                                                              WOMEN COLLEGIATE FLAG FOOTBALL IS BOOMING!

The future of flag football is taking shape on college campuses across the country. Thanks to growing momentum at the youth and high school levels, more girls than ever are taking their love of flag football to the next level in college. With trailblazing programs across the NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA, scholarship opportunities and national competitions are opening doors like never before—for competition, community, and lifelong impact. 

The NCAA Division III American Southwest Conference will sponsor flag football beginning with the 2026-27 academic year. The six ASC members will add flag football and begin conference play as soon as permitted by the NCAA. The six schools are: East Texas Baptist University, Hardin-Simmons University, Howard Payne University, McMurry University, Schreiner University, and the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. All six schools are located in Texas.

Also, Wiley University (Marshall, TX) will add a varsity women's flag football program beginning with the 2026-27 academic year.  Wiley is the fourth member of the NAIA's HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCU) to add a program. Southern University at New Orleans (LA) has a club team, while Stillman College (AL) and Wilberforce University (OH) both have incoming varsity teams. 

TEXAS COLLEGES with Flag Football Programs: 
NCAA Division III: (ASC)These schools are launching varsity competition for the 2026–2027 academic year: 
East Texas Baptist University (Marshall, TX)
Hardin-Simmons University (Abilene, TX)
Howard Payne University (Brownwood, TX)
McMurry University (Abilene, TX)
Schreiner University (Kerrville, TX)
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (Belton, TX)
NAIA: 
Texas Wesleyan University (Fort Worth, TX) – 
Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) (San Antonio, TX) 
Wiley University (Marshall, TX) 
NCAA: 
University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) (Arlington, TX) 
Texas Southern University (Houston, TX)  
Prairie View A&M University (Prairie View, TX) 
Dallas College - Richland Campus (Dallas, TX) 

Kilgore College AD on leading women’s flag football to championship status. Dr. Courtney Pruitt, a graduate of Longview High School and athletic director at Kilgore College, spearheaded the charge to make women’s flag football a National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) championship sport beginning in 2027.

Dr. Pruitt joined East Texas Now on Thursday to talk about the process of getting women’s flag football to a championship level, the growth of the sport and being a role model for young women. Dr. Pruitt said women’s flag football is rapidly growing and this now offers female student-athletes another opportunity to play sports in college.

“So something that we talked about in our committee meetings was that we wanted to elevate this sport. Number one, because it had become one of the fastest-growing sports, and we wanted something to offer more female student-athletes. And this gave an opportunity to those that may not have been considering playing a sport in college, but they would now have an opportunity with flag football,” Dr. Pruitt said. “A lot of schools have also adopted flag football in the high school levels. And so we wanted to have an opportunity for them to play at the next level. So, you know, the committee members are scattered around different states. And so we just work, you know, day and night to just make sure that this was something that we could transition with a number of teams that wanted to join with the NJCAA, in order to make it a championship sport.”

Why are more girls pursuing college flag football scholarship
The rise in girls pursuing college flag football scholarships is driven by rapidly expanding opportunities at the collegiate and high school levels. The NCAA has recommended the addition of a national flag football championship for all three divisions starting as early as the spring of 2028, and the University of Nebraska has already announced the first Power 4 flag football program.usatodaydemo3 Articles

This growth is supported by increased sanctioning of the sport, which is now an officially recognized high school sport in 23 states. As more programs become available, younger athletes are increasingly viewing college play and athletic scholarships as a standard expectation for their future. The sport's momentum is further bolstered by its upcoming Olympic debut in Los Angeles at the 2028 games.3 Articles

What are the upcoming changes for collegiate flag football in 2028?
Women's collegiate flag football is expected to achieve championship status as early as the spring of 2028. This milestone follows a formal recommendation from the NCAA Committee on Access, Opportunity and Impact to allow Divisions I, II, and III to sponsor a National Collegiate Flag Football Championship.usatodaydemo3 Articles

The transition to championship status is supported by significant growth, with more than 60 schools across all three divisions sponsoring the sport at the varsity level this past spring. While the sport is currently part of the NCAA Emerging Sports for Women program, it is rapidly expanding toward the 2028 Olympics, which will feature flag football in Los Angeles. Currently, nearly 20 Division I programs, including Nebraska, have already announced intentions to launch varsity teams by 2028.
The NCAA has formally recommended that flag football become a championship sport. The recommendation is the first step in a multi-step process, but it is likely that the first NCAA flag football championship will occur in 2028.

The National Administrative Council (NAC) of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has approved women's flag football as the NAIA's 30th championship sport, elevating the sport from invitational to championship status beginning with the 2026-27 academic year and culminating in the inaugural NAIA Women's Flag Football National Championship in spring 2027.

The move marks a significant milestone in the continued growth of one of the fastest-expanding sports in the country. In partnership with the NFL, the NAIA became the first collegiate athletics association to recognize women's flag football on a national level. What began as an emerging sport in 2021 grew to invitational status in 2026 and now championship status in 2027.

The NAC's approval on Wednesday, (June 17), officially establishes women's flag football as the association's newest championship sport and further reinforces the NAIA's longstanding commitment to expanding opportunities for student-athletes.

"Making women's flag football an NAIA championship sport is a major milestone," said NAIA President & CEO Jim Carr. "It expands opportunity, elevates the game, and reflects the momentum behind one of the fastest-growing women's sports in the country."

The association has worked alongside member institutions, conferences, and national partners to establish the infrastructure necessary for long-term success and sustainability. A total of 60 NAIA institutions are expected to sponsor women's flag football during the 2026-27 academic year, demonstrating the sport's continued growth and broad-based support across the association.

"The growth of women's flag football over the last five years has been remarkable," said Austin Bennett, NAIA Vice President for Championships. "The NAIA has been proud to serve as a pioneer in the sport's collegiate development since launching it in 2021. What began as an opportunity to create new pathways for student-athletes has quickly evolved into a thriving national sport with strong institutional support, growing competitive depth, and tremendous momentum."

The inaugural NAIA Women's Flag Football National Championship is scheduled to be contested during the spring of 2027. Additional details regarding championship qualification, format, and site information will be announced at a later date.

Also, the NCAA Committee on Access, Opportunity and Impact voted at its 2026 spring meeting to recommend that Division I, II, and III sponsor legislation that would see the addition of a National Collegiate Flag Football Championship. Each division will review the recommendation and can sponsor a proposal by July 1, 2026.

All three divisions will vote on the proposals at the NCAA's next convention in January 2027. All three must approve the legislation establishing a championship, which includes the formation of an NCAA Women's Flag Football Committee. If approved in January 2027, the NCAA projects the first flag football championship would occur in spring 2028.

Jacqie McWilliams Parker, chair of the Committee on Access, Opportunity and Impact and Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) commissioner, stated: "Girls want to play. Whenever you give access and opportunity to an easier way to play, the better the success and numbers in participation you see. The young women who are currently playing at our institutions, some never even thought about being able to play in college. Now they have their opportunity. As we hit the next steps to becoming an NCAA championship, I'm excited we're providing access and opportunity."

All three NCAA Divisions voted to add flag football to the Emerging Sports for Women program in January. The Committee requires that at least 40 schools must sponsor a varsity team for any emerging sport to receive a recommendation to become a championship sport. The NCAA also noted that the funding must be approved before a National Collegiate Championship is established. Approximately 80 NCAA schools sponsored a varsity flag football program for the 2026 season. At least 50 more NCAA schools are expected to launch varsity flag football teams in the 2026-27 academic year.

10 NCAA conferences will sponsor women's flag football during the 2026-27 academic year, with that set to increase beyond the 2027 spring season. The conferences that sponsored flag football this past season included the Division III Atlantic East Conference, D-II Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), D-II Conference Carolinas, multi-divisional Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC), D-III Empire 8, and D-III United East Conference.

For 2026-27, those six will be joined by the D-III American Southwest Conference, D-II Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC), D-III Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC), and D-II Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC). In addition, the D-II CIAA will elevate its sponsorship from club to varsity status.

In the 2027-28 academic year, the D-I Big South Conference will sponsor its first championship. The Big 12 Conference is also looking to sponsor flag football as soon as 2028. Another trio of Division III conferences has also been in the process of sponsoring flag football in the coming years: the Middle Atlantic Conference, the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC), and the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC).

