Flag Football Added to NCAA’s Emerging Sports For Women

IWU opens its inaugural season, Mar. 7

1/16/2026 12:33:00 PM

NCAA Release

Indianapolis, Ind. - The National Collegiate Athletic Association announced that Flag Football has been added to the list of emerging sports for women, Friday, Jan. 16 at the NCAA Convention in Washington, D.C.

The decision will boost Flag Football towards becoming a NCAA championship sport. Some of the prior sports include ice hockey (2000), bowling (2003), and women's wrestling (2025).

Once in the Emerging Sports for Women program, a sport must have a minimum of 40 schools sponsoring the sport at the varsity level and meet minimum contest and participation requirements to be considered for NCAA championship status. Schools competing in 2026 can be immediately added to the list of 40.

The Titans open their inaugural campaign Mar. 7 at Halas Hall in the Chicago Bears Tournament.

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