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Key Takeaways:
- Flag football has been added to the NCAA’s Emerging Sports for Women program
- Four other women’s sports (acrobatics and tumbling, stunt, Division II bowling, and Division III women’s wrestling) have been elevated to championship status
- Nebraska is the first power conference school to add flag football as a varsity women’s sport, with competition beginning in 2028
- The NCAA projects 60 schools could be competing in women’s flag football by this spring
- The addition of new sports and championships aims to provide more opportunities for student-athletes and promote the growth of women’s sports
Introduction to the NCAA’s Emerging Sports Program
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has announced the addition of flag football to its Emerging Sports for Women program, marking a significant milestone in the growth of women’s sports at the collegiate level. As noted by the NCAA, flag football has been one of the fastest-growing sports at the youth, high school, and collegiate levels, and is set to make its Olympic debut for men and women in 2028. With approximately 40 NCAA schools already sponsoring women’s flag football teams in 2025, the NCAA projects that up to 60 schools could be competing in the sport by this spring.
The Growth of Flag Football
The inclusion of flag football in the NCAA’s Emerging Sports for Women program is a testament to the sport’s rapid growth and popularity. As the NCAA President Charlie Baker stated, "This moment reflects the growth of college sports, as schools continue to provide a record number of scholarships and opportunities across the NCAA." The addition of flag football to the program is expected to provide more opportunities for student-athletes to compete at the collegiate level and potentially pave the way for the sport to become a full-fledged NCAA championship sport in the future. As Baker noted, "By expanding championship opportunities, we celebrate the remarkable momentum of women’s sports, ensuring more student-athletes have the chance to compete for national titles, represent their institutions and inspire future generations."
Nebraska Leads the Way
The University of Nebraska has taken a significant step forward in the development of women’s flag football, announcing that it will become the first power conference school to add the sport as a varsity women’s sport. With competition set to begin in the spring of 2028, Nebraska will immediately commence a coaching search and plans to establish a roster of 20-25 players. The addition of women’s flag football marks the first new sport to be added at Nebraska since beach volleyball in 2013, and will run from January to May. This move is expected to have a significant impact on the growth of the sport, as other schools may follow Nebraska’s lead and add women’s flag football as a varsity sport.
New Championship Sports
In addition to the addition of flag football to the Emerging Sports for Women program, the NCAA has also announced the elevation of four other women’s sports to championship status. These sports include acrobatics and tumbling, stunt, Division II bowling, and Division III women’s wrestling. To become a championship sport, a minimum of 40 schools must sponsor the sport at the varsity level and meet contest and participation requirements. The addition of these new championship sports is expected to provide more opportunities for student-athletes to compete at the national level and promote the growth of women’s sports across the NCAA.
Conclusion and Future Prospects
The addition of flag football to the NCAA’s Emerging Sports for Women program and the elevation of four other women’s sports to championship status marks a significant step forward in the development of women’s sports at the collegiate level. As the NCAA continues to provide more opportunities for student-athletes to compete and succeed, it is likely that we will see further growth and expansion of women’s sports in the future. As Baker noted, the NCAA is committed to "celebrating the remarkable momentum of women’s sports" and providing more opportunities for student-athletes to compete for national titles and inspire future generations. With the inclusion of flag football and other new sports, the NCAA is poised to continue its mission of promoting the growth and development of women’s sports at the collegiate level.
https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/47633348/ncaa-tabs-flag-football-emerging-sport-women