The Big 12 Conference and the NFL are exploring the possibility of the conference adding flag football as a sponsored sport beginning in 2028, according to Sports Business Journal. The Big 12 would become the second NCAA Division I conference to sponsor the sport, after the Big South Conference announced the addition earlier in the day. The Big 12 would become the first Power 4 conference to sponsor the sport.

In December, the Big 12 announced a strategic partnership with the NFL, which included growing flag football across the conference. No additional details were provided at the time. The Big 12 currently has four schools with student-run club teams: Arizona State University, the University of Arizona, the University of Central Florida, and the University of Colorado. The first season would see at least 6 teams compete, which could include some or all of the current club teams, as well as at least two new programs.

The NCAA added flag football to its Emerging Sports for Women program in January 2026. Nebraska became the first school from a Power 4 conference to add a varsity flag football team just hours after the sport was added to the NCAA's program. The Power 4 conferences consist of the Atlantic Coast Conference, Big 12 Conference, Big Ten Conference, and Southeastern Conference.

While the Big 12 could be the second NCAA D-I conference to add flag football, it would join nearly a dozen other NCAA conferences in growing the sport. The NCAA Division III Atlantic East Conference, D-II Conference Carolinas, D-III Empire 8, and D-III United East Conference sponsor varsity flag football. The D-II Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) sponsors a club league, but will elevate the sport to varsity status beginning with the 2026-27 academic year. The multi-divisional Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) also sponsors flag football for the current 2026 spring season.

Joining the CIAA in 2026-27 will be the D-III American Southwest Conference, D-II Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC), and D-III Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC). The D-I Big South and D-III Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) will join the list for 2027-28, while the D-III Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) and Middle Atlantic Conference are planning to offer varsity flag football in the future.

Student-run club teams are most prevalent within NCAA Division I, with more than 70 expected to compete in the 2026-27 academic year. Since being added as an emerging sport, NCAA D-I schools have been adding varsity programs more frequently. Just four are varsity programs for the spring 2026 season: Alabama State University, Long Island University (NY), Mercyhurst University (PA), and Mount St. Mary's University (MD).

The future keeps getting brighter. Flag football will be part of the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, and women’s flag football continues opening doors at the college level too. That means girls in Texas are not just joining a growing sport. They are stepping into a future with bigger opportunities than ever before.

Girls flag football in Texas is not a novelty. It is not a gimmick. It is football, and the girls playing it deserve the same respect, coverage, and excitement that Texas gives every version of the game it loves. They are not borrowing the spotlight. They are earning it.

The remainder of the new programs are NCAA club teams. NCAA Division I Boise State University (ID), Harvard University (MA), High Point University (NC), Montana State University, North Carolina A&T University, Northern Arizona University, Syracuse University (NY), the University of California at Davis, the University of Indiana, the University of Oklahoma, and the University of Pennsylvania have or are in the process of launching student-run club teams. Two NCAA Division II club teams are in the works as well: Adelphi University (NY) and Minnesota State University.

NCAA Division I flag football is starting to grow at the varsity level compared to other divisions and affiliations, with five varsity programs expected to compete during the 2026 spring season. Over 35 club teams are competing in flag football at Division I universities.
On the college side, the landscape is expanding fast. Over 200 college programs are now competing across NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA institutions. The NAIA — which pioneered college flag football in 2021 with just 15 schools — now has 35 programs. And when the NCAA officially added flag football to its Emerging Sports for Women program in January 2026, it put the sport on a clear path toward full championship status as early as 2028-29.
NCAA Division I women's flag football exists and is rapidly growing, with varsity programs launching and over 35 club teams operating at D1 universities. As of January 2026, the NCAA officially added women’s flag football to its Emerging Sports for Women program, paving the way for more varsity scholarships and teams, with over 60 total programs expected by spring 2026. 

The rapid expansion of women's flag football at the NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA levels highlights the growing demand and institutional support for the sport. With new teams launching, conferences embracing the game, and partnerships forming with major organizations like the Minnesota Vikings, the landscape of women's collegiate athletics is evolving.

One of the fastest-growing sports in the nation, women's flag football was added to the NCAA Emerging Sports for Women program in January 2026 and is now eligible to pursue NCAA championship status. The sport will make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles. 

The 2026 NAIA flag football Invitational and the Women's College Football Finals are set for a new location in 2026. IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, will host two separate tournaments from Wednesday, May 6, through Saturday, May 9. According to a copy of the format obtained by Collegiate Flag Football, one tournament will be the NAIA Invitational and the second will be a separate 20-team tournament for NAIA, NCAA, and NJCAA schools.

The NAIA Invitational will be the first event since the governing body elevated flag football to invitational status. The 2026 tournament will feature 8 teams competing in a double-elimination format. Four of the 8 teams will be automatic qualifiers, while the remaining four spots will be given to at-large selections determined by the NAIA Women's Flag Football National Selection Committee. 

The 8-team selection breakdown is as follows:
One (1) team from the Great Southwest Athletic Conference
One (1) team from the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference
One (1) team from the Sun Conference
One (1) team from the group of the Appalachian Athletic Conference, Crossroads League, Mid-South Conference, and Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference
Four (4) at-large selections determined by the NAIA's Selection Committee

The addition of flag football to the Emerging Sports for Women program underscores our commitment to expanding athletic opportunities that resonate with today's student-athletes," added Juan Hernandez, vice president of the NCAA Committee on Access, Opportunity and Impact. "The sport's rapid growth across campuses and communities shows the demand for inclusive, competitive environments for women. The Emerging Sports for Women program is intended to help schools provide more athletics opportunities for women and more sport-sponsorship options for schools, while helping that sport achieve NCAA championship status. 

The NCAA has grown to 60 varsity programs for the 2026 spring season, with another 55 announcing future programs. More than 325 schools are expected to have a club or varsity team competing in the spring 2027 collegiate flag football season. The NCAA is likely to see its first championship contested in 2028. That's the same timeline as the NAIA's first flag football championship and one major international milestone.

The NAIA is moving flag football to an invitational sport starting for the first time in the 2026 season.. It's increasingly likely that flag football will be an NAIA Championship Sport by the spring 2028 season. The NAIA is set to hold its first invitational tournament in 2026, after elevating the sport to invitational status last summer. The inaugural invitational tournament will take place in Bradenton, Florida, from Wednesday, May 6, through Saturday, May 9. The format will include 4 automatic qualification bids and 4 at-large selections competing in an 8-team double elimination bracket.
The NAIA has 35 varsity programs competing during the 2026 spring season. At least 20 NAIA schools are adding varsity flag football for the 2026-27 academic year, a number that could rise further in the coming months.

Over 55 NCAA D-I schools offer a club team, with more expected in the coming years after the NCAA added flag football to the Emerging Sports for Women program in January. Some of today's Division I club teams will be elevated to varsity status in the future as the sport continues to grow rapidly. 

In January 2026, the NCAA officially added women’s flag football to its Emerging Sports for Women program, marking a major milestone in the evolution of girls flag football at the collegiate level. This designation immediately opens the door for more varsity programs and sets a clear pathway toward full NCAA championship status in the future.

What Emerging Sport Status Means for Girls Flag Football:
For student-athletes, this decision is huge. Emerging sport status means that colleges across the country will now be encouraged — and increasingly motivated — to sponsor women’s flag football at the varsity level. As high school girls flag football teams grow, so do opportunities for competition and scholarships that weren’t previously available in this space.

According to the NCAA, as many as 60 programs are expected by spring 2026 and more schools planning launches in the coming years. This rapid expansion reflects growing interest nationwide, including strong momentum for girls flag football in Florida, where participation has surged at the youth and high school levels.

Flag football is also debuting as an Olympic sport in the 2028 Olympic Games with a six-team tournament. This global spotlight further validates the sport’s legitimacy and long-term potential for aspiring athletes.

What This Means Right Now:
Female athletes now receive scholarships, NIL deals, and national team invites .
Schools offering women’s flag football will immediately count toward the NCAA’s required 40 varsity programs threshold, the minimum needed for a sport to be considered for NCAA championship status.
Over the next several years, colleges will build rosters, hire coaches, and expand competitive schedules as women’s flag football gains traction nationwide.
If participation keeps growing, women’s flag football could reach full championship status within a decade, joining the ranks of other NCAA championship sports.

