The Bears’ 2026 flag football tour is bringing clinics to children across Spain, building on the team’s ongoing effort to grow the sport ahead of its 2028 Olympic debut. In Bilbao, Barcelona and Badalona, the program has paired hands-on coaching with local sports partnerships and appearances by members of Spain’s women’s flag football national team. Former Bears lineman Roberto Garza says returning to Spain has made the impact clear: young players are gaining confidence, finding role models and beginning to imagine new opportunities through football.

By the Numbers
  • 2026: The year of the Bears’ Spain flag football tour.
  • 2028: Flag football’s scheduled Olympic debut in Los Angeles.
  • About 4 times: The reported growth of Spain’s flag football league since it launched.
  • 3 cities: Bilbao, Barcelona and Badalona, where the tour held clinics during its first week.
Yes, But

Growing interest is opening doors, including for some young players who hope to play college football in the United States. But the long-term impact will depend on continued opportunities for kids to play and develop locally.

State of Play
  • The Bears say this is their fourth consecutive year running flag football clinics in Spain.
  • Local partnerships—including work with Athletic Club in Bilbao—give participants access to professional sports facilities.
  • Women’s national team members coached at the clinics, connecting young players with local role models.
Bottom Line

The tour is about more than introducing children to football: it’s building a path from first-time play to lasting participation, with the Olympic spotlight potentially accelerating that growth.