming out of retirement for a third time to play in Saudi Arabia image

Tom Brady, the seven-time Super Bowl winner, has announced he is coming out of retirement to play in a competitive flag football tournament in Saudi Arabia.

The news, which has shocked the NFL world, will see Brady return to the field for the first time since his retirement in 2023.

The 48-year-old quarterback will join a star-studded list of current and former NFL stars for the "Fanatics Flag Football Classic" in Riyadh.

Brady's return is a major coup for the tournament, which is being held as part of Saudi Arabia's "Riyadh Season" and is meant to promote the growth of flag football.

The competition, which will be held in March 2026, will feature three teams of eight players, including Brady's former teammate Rob Gronkowski.

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The former NFL legend will play alongside stars including Saquon Barkley, Christian McCaffrey, CeeDee Lamb, and Myles Garrett.

The three teams will be coached by Pete Carroll, Sean Payton, and Kyle Shanahan, all current NFL head coaches.

Brady announced the news in a press conference in Las Vegas, where he stated, "This is the first time I'll be back playing since 2023, and I can't wait to get the competitive juices flowing.”

The former quarterback, who is also a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, is partnering with Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority, to promote the event.

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© Paul Rutherford

The rise of flag football and Saudi Arabia’s role

The "Fanatics Flag Football Classic" is part of a broader trend of flag football's rising global popularity.

The sport, which is set to debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, has become a focus for the NFL as it seeks to expand its global footprint.

Brady himself has spoken about his passion for the sport and how it connects fans of all ages.

The tournament is also another example of Saudi Arabia's immense investment in global sports.

The kingdom has invested in a number of sports, including golf, boxing, and football.

The tournament will be a major showcase for the sport and will be a major factor in the NFL's bid to become a global sport.

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Toby Coxon

Toby joined The Sporting News in 2025 after completing a degree in Multimedia Sports Journalism. He has previous experience writing for online and print publications including VAVEL, Breaking Media and The Non-League Paper. He also has experience working within football clubs in previous roles at Curzon Ashton FC and Bradford City AFC.