In 2026, flag football is experiencing massive growth, highlighted by its official addition to the NCAA Emerging Sports for Women program. Over 60 colleges are expected to sponsor women's flag football by spring 2026. Major 2026 highlights include the NFL Pro Bowl featuring flag games in San Francisco, Tom Brady participating in a March 2026 tournament in Saudi Arabia, and the launch of a new professional league backed by $32 million in NFL team investments. 

Flag football has been one of the fastest-growing sports in the country at the youth, high school and collegiate levels. The sport's momentum includes being added as a sport for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
"Welcoming women's flag football into the Emerging Sports for Women is a meaningful step toward expanding access, equity and opportunity," said Jacqie McWilliams, commissioner of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. "This sport has already sparked passion nationwide, and now countless young women will see a path that once didn't exist. We celebrate the programs leading the way and look forward to the transformative impact they will have on the future of collegiate athletics."

The Emerging Sports for Women program is intended to help schools provide more athletics opportunities for women and more sport-sponsorship options for schools, while helping that sport achieve NCAA championship status. 
"The recognition of women's flag football as an NCAA emerging sport marks an important and inspiring step forward for collegiate athletics.

And the future keeps getting brighter. Flag football will be part of the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, and women’s flag football continues opening doors at the college level too. That means girls in Texas are not just joining a growing sport. They are stepping into a future with bigger opportunities than ever before.

Girls flag football in Texas is not a novelty. It is not a gimmick. It is football, and the girls playing it deserve the same respect, coverage, and excitement that Texas gives every version of the game it loves. They are not borrowing the spotlight. They are earning it.

There are nearly a dozen and a half new teams, with a majority being student-run club programs. On the varsity side, Central Community College (NE) is adding a flag football program. The school hopes to compete in the NJCAA as soon as the 2026-27 academic year. The CCCAA has three new programs: Modesto Junior College (CA), Pasadena City College (CA), and Reedley College (CA).

The remainder of the new programs are NCAA club teams. NCAA Division I Boise State University (ID), Harvard University (MA), High Point University (NC), Montana State University, North Carolina A&T University, Northern Arizona University, Syracuse University (NY), the University of California at Davis, the University of Indiana, the University of Oklahoma, and the University of Pennsylvania have or are in the process of launching student-run club teams. Two NCAA Division II club teams are in the works as well: Adelphi University (NY) and Minnesota State University.

The American Southwest Conference, DALLAS, Texas –  is proud to announce plans for the addition of flag football as a women’s varsity sport, beginning in the 2026-27 academic year. All members of the American Southwest Conference will sponsor women’s flag football with conference play to begin as soon as permitted by the NCAA. 
“We are excited about the addition of flag football and the opportunities it provides female student-athletes in the American Southwest Conference,” ASC Commissioner David Flores said. “We are looking forward to growing the sport as a conference and recognizing more ASC champions.”

The University of Texas at Arlington is adding women’s flag football to its intercollegiate athletics program, becoming the first NCAA Division I university in Texas to do so—and staking a bold claim in one of the nation’s fastest growing sports.

Concordia University  (Texas) – Launched a varsity flag football program in October 2024, with plans to compete as a club sport in 2026 and as a varsity sport in 2027.

Texas Wesleyan University  – Announced the formation of a flag football team, aiming to start playing in the 2026 season as part of the NAIA.

Roberts Wesleyan University (NY) is gearing up to start an NCAA women’s flag football team. The university announced on Tuesday April 22, 2025 that the team is expected to start competition in the spring of 2026. Because Roberts Wesleyan is a Division II school, athletic scholarships will be available starting this fall. The university says it’s already working to recruit athletes.

Virginia Wesleyan University is forming its first women's flag football team for 2026 — this comes as other teams have popped up throughout Hampton Roads. “We will be one of the first [colleges] in the Commonwealth to offer women’s flag football,” said Andrea Hoover, executive director for intercollegiate athletics at Virginia Wesleyan University.

The University of Tampa (Florida) fielded its first-ever flag football team in 2024 and named Jimmy Barbarise head coach.  Barbarise said "The University of Tampa Women's Flag Football team is a great way to participate in a fun and competitive football environment".

Alabama State made history on June 4, 2024 with the announcement that a women’s flag football program will be joining the university’s list of athletic offerings. Hornets athletic director Jason Cable adds, “The University is proud to be the first Division I Historically Black College and Universities school to offer a women’s flag football program.”   

King University (Tennessee) added women's flag football this July, 2024 as its next sanctioned varsity sport to begin in 2026 .  King University adding girls flag football as a sanctioned sport next year opens the door for more colleges and universities to begin the program and have enough players to compete. 

Manhattan University (NY) will add a varsity women's flag football program and begin competing in the 2026-27 academic year. Manhattan is the fifth school from the NCAA Division I Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) to add a club or varsity team.

Spring Hill College (AL) will also add a varsity women's flag football team beginning with the 2026-27 academic year. Spring Hill is the second school from the NCAA Division II Gulf South Conference to add the sport, following the University of West Alabama.

The University of Nebraska  athletic department plans to have a coach hired by summer and recruit a roster of about 15 players by the start of the fall 2026 semester. "This is a banner day for Nebraska Athletics and for women’s sports," Nebraska Athletic Director Troy Dannen said. Nebraska will begin competing at the varsity level in the 2027-28 academic year.

 University of North Alabama announced on Tuesday, September 30, 2026. the addition of one new program to the athletic department, alongside the expansion of two existing programs, to begin competition in 2026-27. UNA becomes the second Division I school in Alabama to add women's flag football, joining Alabama State who announced the sport in 2024-25. The Lions are among the first six schools to announce women's flag football as a sponsored varsity sport at the Division I level along with future United Athletic Conference opponent UT Arlington, Mount St. Mary's, LIU and Mercyhurst.

Cal, Georgia Tech, and UCLA added women's flag football club teams and will compete during the 2026 spring season. 
Long Beach State (CA) added men's and women's flag football club teams, while also planning to compete in spring 2026.
Stillman College (AL) will add women's flag football beginning with the 2026-27 academic year. Stillman is the first member of the NAIA's HBCU Athletic Conference to add a varsity team and the second overall to establish a flag football program.

The NAIA's Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) will begin sponsoring women's flag football in the 2026-27 academic year. The SSAC's first championship will be held from Thursday, April 22, through Saturday, April 24. The SSAC will have 9 members in the first season.

Wagner College (NY) will join the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) for the spring 2026 season. Wagner is one of 11 schools scheduled to compete in the ECAC next

Jacksonville University has announced the launch of three new club sports programs for spring 2026, highlighted by women's flag football with financial support from the National Football League. The commitment is part of the NFL's broader initiative to expand women's flag football programs at colleges and universities nationwide

List of New Varsity Flag Football Program for 2026-2027

Davenport University (MI) announced the addition of a varsity women's flag football program beginning with the 2026-27 academic year. Davenport is the fourth school from the NCAA Division II GLIAC to add a club or varsity team.
Edward Waters University (FL) will add a varsity women's flag football team beginning with the 2026-27 academic year. EWU is the first team from the NCAA Division II SIAC to add a flag football program.
Elizabethtown College (PA) will add a varsity women's flag football program and begin competing in the 2027-28 academic year. Etown is the first school from the NCAA Division III Landmark Conference to add a flag football team.
Erskine College (SC) will delay its first season to spring 2027. Erksine had a 12-game schedule lined up for spring 2026, but ran into coaching staff issues.
Mount Saint Mary College (NY) elevated its flag football team to varsity status beginning with the 2026 spring season. MSMC is one of four schools from the NCAA Division III Skyline Conference to sponsor flag football.
St. Catherine University (MN) will also add a varsity women's flag football team beginning with the 2026-27 academic year. St. Kate's is the sixth team from the NCAA Division III MIAC to add a club or varsity program.

