Last week, the NCAA Committee on Women’s Athletics recommended that all three Divisions should sponsor legislation adding flag football to the collegiate governing body’s Emerging Sports for Women program.
The program aims to address gender equity by offering up-and-coming women’s sports a sanctioned interim growth period at the varsity level.
Once added to the program, a sport has 10 years in which to establish a minimum of 40 school-sponsored varsity teams. Participating schools must also meet certain competition and regulatory requirements for the sport to ultimately earn official NCAA championship status.
Growth spurs NCAA efforts to elevate flag football
With the announcement that flag football will make its Olympic debut at the 2028 LA Games, the sport has seen increased popularity across the US. That interest has sparked inquiries into upping the sport’s competitive status at the NCAA level — particularly from women athletes.
At least 65 NCAA schools currently offer women’s flag football at either the club or varsity level, with more slated to join in 2026, per…
