ThundersFlag is a flag football club based in Istanbul. With our men’s and women’s teams, we want to grow the sport across Türkiye.
Thunders was born in Istanbul in 2026 with the idea of building something bigger than just a team. Our shared goal was to create a strong organization built around competition, discipline, and team culture, where men and women compete under the same emblem. From day one, our focus has gone beyond simply putting a team on the field. We are building a culture of training, discipline, and belonging. Thunders team that improves with every practice, grows stronger together through every challenge, and carries its identity onto the field. 2027 will mark the first major chapter of our story on the field. As our men’s and women’s teams prepare for their first official season, our vision extends beyond today. With flag football entering a new era at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, we want to be part of that growth and contribute to the development of the sport in Türkiye.
Everything at Thunders is built around discipline, development, and team culture. On the field, we believe in more than talent. We value game intelligence, competitiveness, and playing as one. With our men’s and women’s teams united under the same emblem, we are building a strong and sustainable organization. In 2027, we take the field for our first official season. Our goal is not simply to build a team for today, but to create a lasting Thunders legacy. One that grows over the years, develops its own culture, and contributes to the future of flag football in Türkiye.
We are now preparing tryouts for our men’s and women’s teams and will play our first official season in 2027. We want to help the sport grow in Türkiye ahead of its debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
To become a club that helps shape the future of flag football in Türkiye, stands out through competition and discipline on the field, and builds a strong culture beyond it. We are not building a team just for today. We are building the Thunders of tomorrow.
2026
ThundersFlag is founded in Istanbul with its name and crest.
2026
Open tryouts for our men’s and women’s teams start soon.
2027
Take the field with both teams in our first official season.
Never watched a game? You’ll understand the basics in five minutes.
Flag football is the non-contact version of American football. The offense moves the ball toward the opponent’s end zone by passing or running. The defense doesn’t tackle the ball carrier. It stops the play by pulling one of the flags from their belt. The international standard is 5-on-5, and the sport is on the program for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The flag replaces the hit. A defender’s job is to find the right angle and reach the flag, not to take someone down. That lowers the risk of injury, keeps equipment costs down and puts speed, agility and football sense at the center of the game. With no helmets or pads, athletes of every age and build can play.
| Topic | Flag football | Tackle football |
|---|---|---|
| Contact | Non-contact, stopped by pulling a flag | Full contact, stopped by a tackle |
| Players on field | 5 vs 5 | 11 vs 11 |
| Equipment | Flag belt, cleats, mouthguard | Helmet, shoulder pads, full protection |
| Field | About 50 x 25 yards | 100 x 53 yards |
| Blocking | Not allowed | A core part of the game |
| Olympics | On the LA 2028 program | Not an Olympic sport |
No experience needed. If you’re fast, coachable and can train regularly, we’d like to see you at tryouts. Our men’s and women’s teams are open to everyone aged 16 and over.
