Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 is set to include flag football

The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics intends to include flag football, lacrosse, squash, cricket and more on the schedule for when the games return to US for the first time in 32 years.

The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics' proposal to include flag football on the schedule when the Summer Games return to the United States of America for the first time in 32 years gave the NFL's continuous campaign for global visibility a boost on Monday.

The proposal will be put to a vote by the International Olympic Committee during meetings beginning later this week in Mumbai, India. Lacrosse, squash, cricket, baseball, and softball were also included in the L.A. proposal. These sports contrast sharply with flag football in that they are essentially unknown in the United States but wildly popular around the world. Baseball and softball have been on and off the list for years.

Breakdancing, which will be considered a one-and-done after its initial appearance in Paris next year, is not a part of the L.A. schedule. Karate, kickboxing, and motorsports were among the disciplines that were left out.

It is unclear if other sports will have to reduce the number of disciplines to help the IOC stay under the 10,500-athlete cap it set for the Summer Olympics. The number of participants will increase with the addition of five team sports.

The Olympics and the NFL have both made an effort to draw in younger viewers. The IOC has recently expanded its program to include 3-on-3 basketball, climbing, and skateboarding. According to Bettina Cornwell, a sports business expert at the University of Oregon, flag football fits within that category.