Assumption, Robert Morris, and Westminster Adding Flag Football
Assumption University (MA) will add a varsity women's flag football program beginning with the 2027-28 academic year. The school has already begun searching for a head coach. Eric Gobiel, Director of Athletics at Assumption, said:
"We are thrilled to announce the addition of NCAA Women's Flag Football to our athletic offerings. As one of the fastest-growing sports in the country, women's flag football provides an exciting new opportunity for student-athletes to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level. We can't wait to see our women take the field and help lay the foundation for the future of collegiate women's flag football in the years to come."
Assumption is the second school in the NCAA Division II Northeast 10 Conference to add a varsity program. Franklin Pierce University (NH) will also begin competing in the 2027-28 academic year.
Robert Morris Adding Varsity Program
Robert Morris University (PA) will add a varsity women's flag football team beginning with the 2027-28 academic year. RMU will begin the head coaching search next week. Dr. Ron Moses, Vice President and Director of Athletics at RMU, stated:
"Adding women's flag football is a tremendous opportunity for female student-athletes and for Robert Morris University. As this sport continues its remarkable growth, we have an opportunity to provide talented student-athletes with a Division I competitive experience and an outstanding RMU education. We're excited to build a program that reflects the momentum of the sport and the standards we have for Robert Morris Athletics."
Robert Morris is the second school in the NCAA Division Horizon League to add women's flag football and the first to offer a varsity team. Purdue University Fort Wayne (IN) will compete as a club team for the 2026-27 academic year.
18 NCAA Division I schools have announced varsity women's flag football programs that will compete during the 2026-27 academic year: Alabama State University, Cal Poly (CA), Delaware State University, Eastern Michigan University, Fairleigh Dickinson University (NJ), Gardner-Webb University (NC), Long Island University (NY), Manhattan University (NY), Mercyhurst University (PA), Mississippi Valley State University, Mount St. Mary's University (MD), Norfolk State University (VA), North Carolina Central University, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, the University of Nebraska, the University of North Alabama, the University of South Carolina Upstate, and the University of Texas at Arlington.
Beyond the 2027 spring season, additional NCAA D-I programs are adding varsity flag football, albeit with various timelines. Coppin State University (MD), Radford University (VA), Sacramento State (CA), and UNC Asheville will elevate teams from club to varsity status for the 2027-28 academic year. Binghamton University (NY), Charleston Southern University, and Robert Morris will launch varsity teams in 2027-28. Jacksonville University (FL) plans to transition from club to varsity status in the future, but a definitive timeline was not provided.
In total, 26 NCAA Division I schools have already added or plan to add a varsity women's flag football program in the future. Some estimates say there could be at least 70 varsity women's flag football programs competing in D-I during the 2027-28 academic year. Currently, two D-I Conferences sponsor women's flag football. The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) will sponsor the sport during the 2026-27 academic year, while the Big South Conference will sponsor it for the 2027-28 academic year.
Women's flag football is currently part of the NCAA's Emerging for Sports Women's program, following a vote at the NCAA Convention in January 2026. The NCAA is overwhelmingly expected to make women's flag football a Championship Sport at the January 2027 convention. Funding for the women's flag football championship has already been approved, with the first championship likely to occur in spring 2028.
SUNY Cortland Joining NCFA
SUNY Cortland (NY) will compete in the National Club Football Association for the 2026-27 academic year. Cortland is one of 19 schools that were announced for the NCFA's inaugural season. The other 18 previously announced include:
Florida State University, Georgia College & State University, Grand Canyon University (AZ), High Point University (NC), Iona University (NY), Long Beach State University (CA), Niagara University (NY), Providence College (RI), Purdue University Fort Wayne (IN), Sacred Heart University (CT), Spelman College (GA), Syracuse University (NY), Texas Southern University, the University at Albany (NY), the University of Connecticut, the University of Oklahoma, the University of Vermont, and the University of Virginia.
The NCFA also announced the North Atlantic Conference, which previously comprised 8 teams split into East and West Divisions. Iona, Providence, Sacred Heart, and UConn will compete in the East, while Albany, Niagara, Syracuse, and Vermont will play in the West. Cortland will likely compete in the West Division, according to the NCFA's website.
Westcliff to Compete in Spring 2027
Westcliff University (CA) will compete in the 2027 women's college flag football spring season. Westcliff announced the addition of flag football in May 2026, but did not indicate a timeline for the first season. The team's Instagram account posted the schedule for next spring, which currently shows 11 opponents.
Westcliff will compete as an independent based on the team's schedule. The Warriors are a full member of the NAIA's California Pacific Conference (Cal Pac), which has two schools sponsoring women's flag football. The other is Simpson University (CA), which competes as an affiliate member of the Great Southwest Athletic Conference.
Westminster to Add Club Team
Westminster University (UT) will add a women's flag football club team beginning with the 2027-28 academic year. The program will be fully funded by the university. Most club teams are student-run organizations and depend on fundraising. Shelley Jarrard, Westminster Athletic Director, added:
"This is an exciting day for Westminster and for women's sports. At a time of change in college athletics, adding flag football creates new opportunities for our student-athletes and builds on Westminster's commitment to women's athletics. Flag football is one of the nation's fastest-growing sports, with participation growing at the youth, high school and collegiate club levels. The sport's inclusion in the 2028 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles makes this an especially exciting time to be part of its growth."
Westminster is the first team in the NCAA Division II Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) to add a club or varsity program. The Griffins are the second school in Utah to offer flag football. The University of Utah has a student-run club team. More schools in Utah are expected to compete during the 2026-27 academic year.