Nex, the company behind Nex Playground, today announced a partnership with the National Football League to bring NFL FLAG to the viral-hit active play system that gets families moving together, introducing one of the country’s most popular sports into the living room in a new way for kids and families. The collaboration kicks off today with the launch of NFL FLAG Heroes, a new motion-powered flag football game available exclusively on Nex Playground and featuring all 32 NFL clubs.
Launching just ahead of the start of the NFL regular season, NFL FLAG Heroes expands Nex Playground’s growing collection of active sports experiences and marks Nex’s third officially-licensed sports title. By pairing recognizable sports and entertainment properties with natural body motion, Nex is creating experiences that give kids and families new ways to engage with the games, characters and teams they already know and love, together in the living room.
Players take the field as both quarterback and team captain in fast, offense-first five-on-five flag football, with each match featuring a pair of two-minute halves built around quick drives, big plays and opportunities to become the “Hero of the Drive.” Using Nex Playground’s motion technology, players use their bodies to choose a play, line up behind the center, snap the ball and physically control the action.
NFL FLAG Heroes features include:
- All 32 NFL clubs: Players can create their own team and choose from official NFL club logos and jerseys.
- Motion-powered flag football: Players’ bodies become the controller as they throw, run, sprint, steer and evade defenders using natural movement.
- Become the QB and team captain: Players create and develop their own quarterback, build a roster of teammates and lead their team as they advance.
- Fast, family-friendly matches: A pair of two-minute halves make it easy to jump into quick four-to-five-minute sessions built around high-energy offensive drives.
- Progress from the schoolyard to NFL FLAG competition: Players climb through three stages -- School Field, NFL FLAG Regionals and NFL FLAG Champs -- with new challenges, expanded playbooks, and gameplay concepts introduced along the way.
- An approachable introduction to football: A coach-led tutorial introduces new players to the fundamentals before their first match, while optional Training Days teach deeper concepts including reading defenses, operating in space, selecting plays and running the ball.
- Rewards and character progression: Completing matches and objectives earns progress toward cosmetics, QB upgrade cards, collectible teammates and other rewards.
“NFL FLAG Heroes enhances discovery and engagement with younger fans by immersing them in the sport through motion-powered gameplay with their favorite NFL clubs,” said Ed Kiang, vice president of interactive and experiential licensing at the NFL. “We’re thrilled to bring the energy and excitement of NFL FLAG to the Nex Playground.”
“Sports have an incredible ability to bring families together, whether you’re watching a game, playing in the backyard, or cheering for your favorite team,” said David Lee, CEO and co-founder of Nex. “Working with the NFL gives us an opportunity to bring that same connection to Nex Playground and lets kids experience football in a way where they’re actually part of the action. NFL FLAG Heroes is designed to make it easy for kids to step in, learn the game, represent the NFL team they love, and create those big football moments together with their families.”
Flag football has experienced extraordinary global momentum, with opportunities emerging for athletes at every level of the sport. In the U.S. alone, there are now 4.1 million youth flag football athletes—a more than 50% increase since 2020. Flag football is offered at a high school level in 40 states and jurisdictions. More than 250 colleges and universities across the country have women's flag football programming, and the NCAA has recently taken important steps toward establishing flag football as a national championship sport. Globally, the sport is played by more than 20 million people across 100 countries and is set to make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.
NFL FLAG Heroes is available beginning today exclusively on Nex Playground through Play Pass, Nex Playground’s content subscription service. Play Pass is sold separately and unlocks the full catalog of games and experiences on Nex Playground. To learn more, visit nexplayground.com.