With flag football officially joining the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, excitement is mounting among fans and oddsmakers alike. The high-octane, non-contact version of America’s favorite sport will be played on the world’s biggest stage — and sportsbooks are already rolling out a slate of enticing prop bets and futures markets.
Team USA, as expected, is a commanding favorite to take home the gold, given the nation’s unparalleled depth of football talent. But beyond team futures, bettors can also wager on intriguing player-specific markets, including odds on who will start at quarterback for Team USA and whether a current college player will crack the starting lineup.
🥇 2028 Olympic Flag Football gold winner odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Team USA | -300 |
| Rest of World | +200 |
The oddsmakers aren't hedging their bets — Team USA is listed at -300, implying a near 75% chance of winning gold. That should come as no surprise: the United States boasts the largest pool of elite football athletes, and many current and former NFL stars are already rumored to be interested in suiting up.
The “Rest of World” side at +200 presents value only if Team USA chooses not to send top-tier talent. Unless there’s a last-minute change in approach, it would take a perfect storm of factors — injuries, disinterest, or chaos — for the Americans to fall short.
🧠 Who will start at quarterback for Team USA?
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
 Lamar Jackson |
+200 |
 Jayden Daniels |
+300 |
 Josh Allen |
+500 |
 Kyler Murray |
+600 |
 Patrick Mahomes |
+800 |
 Jalen Hurts |
+1000 |
 Joe Burrow |
+1200 |
 C.J. Stroud |
+1200 |
 Bo Nix |
+1200 |
 Justin Herbert |
+1600 |
 Caleb Williams |
+2000 |
Baltimore Ravens star Lamar Jackson tops the odds board at +200, thanks to his dual-threat explosiveness — a perfect fit for the fast-paced flag football format.
Hot on his heels is Jayden Daniels (+300), the former Heisman Trophy winner and one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in football.
Josh Allen and Kyler Murray follow, each offering value with athleticism and improvisational flair. Patrick Mahomes at +800 is a tempting long shot, but his commitment to the NFL grind may keep him out.
Jalen Hurts at +1000 rounds out the list as a dangerous underdog with big-play potential, and ties in with the Olympics as an ambassador.
Joe Burrow has the arm and IQ needed from a QB, but is missing the athleticism and explosiveness. C.J. Stroud and Bo Nix are two exciting and promising young QBs who have the tools, but ultimately won't draw much by way of excitement.
Given his ties to the Los Angeles area, Justin Herbert is worth a look, but ultimately doesn't fit the mold as a prototypical flag football QB. Lastly, Caleb Williams has much to prove before jumping over anyone on this list.
🎓 Will a current college player be starting QB?
| Option | Odds |
|---|---|
| Yes | +250 |
| No | -400 |
This market gives bettors a chance to wager on whether a college star will actually start for Team USA. At +250, it’s a compelling speculative bet, especially if top NFL QBs choose to sit the Olympics out.
The “No” side is a heavy favorite at -400, suggesting sportsbooks believe the final roster will be stacked with seasoned pros. Still, with a few years until kickoff, a current college player ascending to superstardom is not out of the question.
As the 2028 Olympics draw closer, expect these markets to evolve with player announcements, commitment updates, and more buzz around the format. For now, though, Team USA remains the juggernaut — and bettors have a wide open field of fun wagers to explore.
🏈 Olympic flag football rules
Game Format
Team composition
Each team has 10 total players, with five on the field at a time.
Field dimensions
The field measures 70 yards long and 25 yards wide.
Game duration
Games consist of two 20-minute halves (40 minutes total). The clock runs continuously, stopping only at the two-minute warning near the end of each half.
Overtime
If tied at the end of regulation, an overtime period is played. Each team is given equal chances to score.
Gameplay Rules
Downs and advancement
Teams have four downs to reach midfield. After crossing midfield, they get four additional downs to score a touchdown.
Running restrictions
Running plays are not allowed within five yards of the end zone.
Quarterback movement
The quarterback cannot run past the line of scrimmage unless they hand off the ball first and then receive it back via a lateral or as a receiver.
Rushing the quarterback
Defenders must line up at least seven yards from the line of scrimmage to rush the quarterback.
Non-contact play
Flag football at the Olympics is non-contact. No tackling, blocking, diving, or screening is allowed. A play ends when a defender removes a flag from the ball carrier.
🤼 What countries will compete?
This tournament will feature six national teams. Based on recent international performance, the countries that may compete are as follows:
United States - Defending world champions (IFAF). They are the host nation and are about as close to a guarantee that they will participate. 
Austria - The Austrians were runner-up in the 2024 world tournament and, like the United States, are almost a certainty. 
Switzerland — Third place in 2024. Can't have the top two without including the bronze medal winners. 
Mexico — Fourth at the 2024 worlds. 
France — Fifth at the 2024 worlds. 
Italy — Sixth at the 2024 worlds. 
Canada — Seventh at the 2024 worlds.