St. Joseph's University Brooklyn (NY) and Villa Maria College (NY) will compete in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) beginning with the 2026-27 academic year. Brooklyn Director of Athletics, Megan Valentine, stated:

"We are beyond excited to join the ECAC/Jets Flag Football League for the upcoming 2026-2027 season! This partnership will provide enhanced opportunities for our student-athletes and will ensure that we have a full, robust schedule. The evolution of women's flag football has been remarkable, and we are thankful to the ECAC, RCX Sports, and the NCAA for championing the sport's development. This partnership is a major step forward in providing our student-athletes with elite competitive opportunities. We are proud to join forces with organizations committed to the future of the game."

The Bears began competing in the 2025 spring season, with an abbreviated six-game schedule. The 2026 season featured a full complement of games, including participating in the NCAA Division III Skyline Conference Championship. The Bears lost to sister campus St. Joseph's Long Island (NY) in the title game, 32-12.

Villa Maria is the second member of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) to join the ECAC, following Penn State Schuylkill. Villa Maria went 18-10 overall in its first season in 2025. This season, the Vikings went 21-4, including a semifinal appearance in the NCFFL. Head coach Keith Wing said:

"Joining the ECAC represents an exciting new chapter for our program and our student-athletes. We're proud to be part of the continued growth of women's flag football at the collegiate level and grateful for the partnerships helping drive this momentum."

More Details About ECAC's 2027 Season Emerge
During the ECAC's Flag Football Championship, Commissioner Dan Coonan stated the conference was planning to adopt a "March Madness-style" format for 2027. Although he didn't provide specifics other than a desire to see every ECAC team compete in next year's tournament, the press release from St. Joseph's Brooklyn sheds light on his comments.

For the 2027 spring season, the ECAC aims to have 32 teams, split into four divisions of eight teams. Each team will play about a dozen conference games before the ECAC's season-ending tournament. The conference tournament would include every team competing over two weeks at the end of April and the beginning of May.

15 teams competed in the ECAC's first season in spring 2026: Allegheny College (PA), Centenary University (NJ), Eastern University (PA), Franciscan University (OH), Kean University (NJ), Long Island University (NY), Marymount University (VA), Mercy University (NY), Mercyhurst University (PA), Montclair State University (NJ), Mount St. Mary's University (MD), Penn State Schuylkill (PA), Sacred Heart University (CT), Saint Joseph's University (PA), and Wagner (NY). Marymount captured the inaugural title with a thrilling 37-26 win over Franciscan.

That number is currently at 23 teams for the 2027 spring season, with 9 more additions expected to reach the 32-team league. Caldwell University (NJ), Dominican University New York, Fairleigh Dickinson University (NJ), Hobart and William Smith Colleges (NY), St. Joseph's University Brooklyn (NY), Sweet Briar College (VA), Union College (NY), and Villa Maria (NY) will begin competing in the ECAC. The list of teams is subject to change, and some schools may not ultimately compete in the ECAC in 2027.

Even beyond 2027, at least one team would like to play in the ECAC: Binghamton University (NY) plans to join in its inaugural season during spring 2028. The 2028 ECAC Championship bracket could be even larger than the 32-team one penciled in for spring 2027.

When the ECAC and New York Jets announced the creation of the flag football league, 15 schools were initially listed for the 2026 and 2027 spring seasons. That number has steadily grown since December and will more than double in 2027. The Championship Game will also move from the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center to MetLife Stadium beginning with the 2027 spring tournament.

CONFERENCES WITH WOMEN FLAG FOOTBALL:
American Southwest Conference:
East Texas Baptist University (Marshall,Tx.)
Hardin - Simmons University  (Abilene,Tx.)
Mary Hardin Baylor University (Belton,Tx.)
Howard Payne University (Brownwood, Tx.)

Conference Carolinas announced May 6, 2025 the addition of women's flag football as a conference sponsored sport starting in 2025-26. 

Participating CC Institutions:
Barton College
Chowan University
Emmanuel University
 Erskine College
Ferrum College
 King University 
Lees-McRae College
 Mars Hill University
Mount St. Mary’s University
the University of Mount Olive 
Wingate University
                                                      
The Atlantic East Conference became the first Division III NCAA conference to officially sponsor the sport in the spring 2025 season.

Participating AEC Institutions:
Marymount University (Virginia)
Neumann University (Pennsylvania)
Eastern University (Pennsylvania)
Holy Family University (Pennsylvania)
Immaculata University (Pennsylvania)
Cabrini University (Pennsylvania)
Penn State Schuylkill (Pennsylvania)
                                                                                                   
 The United East  (N.Y.)announced today the anticipated addition of women's flag football as a conference-sponsored sport starting in 2025-26.

Participating UEC Institutions:
Gallaudet University
Keystone College
 Lancaster Bible College
Penn College 
Rosemont College

The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (Charlotte, N.C.) is excited to announce the launch of Women’s Flag Football at seven of its member institutions, set to kick off in Spring 2025. 

Participating CIAA Institutions:
Bluefield State University 
Bowie State University 
Claflin University 
Fayetteville State University 
Johnson C. Smith University 
Virginia Union University 
Winston-Salem State University 

The Minnesota Vikings have partnered with six NCAA institutions to launch a collegiate women’s flag football league, with inaugural competitions starting in April 2025. 

Participating NCAA Institutions:
University of Wisconsin-Stout (Wisconsin)
Augustana University (South Dakota)
Concordia College Moorhead (Minnesota)
Gustavus Adolphus College (Minnesota)
Bethel University (Minnesota)
University of Northwestern  (Minnesota)
East Texas Baptist University (Marshall, Texas)

National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)
The NAIA has been a pioneer in adopting women’s flag football, officially recognizing it in the 2020–21 season.

Participating NAIA Institutions:
Ottawa University (Kansas)
Keiser University (Florida)
Kansas Wesleyan University (Kansas)
Thomas University (Georgia)
Baker University (Kansas)
Midland University (Nebraska)
Warner University (Florida)
Cottey College (Missouri)
Webber International University (Florida)
Southwestern College (Kansas)
St. Thomas University (Florida)
Milligan University (Tennessee)
Reinhardt University (Georgia)
University of Saint Mary (Kansas)
Point University (Georgia)
Campbellsville University (Kentucky)
Life University (Georgia)
Florida Memorial University (Florida)
Graceland University (Iowa)
Bethel College (Kansas)

The National Junior College Athletic Association recognized women’s flag football as an emerging sport starting in 2023. 

Participating NJCAA Institutions:
Bryant & Stratton College (Wisconsin)
Fort Scott (Kansas)
Pratt (Kansas)
Florida Gateway College (Florida)
Kennedy King College (Chicago, IL)
Dabney S. Lancaster Community College (Clifton Forge, VA)
Hocking College (Nelsonville, OH)
Nassau Community College (New York)
Union County College (Cranford, NJ)

The Empire 8 (NY) is excited to announce the addition of women’s flag football as a conference-sponsored championship sport for the 2025-26 season. 

Participating E8C Institutions:
SUNY Brockport
Elmira College
Hartwick College
SUNY Geneseo
Russell Sage College

Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) 
Centenary College of Louisiana
Concordia University Texas
Hendrix College (AR) 
Millsaps College (MS).

