Shanghai Wolves' Ricky Jones Jr leaps to catch the ball during a flag football match in Wuxi on Aug 24. [Photo provided to en.wuxi.gov.cn]
Flag football, set to debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, took the field in Wuxi, East China's Jiangsu province, as the city hosted a tournament from Aug 23 to 24 as part of its Jumping Wuxi fitness campaign.
The event brought together 32 teams from across the country to compete in the men's, women's, and mixed categories. Players ranged from amateur enthusiasts to semi-professional athletes.
"It's my first time in Wuxi, and I love the energy," said Ricky Jones Jr from Florida, the United States, a member of the Shanghai Wolves — three-time champions of the China National Football League from 2022 to 2024. "You've got a lot of people coming out to play flag football, so it's awesome."
A defender reaches for an opponent's flag during a mixed match in Wuxi on Aug 24. [Photo provided to en.wuxi.gov.cn]
Flag football is a fast-paced, non-contact version of American football that still emphasizes speed, precision, and teamwork. Players stop opponents by removing flags from their waists instead of tackling, making the game more accessible and safer for new participants. Matches last 30 minutes and are divided into two halves, with five players per team on the field.
"It's still brand new in China, so it's growing," said Jones. "But I think it has a promising future."
Jones also praised how the tournament was handled despite the summer heat. "Everything seems to be on time. The weather is horrible, but you're still making it work," he said.
The Shanghai Wolves dominated the mixed competition. Local favorites Wuxi Bunnies and the Shanghai-based team Little Red Riding Hood took home the men's and women's titles, respectively.
Players compete during a mixed flag football match in Wuxi on Aug 24. [Photo provided to en.wuxi.gov.cn]
According to Xue Lina, president of the Wuxi Rugby and Football Association, the tournament is part of Wuxi's broader efforts to build awareness and local engagement with the sport ahead of its Olympic debut.
"Flag football has become an official event at the 2028 Olympics," Xue said. "We are promoting this sport that is trending, safe, and low in equipment requirements."
With simple rules and low contact, flag football is quickly catching on among young people in Wuxi. Its combination of athleticism and social interaction has made it a popular weekend activity.
Local events like this are helping Wuxi position itself as a hub for emerging sports in China, supporting national fitness goals while connecting with global trends.
In 2025, Wuxi plans to host 121 sports events at the city level or above, including 19 international competitions and 64 national-level events, the municipal sports bureau announced in February.
