DAZN has acquired global broadcast rights to the International Federation of American Football’s flag football competitions under a new multi-year agreement, significantly expanding worldwide access to the rapidly growing sport ahead of its Olympic debut at the 2028 Summer Olympics.
Under the agreement, DAZN will make a wide range of IFAF competitions available free-to-view in more than 200 markets globally. Coverage begins with the men’s and women’s IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Düsseldorf on August 13-16, 2026. The event will serve as one of the first direct qualification opportunities for LA28, with two teams from each tournament securing Olympic qualification spots.
The partnership also includes broadcast rights for the 2027 IFAF Flag Football Continental Championships and the 2028 Flag Football World Championships, both of which are key events in the international flag football calendar outside of the Olympic Games. DAZN will additionally air select European tackle football championships as part of the broader collaboration.
The agreement strengthens DAZN’s position in international American football coverage, complementing its existing NFL Game Pass offering outside the United States and China. The company said the partnership aligns with its strategy of supporting globally expanding sports through broad digital distribution and free access to premium competitions.
According to IFAF, flag football participation and global interest have accelerated significantly in recent years. The federation said national teams participating in the IFAF world ranking system have increased by 48% over the past three years. The sport also generated strong digital engagement during The World Games 2025, accounting for 23% of total watch time across all competitions featured during the event.
Further programming and production details for the Düsseldorf championships are expected to be announced later this summer.
KEY QUOTES:
“DAZN has a proven track record of taking major US sports to fans around the world to accelerate their international growth. Our technology, multi-platform distribution, and ability to cross-promote with our extensive premium sports portfolio will accelerate flag football’s global reach and visibility. 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.”
Shay Segev, Group CEO, DAZN
“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. DAZN is a partner who can help us attract and engage new fans around our events by making them available – free of charge – to millions around the world. This is also great news for existing fans of IFAF competitions, who can now watch on a platform that most of them already know and love as the home of American football outside the US.”
Pierre Trochet, President, International Federation of American Football