National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
Atlantic East Conference
The Atlantic East Conference became the first NCAA conference to officially sponsor the sport in the spring 2025 season.
Participating Institutions:
Marymount University (Virginia)
Neumann University (Pennsylvania)
Eastern University (Pennsylvania)
Holy Family University (Pennsylvania)
Immaculata University (Pennsylvania)
Cabrini University (Pennsylvania)
Penn State Schuylkill (Pennsylvania)
The season's official kickoff was celebrated with a Women's Flag Football Media Day on March 3, 2025, at Lincoln Financial Field, hosted by the Philadelphia Eagles.
Minnesota Vikings Partnership
The Minnesota Vikings have partnered with six NCAA institutions to launch a collegiate women's flag football league, with inaugural competitions starting in April 2025.
Participating Institutions:
University of Wisconsin-Stout (Wisconsin)
Augustana University (South Dakota)
Concordia College Moorhead (Minnesota)
Gustavus Adolphus College (Minnesota)
Bethel University (Minnesota)
University of Northwestern – St. Paul (Minnesota)
Schedule of Events:
Saturday, April 5 – Jamboree at University of Northwestern, St. Paul
Saturday, April 12 – Jamboree at University of Wisconsin-Stout
Saturday, April 26 – Championship tournament at TCO Stadium
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)
The NAIA has been a pioneer in adopting women's flag football, officially recognizing it in the 2020–21 season.
Participating Institutions:
Ottawa University (Kansas)
Keiser University (Florida)
Kansas Wesleyan University (Kansas)
Thomas University (Georgia)
Baker University (Kansas)
Midland University (Nebraska)
Warner University (Florida)
Cottey College (Missouri)
Webber International University (Florida)
Southwestern College (Kansas)
St. Thomas University (Florida)
Milligan University (Tennessee)
Reinhardt University (Georgia)
University of Saint Mary (Kansas)
Point University (Georgia)
Campbellsville University (Kentucky)
Life University (Georgia)
Florida Memorial University (Florida)
Graceland University (Iowa)
Bethel College (Kansas)
List of New Varsity Flag Football Program for 2026-2027
Flag Football is growing fast! Here is a list of the new varsity programs for the 26-27 season:
D1
- Cal Poly State University
- Fairleigh Dickinson University
- Manhattan University
- Mississippi Valley State University
- University of Texas Arlington
- University of North Alabama
- University of South Carolina Upstate
D2
- Barry University
- Caldwell University
- Dominican University (NY)
- Goldey-Beacom College
- Lewis University
- Newberry College
- Point Park University
- Saginaw Valley State University
- Spring Hill College
- University of Bridgeport
- University of Illinois Springfield
- University of West Alabama
- University of Wisconsin - Parkside
D3
- Agnes Scott College
- Albright College
- Allegheny College
- Anna Maria College
- Baldwin Wallace University
- Beloit College
- Blackburn College
- Bridgewater College
- Centenary College (LA)
- East Texas Baptist University
- Eastern Connecticut State University
- Eureka College
- Hardin-Simmons University
- Hobart and William Smith Colleges
- Howard Payne University
- Lebanon Valley College
- McMurry University
- Meredith College
- Millikin College
- Millsaps College
- Ripon College
- Schreiner University
- St. John Fisher University
- Sweet Briar College
- Union College
- University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
- University of Mount Union
- Westminster College (MO)
NAIA
- Andrew College
- College of Saint Mary (NE)
- Defiance College
- Freed-Hardeman University
- Hastings College
- Hesston College
- Indiana Wesleyan University
- McPherson College
- Missouri Baptist University
- Missouri Valley College
- Mount Mary University
- Oklahoma Wesleyan University
- Stillman College
- The University of Tennessee Southern
- Wesleyan College (GA)
- William Penn University
NJCAA
- Jackson State Community College
- Minnesota North College - Vermilion
- Rowan College of South Jersey Cumberland
- Richard Bland College
For the 27-28 Season we have these schools
D1
- Charleston Southern University
- University of Nebraska
D2
- Slippery Rock University
D3
- Lakeland University

APRIL 2026 UP TO DATE COMPLETE LIST OF EVERY TEAM PLAYING WOMEN’s COLLEGE FLAG FOOTBALL:
Active Varsity 
Alabama State Hornets - (Ind.)
LIU Sharks - ECAC
Mercyhurst Lakers - ECAC, NCFFL
Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers- ECAC, Conference Carolinas

Active Club Team 
Albany Great Danes - NCFFL
Arizona State Sun Devils
Buffalo Lady Bulls
California Golden Bears
Cal Baptist Lancers
Cal Poly Mustangs
Central Florida Knights - SWCFFA
Charlotte 49ers - SWCFFA
Clemson Tigers - SWCFFA
Colorado Buffaloes
Connecticut Huskies
Delaware Blue Hens
Delaware State Hornets
Duke Lady Devils - SWCFFA
Florida Gators - WCFFL
Florida A&M Rattlers - WCFFL
Florida Atlantic Owls - WCFFL
Florida Gulf Coast Eagles
Florida International Panthers - WCFFL
Florida State Seminoles - WCFFL
Georgia Bulldogs
Grand Canyon Lopes
Howard Bison
Iona Gaels - NCFFL
Jacksonville Dolphins
Kennesaw State Owls
Long Beach State Beach
Maryland Terrapins
Montana Grizzlies
Niagara Purple Eagles
North Carolina Central Eagles - SWCFFA
North Carolina State Wolfpack
North Florida Ospreys - WCFFL
Penn State Nittany Lions
Pittsburgh Panthers
Prairie View A&M Panthers
Princeton Tigers
Purdue Fort Wayne Dons
Radford Highlanders
Rutgers Scarlet Knights - NCFFL
Sacred Heart Pioneers
South Florida Bulls - WCFFL
Syracuse Orange
Texas Southern Tigers
UCLA Bruins
USC Trojans
Vermont Catamounts
Virginia Cavaliers - SWCFFA
Wagner Seahawks - ECAC

Announced Varsity Team
Binghamton Bearcats
Manhattan Jaspers
Mississippi Valley State Devilettes
Nebraska Cornhuskers
UT- Arlington Mavericks

Announced Club Team
Valparaiso Beacons

NCAA Division I
Active Varsity
Barton Bulldogs - Conference Carolinas
Bluefield State University - CIAA
Bowie State Bulldogs - CIAA
Caldwell Cougars - ECAC
Chestnut Hill Griffins - Atlantic East (D3)
Chowan Hawks - Confernce Carolinas
Claflin Panthers - CIAA
Emmanuel Lions - Conference Carolinas
Erskine Flying Fleet - Conference Carolinas
Fayetteville State Broncos - CIAA
Ferrum Panthers - Conference Carolinas, NCFFL
Holy Family Tigers- Atlantic East
Johnson C Smith Golden Bulls - CIAA
Livingstone Blue Bears - CIAA
King Tornado- Conference Carolinas
Lees-McRae Bobcats - Conference Carolinas
Mars Hill Lions - Conference Carolinas
Mount Olive Trojans - Conference Carolinas
PennWest California Vulcans
Post Eagles
Purdue Northwest Pride
Roberts Wesleyan Redhawks
Tampa Spartans -WCFFL
Virginia Union Panthers - CIAA
Wingate Bulldogs- Conference Carolinas
Winston-Salem State Rams - CIAA

Active Club Team
Augustana Vikings - MCWFFL
Barry Buccaneers- WCFFL
Columbus State Cougars
Daeman Wildcats
D'Youville Saints
GCSU Bobcats
Mercy Mavericks - ECAC
North Alabama Lions
Seton Hill Griffins
Slippery Rock The Rock
College of Staten Island Dolphins - NCFFL
Ursuline College

Announced Team
Bridgeport Purple Knights
Dominican Chargers - ECAC
Goldey-Beacom Lightning
Illinois-Springfield Prairie Stars
Lewis Flyers
Missouri Southern State Lions
Newberry Wolves
Point Park Pioneers
Saginaw Valley State Cardinals
Saint Leo Lions
St. Thomas Aquinas Spartans

NCAA Division II
Active Varsity
Allegheny Gators - ECAC
Aurora Spartans
Benedictine Eagles
Cairn Highlanders - United East
Cedar Crest Falcons - United East
Centenary University Cyclones - Atlantic East
Eastern Eagles - ECAC, Atlantic East
Elmira Soaring Eagle - Empire Eight
Gallaudet Bison- United East
Hartwick Hawks - Empire Eight
Hendrix Warriors - SCAC
Hollins University
Huntingdon Hawks
Illinois College Lady Blues
Illinois Wesleyan Titans
Immaculata Mighty Macs - Atlantic East
Keystone Giants - United East
LaGrange Panthers
Lancaster Bible Chargers - United East, NCFFL
Marian Sabres
Marymount Saints - Atlantic East
Marywood Pacers - Atlantic East
Neumann Knights - Atlantic East
North Park Vikings
Penn State Harrisburg Nittany Lions - United East
Penn State Schuylkill Nittany Lions - ECAC, Atlantic East
Redlands Bulldogs
Rockford Regents
Russell Sage Gator - Empire Eight
Schreiner Mountaineers - American Southwestern
SUNY Brockport Golden Eagles - Empire Eight
SUNY Geneseo Knights - Empire Eight
Wisconsin-Oshkosh Titans

