The NFL is accelerating its growth in Spain with the launch of a new social impact program aimed at empowering youth through sport.
Through the NFL Foundation, the league has introduced “Flag for Fun†in Madrid—its first community-based initiative in the country. The program is being delivered in collaboration with Fundación Fútbol Más and Miami Dolphins.
Designed as a 10-month project, Flag for Fun combines flag football training with social and emotional development, promoting values such as teamwork, inclusion, well-being, and a sense of belonging among children and young people from vulnerable communities.
Flag football—a non-contact version of American football—is experiencing rapid global growth and is set to make its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. The NFL has been actively promoting the format internationally, including in Spain since 2024, with programs already introduced in cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Zaragoza.
Globally, NFL Flag programs are now active in 20 international markets, engaging approximately 3.9 million participants outside the United States.
The NFL Foundation focuses on expanding access to sport through partnerships with local organizations, particularly targeting underserved communities with low levels of physical activity. The goal is to use sport as a tool for positive social transformation.
Rafa de los Santos, the NFL’s director in Spain, highlighted the significance of the initiative: “We are proud to support Flag for Fun in Madrid, the first community program in Spain backed by the NFL Foundation. This initiative is designed to create opportunities and drive meaningful impact in underrepresented communities.â€
With partnerships also involving organizations like Beyond Sport, the program reflects the NFL’s broader strategy to grow its international footprint while leveraging sport as a platform for social change.