Women’s flag football is on the verge of achieving NCAA championship status before the sport makes its Olympic debut
Women’s flag football is on the verge of an NCAA championship berth. If all goes to plan, the title match could take place before the sport makes its Olympic debut at the 2028 LA Games.
The NCAA’s Committee on Access, Opportunity and Outcomes voted Tuesday to recommend that Divisions I, II and III add a confederate flag football tournament as soon as the spring of 2028.
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Although it is not yet official, it is a big step towards the inclusion of the NCAA tournament for women’s flag football. To be approved, 40 schools need to sponsor it at the varsity level. More than 100 schools plan to compete next school year, according to the NCAA.
“Today is a historic day in collegiate athletics, as women’s flag football officially becomes an NCAA championship sport,” said Marion Terenzio, chair of the Committee on Access, Opportunity and Increased Sports Outcomes and president of SUNY Cobleskill. “This move sees a game whose growth, competitiveness and national momentum cannot be ignored. Elevating flag football to tournament status ensures progress and opens new doors for women to compete at the highest level.”
The next steps to adding an NCAA football flag title game include each section reviewing the recommendations and sponsoring the proposal by July 1. If that happens, the divisions will vote in January 2027, in all three divisions needed to approve the tournament to be held. A committee will also be established to oversee NCAA women’s flag football.
Women’s flag football is looking to join the list of sports that have earned NCAA championship status through the Emerging Sports for Women program. That includes rowing (1996), ice hockey (2000), water polo (2000), bowling (2003), beach volleyball (2015), wrestling (2025), acrobatics and tumbling (2026) and stunt (2026).
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“The momentum behind the game reflects the passion of athletes, coaches, managers and partners across the country who have embraced flag football and invested in creating more opportunities for female athletes,” said Izell Reese, founder and CEO of RCX Sports, the official operator of the NFL FLAG. “We’re excited to continue working with the NCAA, NFL and school leaders to help accelerate that growth and build sustainable pathways for the next generation.”
Jacqie McWilliams Parker, chair of the Access Committee, Opportunity, added: “Girls want to play. Anytime you provide access and opportunity for an easy way to play, the success and participation numbers you see improve.”
The International Olympic Committee voted in 2023 to include flag football, along with cricket, baseball-softball, lacrosse and squash, in the Los Angeles Olympic program.
Participation in flag football on the women’s side is on the rise. More than 20 states have now sanctioned it as a girls’ high school sport and NFL clubs voted in December 2025 to support the launch of a professional football league.
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It also filters through all ages. The number of girls ages 6 to 12 playing flag football has increased 283% from 2015 to 2024, according to a USA Football study.
“This is great news for flag football,” said USA Soccer chief Scott Hallenbeck. “Growing the game is central to our mission, and women’s flag football’s ability to have a fully recognized NCAA tournament does just that.”
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