Active Club Team
Bethel Royals - MCWFFL
Bowdoin Polar Bears
Cal Lutheran Regals
Centenary College Ladies - SCAC
Claremont Coyotes
Concordia Tornados - SCAC
Concordia Moorhead Cobbers -MCWFFL
Cortland Red Dragons - NCFFL
Franciscan Lady Baron - ECAC
Gustavus Adolphus Golden Gusties - MCWFFL
The Heidelberg Berg
Kean Cougars - ECAC, NCFFL
Millsaps Majors - SCAC
Montclair State Red Hawks - ECAC
Mount St. Mary College Knights
Northwestern-St. Paul Eagles - MCWFFL
NYU Violets
Old Westbury Panthers
Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens
Rosemont Ravens
St. Benedict Bennies - MCWFFL
Schreiner Mountaineers - American Southwestern
SJBK Bears- NCFFL
SJLI Golden Eagles - NCFFL
Spelman Jaguars
St. Vincent Bearcats
Virginia Wesleyan Marlins
Wisconsin-Stout Blue Devils -MCWFFL
Wittenberg Tigers

Announced Team
Agnes Scott Scotties
Albright Lions
Anna Maria Amcats
Beloit Buccaneers
Bethany College
Blackburn Beavers
Chatham Cougars
East Texas Baptist Tigers - American Southwest
Eastern Connecticut State Warriors
Eureka Red Devils
Guilford Quakers
Hardin-Simmons Cowgirls - American Southwest
Howard Payne Yellow Jackets - American Southwest
Knox Prairie Fire
Lakeland Muskies
Lebanon Valley Flying Dutchmen
Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders - American Southwest
McMurry Warhawks - American Southwest
Meredith Avenging Angels
Old Westbury Panthers
Penn College Wildcats
Ripon Red Hawks
Saginaw Valley State Cardinals
St. John Fisher Cardinals
Sweet Briar Vixens - ECAC
Thiel Tomcats
Union Garnet - ECAC
William Smith Herons

NCAA Division III
Active Varsity
Arizona Christian Firestorm - GSAC
Baker Wildcats - KCAC
Benedictine Mesa Redhawks - GSAC
Bethel Threshers - KCAC
Brewton-Parker Barons- SUN
Campbellsville Tigers - NCFFL
Cumberland Phoenix
Cottey Comets - KCAC
Florida Memorial Lions - SUN
Graceland Yellowjackets - KCAC
Hesston Larks - KCAC
Hope International Royals - GSAC
Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes - KCAC
Keiser Seahawks - KCAC
La Sierra Eagles - GSAC
Lindsey Wilson Blue Raiders
Life Running Eagles - SUN
Midland Warriors - KCAC
Milligan Buffaloes
Ottawa Braves - KCAC
OUAZ Spirit - GSAC
Point Skyhawks - SUN
Reinhardt Eagles - SUN
Saint Francis Cougars
Saint Mary Spires - KCAC
Siena Heights Saints
Simpson Red Hawks - GSAC
Southwestern Moundbuilders - KCAC
St. Thomas Bobcats - SUN
Texas Wesleyan Rams
Thomas Night Hawks - SUN
Warner Royals - SUN
Webber International Warriors -SUN
William Woods Owls - KCAC

Announced Team
Calumet Crimson Wave
Defiance Yellow Jackets
Freed-Hardeman Lady Lions
Hastings Broncos - KCAC
Indiana Wesleyan Wildcats
Lourdes Gray Wolves
McPherson Bulldogs - KCAC
Midway Eagles
Missouri Baptist Spartans
Missouri Valley Vikings
Northern Ohio Racers
Oklahoma Wesleyan Eagles - KCAC
College of Saint Mary Flames - KCAC
SCAD Savannah Bees - SUN
Tennessee Southern Firehawks
Washington Adventist Shock
Wesleyan (GA) Wolves
William Penn Statesmen

NAIA
Active Varsity
Andrew Fighting Tigers
Bishop State Wildcats - ACCC
Bryant & Stratton Bobcats
Calhoun Warhawks - ACCC
Daytona State Falcons - FCSAA
Dupage Chapparals
Florida Gateway Timberwolves - FCSAA
Harcum Bears
Harford Fighting Owls
Howard CC Dragons - NCFFL
LBW Saints - ACCC
North Central Missouri Pirates
NWSCC Patriots - ACCC
Pasco-Hernando State Bobcats - FCSAA
Pratt CC Beavers
Roxbury CC Tigers
Shelton State Bucs - ACCC
Snead State Parsons - ACCC
Wallace State Lions - ACCC

Announced Team
Camden Cougars
Fort Scott Greyhounds
Georgia Highlands Chargers
Harcum Bears
Harrisburg Area CC Hawks
Hocking Hawks
Jackson State Green Jays
Minnesota North- Vermillion Ironhawks
Nassau CC Lions
RCSJ- Cumberland Dukes
Richard Bland Statesmen
Triton Trojans

NJCAA
Active Varsity
Atlantis Atlanteans - WCFFL
Barber-Scotia Sabers
Manor Blue Jays
Villa Maria Vikings - NCFFL

Announced Team
Bryant & Stratton- Albany Bobcats
Bryant & Stratton- Buffalo Bobcats
Bucks CC Centurions
Five Towns College Sound
John Melvin Mohawks

USCAA
Active  Varsity
Cypress Chargers
East Los Angeles Huskies
El Camino Warriors
Golden West Rustlers
Grossmont Griffins
Irvine Valley Lasers
MiraCosta Spartans
Moreno Valley Mountain Lions
Norco Mustangs
Saddleback Bobcats
Santa Barbara City College
Ventura Pirates

Announced Team
Santiago Canyon Hawks

CCCAA / 3C2A
Active Club Team
Dallas Christian Crusaders
Fort Lauderdale Eagles

Announced Team
Kansas Christian Falcons
Nobel Knights

NCCAA
Barber-Scotia Sabers
Maharishi International
South Florida Technical Tigers
Nevada State Scorpions - WCFFL

EVERY TEAM PLAYING WOMEN’s COLLEGE FLAG FOOTBALL
Active Varsity 
Alabama State Hornets - (Ind.)
LIU Sharks - ECAC
Mercyhurst Lakers - ECAC, NCFFL
Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers- ECAC, Conference Carolinas

Active Club Team 
Albany Great Danes - NCFFL
Arizona State Sun Devils
Buffalo Lady Bulls
California Golden Bears
Cal Baptist Lancers
Cal Poly Mustangs
Central Florida Knights - SWCFFA
Charlotte 49ers - SWCFFA
Clemson Tigers - SWCFFA
Colorado Buffaloes
Connecticut Huskies
Delaware Blue Hens
Delaware State Hornets
Duke Lady Devils - SWCFFA
Florida Gators - WCFFL
Florida A&M Rattlers - WCFFL
Florida Atlantic Owls - WCFFL
Florida Gulf Coast Eagles
Florida International Panthers - WCFFL
Florida State Seminoles - WCFFL
Georgia Bulldogs
Grand Canyon Lopes
Howard Bison
Iona Gaels - NCFFL
Jacksonville Dolphins
Kennesaw State Owls
Long Beach State Beach
Maryland Terrapins
Montana Grizzlies
Niagara Purple Eagles
North Carolina Central Eagles - SWCFFA
North Carolina State Wolfpack
North Florida Ospreys - WCFFL
Penn State Nittany Lions
Pittsburgh Panthers
Prairie View A&M Panthers
Princeton Tigers
Purdue Fort Wayne Dons
Radford Highlanders
Rutgers Scarlet Knights - NCFFL
Sacred Heart Pioneers
South Florida Bulls - WCFFL
Syracuse Orange
Texas Southern Tigers
UCLA Bruins
USC Trojans
Vermont Catamounts
Virginia Cavaliers - SWCFFA
Wagner Seahawks - ECAC

Announced Varsity Team
Binghamton Bearcats
Manhattan Jaspers
Mississippi Valley State Devilettes
Nebraska Cornhuskers
UT- Arlington Mavericks

