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Report: Flag football event featuring Saquon Barkley likely moving from Saudi Arabia to U.S. amid Middle East war

The Fanatics Flag Football Classic, planned by Tom Brady and Fanatics, will likely move to the United States on March 21

Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (right) took part in the flag football event at the 2023 Pro Bowl Games as a member of the Giants. He's scheduled to also take part in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic later this month.
Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (right) took part in the flag football event at the 2023 Pro Bowl Games as a member of the Giants. He's scheduled to also take part in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic later this month.Read moreDoug Benc / AP

The Fanatics Flag Football Classic, an event planned by Tom Brady and Fanatics, was originally planned to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on March 21. Amid the widening war in the Middle East, the games will likely move to the United States due to recent airstrikes and regional travel restrictions, according to Front Office Sports.

The event, which will be hosted by Philadelphia native Kevin Hart, is expected to feature a lineup of NFL stars, including Eagles running back Saquon Barkley. Other players scheduled to compete include Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner, Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, Raiders tight end Brock Bowers, free agent wide receiver Tyreek Hill, Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby, former Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, and former Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.

» READ MORE: Fanatics Games are returning this year — and so is the 40-year-old Philly sports fan who almost beat Tom Brady

Ahead of the game’s Olympic debut in Los Angeles in 2028, the Fanatics Flag Football Classic will follow Olympic style rules, with players competing in five-on-five on a 50-yard field (plus two 10-yard end zones) for two 20-minute halves. Players will be divided into three teams that will play in a round-robin tournament with Pete Carroll, Sean Payton, and Kyle Shanahan slated to be the coaches.

Although a new location has yet to be announced, the event is still expected to be broadcast on Fox Sports and Tubi, with a much more friendly air time for the American audience, as FOS points out.