Announced Club Team
Valparaiso Beacons

NCAA Division I
Active Varsity
Barton Bulldogs - Conference Carolinas
Bluefield State University - CIAA
Bowie State Bulldogs - CIAA
Caldwell Cougars - ECAC
Chestnut Hill Griffins - Atlantic East (D3)
Chowan Hawks - Confernce Carolinas
Claflin Panthers - CIAA
Emmanuel Lions - Conference Carolinas
Erskine Flying Fleet - Conference Carolinas
Fayetteville State Broncos - CIAA
Ferrum Panthers - Conference Carolinas, NCFFL
Holy Family Tigers- Atlantic East
Johnson C Smith Golden Bulls - CIAA
Livingstone Blue Bears - CIAA
King Tornado- Conference Carolinas
Lees-McRae Bobcats - Conference Carolinas
Mars Hill Lions - Conference Carolinas
Mount Olive Trojans - Conference Carolinas
PennWest California Vulcans
Post Eagles
Purdue Northwest Pride
Roberts Wesleyan Redhawks
Tampa Spartans -WCFFL
Virginia Union Panthers - CIAA
Wingate Bulldogs- Conference Carolinas
Winston-Salem State Rams - CIAA

Active Club Team
Augustana Vikings - MCWFFL
Barry Buccaneers- WCFFL
Columbus State Cougars
Daeman Wildcats
D'Youville Saints
GCSU Bobcats
Mercy Mavericks - ECAC
North Alabama Lions
Seton Hill Griffins
Slippery Rock The Rock
College of Staten Island Dolphins - NCFFL
Ursuline College

Announced Team
Bridgeport Purple Knights
Dominican Chargers - ECAC
Goldey-Beacom Lightning
Illinois-Springfield Prairie Stars
Lewis Flyers
Missouri Southern State Lions
Newberry Wolves
Point Park Pioneers
Saginaw Valley State Cardinals
Saint Leo Lions
St. Thomas Aquinas Spartans

NCAA Division II
Active Varsity
Allegheny Gators - ECAC
Aurora Spartans
Benedictine Eagles
Cairn Highlanders - United East
Cedar Crest Falcons - United East
Centenary University Cyclones - Atlantic East
Eastern Eagles - ECAC, Atlantic East
Elmira Soaring Eagle - Empire Eight
Gallaudet Bison- United East
Hartwick Hawks - Empire Eight
Hendrix Warriors - SCAC
Hollins University
Huntingdon Hawks
Illinois College Lady Blues
Illinois Wesleyan Titans
Immaculata Mighty Macs - Atlantic East
Keystone Giants - United East
LaGrange Panthers
Lancaster Bible Chargers - United East, NCFFL
Marian Sabres
Marymount Saints - Atlantic East
Marywood Pacers - Atlantic East
Neumann Knights - Atlantic East
North Park Vikings
Penn State Harrisburg Nittany Lions - United East
Penn State Schuylkill Nittany Lions - ECAC, Atlantic East
Redlands Bulldogs
Rockford Regents
Russell Sage Gator - Empire Eight
Schreiner Mountaineers - American Southwestern
SUNY Brockport Golden Eagles - Empire Eight
SUNY Geneseo Knights - Empire Eight
Wisconsin-Oshkosh Titans

Active Club Team
Bethel Royals - MCWFFL
Bowdoin Polar Bears
Cal Lutheran Regals
Centenary College Ladies - SCAC
Claremont Coyotes
Concordia Tornados - SCAC
Concordia Moorhead Cobbers -MCWFFL
Cortland Red Dragons - NCFFL
Franciscan Lady Baron - ECAC
Gustavus Adolphus Golden Gusties - MCWFFL
The Heidelberg Berg
Kean Cougars - ECAC, NCFFL
Millsaps Majors - SCAC
Montclair State Red Hawks - ECAC
Mount St. Mary College Knights
Northwestern-St. Paul Eagles - MCWFFL
NYU Violets
Old Westbury Panthers
Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens
Rosemont Ravens
St. Benedict Bennies - MCWFFL
Schreiner Mountaineers - American Southwestern
SJBK Bears- NCFFL
SJLI Golden Eagles - NCFFL
Spelman Jaguars
St. Vincent Bearcats
Virginia Wesleyan Marlins
Wisconsin-Stout Blue Devils -MCWFFL
Wittenberg Tigers

Announced Team
Agnes Scott Scotties
Albright Lions
Anna Maria Amcats
Beloit Buccaneers
Bethany College
Blackburn Beavers
Chatham Cougars
East Texas Baptist Tigers - American Southwest
Eastern Connecticut State Warriors
Eureka Red Devils
Guilford Quakers
Hardin-Simmons Cowgirls - American Southwest
Howard Payne Yellow Jackets - American Southwest
Knox Prairie Fire
Lakeland Muskies
Lebanon Valley Flying Dutchmen
Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders - American Southwest
McMurry Warhawks - American Southwest
Meredith Avenging Angels
Old Westbury Panthers
Penn College Wildcats
Ripon Red Hawks
Saginaw Valley State Cardinals
St. John Fisher Cardinals
Sweet Briar Vixens - ECAC
Thiel Tomcats
Union Garnet - ECAC
William Smith Herons
Alabama State Hornets - (Ind.)
LIU Sharks - ECAC
Mercyhurst Lakers - ECAC, NCFFL
Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers- ECAC, Conference Carolinas

Active Club Team 
Albany Great Danes - NCFFL
Arizona State Sun Devils
Buffalo Lady Bulls
California Golden Bears
Cal Baptist Lancers
Cal Poly Mustangs
Central Florida Knights - SWCFFA
Charlotte 49ers - SWCFFA
Clemson Tigers - SWCFFA
Colorado Buffaloes
Connecticut Huskies
Delaware Blue Hens
Delaware State Hornets
Duke Lady Devils - SWCFFA
Florida Gators - WCFFL
Florida A&M Rattlers - WCFFL
Florida Atlantic Owls - WCFFL
Florida Gulf Coast Eagles
Florida International Panthers - WCFFL
Florida State Seminoles - WCFFL
Georgia Bulldogs
Grand Canyon Lopes
Howard Bison
Iona Gaels - NCFFL
Jacksonville Dolphins
Kennesaw State Owls
Long Beach State Beach
Maryland Terrapins
Montana Grizzlies
Niagara Purple Eagles
North Carolina Central Eagles - SWCFFA
North Carolina State Wolfpack
North Florida Ospreys - WCFFL
Penn State Nittany Lions
Pittsburgh Panthers
Prairie View A&M Panthers
Princeton Tigers
Purdue Fort Wayne Dons
Radford Highlanders
Rutgers Scarlet Knights - NCFFL
Sacred Heart Pioneers
South Florida Bulls - WCFFL
Syracuse Orange
Texas Southern Tigers
UCLA Bruins
USC Trojans
Vermont Catamounts
Virginia Cavaliers - SWCFFA
Wagner Seahawks - ECAC

Announced Varsity Team
Binghamton Bearcats
Manhattan Jaspers
Mississippi Valley State Devilettes
Nebraska Cornhuskers
UT- Arlington Mavericks

Announced Club Team
Valparaiso Beacons

NCAA Division I
Active Varsity
Barton Bulldogs - Conference Carolinas
Bluefield State University - CIAA
Bowie State Bulldogs - CIAA
Caldwell Cougars - ECAC
Chestnut Hill Griffins - Atlantic East (D3)
Chowan Hawks - Confernce Carolinas
Claflin Panthers - CIAA
Emmanuel Lions - Conference Carolinas
Erskine Flying Fleet - Conference Carolinas
Fayetteville State Broncos - CIAA
Ferrum Panthers - Conference Carolinas, NCFFL
Holy Family Tigers- Atlantic East
Johnson C Smith Golden Bulls - CIAA
Livingstone Blue Bears - CIAA
King Tornado- Conference Carolinas
Lees-McRae Bobcats - Conference Carolinas
Mars Hill Lions - Conference Carolinas
Mount Olive Trojans - Conference Carolinas
PennWest California Vulcans
Post Eagles
Purdue Northwest Pride
Roberts Wesleyan Redhawks
Tampa Spartans -WCFFL
Virginia Union Panthers - CIAA
Wingate Bulldogs- Conference Carolinas
Winston-Salem State Rams - CIAA

Active Club Team
Augustana Vikings - MCWFFL
Barry Buccaneers- WCFFL
Columbus State Cougars
Daeman Wildcats
D'Youville Saints
GCSU Bobcats
Mercy Mavericks - ECAC
North Alabama Lions
Seton Hill Griffins
Slippery Rock The Rock
College of Staten Island Dolphins - NCFFL
Ursuline College

Announced Team
Bridgeport Purple Knights
Dominican Chargers - ECAC
Goldey-Beacom Lightning
Illinois-Springfield Prairie Stars
Lewis Flyers
Missouri Southern State Lions
Newberry Wolves
Point Park Pioneers
Saginaw Valley State Cardinals
Saint Leo Lions
St. Thomas Aquinas Spartans

NCAA Division II
Active Varsity
Allegheny Gators - ECAC
Aurora Spartans
Benedictine Eagles
Cairn Highlanders - United East
Cedar Crest Falcons - United East
Centenary University Cyclones - Atlantic East
Eastern Eagles - ECAC, Atlantic East
Elmira Soaring Eagle - Empire Eight
Gallaudet Bison- United East
Hartwick Hawks - Empire Eight
Hendrix Warriors - SCAC
Hollins University
Huntingdon Hawks
Illinois College Lady Blues
Illinois Wesleyan Titans
Immaculata Mighty Macs - Atlantic East
Keystone Giants - United East
LaGrange Panthers
Lancaster Bible Chargers - United East, NCFFL
Marian Sabres
Marymount Saints - Atlantic East
Marywood Pacers - Atlantic East
Neumann Knights - Atlantic East
North Park Vikings
Penn State Harrisburg Nittany Lions - United East
Penn State Schuylkill Nittany Lions - ECAC, Atlantic East
Redlands Bulldogs
Rockford Regents
Russell Sage Gator - Empire Eight
Schreiner Mountaineers - American Southwestern
SUNY Brockport Golden Eagles - Empire Eight
SUNY Geneseo Knights - Empire Eight
Wisconsin-Oshkosh Titans

Active Club Team
Bethel Royals - MCWFFL
Bowdoin Polar Bears
Cal Lutheran Regals
Centenary College Ladies - SCAC
Claremont Coyotes
Concordia Tornados - SCAC
Concordia Moorhead Cobbers -MCWFFL
Cortland Red Dragons - NCFFL
Franciscan Lady Baron - ECAC
Gustavus Adolphus Golden Gusties - MCWFFL
The Heidelberg Berg
Kean Cougars - ECAC, NCFFL
Millsaps Majors - SCAC
Montclair State Red Hawks - ECAC
Mount St. Mary College Knights
Northwestern-St. Paul Eagles - MCWFFL
NYU Violets
Old Westbury Panthers
Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens
Rosemont Ravens
St. Benedict Bennies - MCWFFL
Schreiner Mountaineers - American Southwestern
SJBK Bears- NCFFL
SJLI Golden Eagles - NCFFL
Spelman Jaguars
St. Vincent Bearcats
Virginia Wesleyan Marlins
Wisconsin-Stout Blue Devils -MCWFFL
Wittenberg Tigers

Announced Team
Agnes Scott Scotties
Albright Lions
Anna Maria Amcats
Beloit Buccaneers
Bethany College
Blackburn Beavers
Chatham Cougars
East Texas Baptist Tigers - American Southwest
Eastern Connecticut State Warriors
Eureka Red Devils
Guilford Quakers
Hardin-Simmons Cowgirls - American Southwest
Howard Payne Yellow Jackets - American Southwest
Knox Prairie Fire
Lakeland Muskies
Lebanon Valley Flying Dutchmen
Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders - American Southwest
McMurry Warhawks - American Southwest
Meredith Avenging Angels
Old Westbury Panthers
Penn College Wildcats
Ripon Red Hawks
Saginaw Valley State Cardinals
St. John Fisher Cardinals
Sweet Briar Vixens - ECAC
Thiel Tomcats
Union Garnet - ECAC
William Smith Herons

NCAA Division III
Active Varsity
Arizona Christian Firestorm - GSAC
Baker Wildcats - KCAC
Benedictine Mesa Redhawks - GSAC
Bethel Threshers - KCAC
Brewton-Parker Barons- SUN
Campbellsville Tigers - NCFFL
Cumberland Phoenix
Cottey Comets - KCAC
Florida Memorial Lions - SUN
Graceland Yellowjackets - KCAC
Hesston Larks - KCAC
Hope International Royals - GSAC
Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes - KCAC
Keiser Seahawks - KCAC
La Sierra Eagles - GSAC
Lindsey Wilson Blue Raiders
Life Running Eagles - SUN
Midland Warriors - KCAC
Milligan Buffaloes
Ottawa Braves - KCAC
OUAZ Spirit - GSAC
Point Skyhawks - SUN
Reinhardt Eagles - SUN
Saint Francis Cougars
Saint Mary Spires - KCAC
Siena Heights Saints
Simpson Red Hawks - GSAC
Southwestern Moundbuilders - KCAC
St. Thomas Bobcats - SUN
Texas Wesleyan Rams
Thomas Night Hawks - SUN
Warner Royals - SUN
Webber International Warriors -SUN
William Woods Owls - KCAC

Announced Team
Calumet Crimson Wave
Defiance Yellow Jackets
Freed-Hardeman Lady Lions
Hastings Broncos - KCAC
Indiana Wesleyan Wildcats
Lourdes Gray Wolves
McPherson Bulldogs - KCAC
Midway Eagles
Missouri Baptist Spartans
Missouri Valley Vikings
Northern Ohio Racers
Oklahoma Wesleyan Eagles - KCAC
College of Saint Mary Flames - KCAC
SCAD Savannah Bees - SUN
Tennessee Southern Firehawks
Washington Adventist Shock
Wesleyan (GA) Wolves
William Penn Statesmen

NAIA
Active Varsity
Andrew Fighting Tigers
Bishop State Wildcats - ACCC
Bryant & Stratton Bobcats
Calhoun Warhawks - ACCC
Daytona State Falcons - FCSAA
Dupage Chapparals
Florida Gateway Timberwolves - FCSAA
Harcum Bears
Harford Fighting Owls
Howard CC Dragons - NCFFL
LBW Saints - ACCC
North Central Missouri Pirates
NWSCC Patriots - ACCC
Pasco-Hernando State Bobcats - FCSAA
Pratt CC Beavers
Roxbury CC Tigers
Shelton State Bucs - ACCC
Snead State Parsons - ACCC
Wallace State Lions - ACCC

Announced Team
Camden Cougars
Fort Scott Greyhounds
Georgia Highlands Chargers
Harcum Bears
Harrisburg Area CC Hawks
Hocking Hawks
Jackson State Green Jays
Minnesota North- Vermillion Ironhawks
Nassau CC Lions
RCSJ- Cumberland Dukes
Richard Bland Statesmen
Triton Trojans

NJCAA
Active Varsity
Atlantis Atlanteans - WCFFL
Barber-Scotia Sabers
Manor Blue Jays
Villa Maria Vikings - NCFFL

Announced Team
Bryant & Stratton- Albany Bobcats
Bryant & Stratton- Buffalo Bobcats
Bucks CC Centurions
Five Towns College Sound
John Melvin Mohawks

USCAA
Active  Varsity
Cypress Chargers
East Los Angeles Huskies
El Camino Warriors
Golden West Rustlers
Grossmont Griffins
Irvine Valley Lasers
MiraCosta Spartans
Moreno Valley Mountain Lions
Norco Mustangs
Saddleback Bobcats
Santa Barbara City College
Ventura Pirates

Announced Team
Santiago Canyon Hawks

CCCAA / 3C2A
Active Club Team
Dallas Christian Crusaders
Fort Lauderdale Eagles

Announced Team
Kansas Christian Falcons
Nobel Knights

NCCAA
Barber-Scotia Sabers
Maharishi International
South Florida Technical Tigers
Nevada State Scorpions - WCFFL

NON-AFFILIATED
Club Teams of Canada
Brock Badgers
Canadore Panthers
Carleton Ravens
Laurentian Voyageurs
McMaster Marauders
Sheridan Bruins
Guelph Gryphins
Ottawa Gee-Gees
Toronto Varsity Blues
Waterloo Warriors
Western Mustangs
Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks
York Lions

Conclusion:
The rapid expansion of women’s flag football at the NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA levels highlights the growing demand and institutional support for the sport. With new teams launching and con football is expected to s
ferences embracing the game, the landscape of women’s collegiate athletics is evolving.