Carson-Newman, UMass Dartmouth, Saint Xavier, and Wiley Adding Flag Football
The first half of the week has seen four more future varsity flag football teams announced. Carson-Newman University (TN) will add a varsity team and begin competing in the 2026-27 academic year. Former C-N graduate Jessica Cable was named head coach. Carson-Newman's Director of Intercollegiate Recreational Sports, Hunter Sales, said:
“Women’s Flag Football aligns perfectly with the Intercollegiate Recreational Sports mission to provide non-traditional avenues for student-athletes to pursue their passions while receiving a Christian education at C-N. Women’s Flag Football has seen rapid growth at both the high school and college levels in recent years and we’re excited to offer a pathway for these young women to continue competing.”
Carson-Newman is the fourth member of the NCAA Division II South Atlantic Conference to add a flag football program. Mars Hill University (NC) and Wingate University (NC) are both competing in the D-II Conference Carolinas this season as affiliate members. Newberry College (SC) launched a team late last year, but it is not affiliated with any conference.
Seven schools in Tennessee have announced the addition of flag football: Carson-Newman (NCAA D-II), Cumberland University (NAIA), Freed-Hardeman University (NAIA), Jackson State Community College (NJCAA), King University (NCAA D-II), Milligan University (NAIA), and the University of Tennessee Southern (NAIA).
UMass Dartmouth Adding Club Team for 2026
The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth is adding a flag football club team beginning with the 2026-27 academic year. The team will compete at the club level in spring 2027, followed by varsity competition beginning in the 2027-28 academic year. The school also announced the return of men's lacrosse and swimming programs.
UMass Dartmouth is only the second school from the NCAA Division III Little East Conference to add a club or varsity flag football program. Eastern Connecticut State University announced a varsity program in November 2025, with the first season scheduled for the 2026-27 academic year. Only three schools in Massachusetts offer flag football: Roxbury Community College (NJCAA) is competing in the 2026 spring season, while Anna Maria College (NCAA Division III) is launching a program for the 2026-27 academic year.
The NCAA added flag football to the Emerging Sports for Women program in January, and numerous schools across all three divisions have since announced new varsity teams. Over 60 NCAA institutions are launching flag football in the next two years, including more than 30 in NCAA Division III. Expect that number to continue climbing in the coming months.
Saint Xavier Adding Varsity Flag Football
Saint Xavier University (IL) will add varsity women's flag football beginning with the 2026-27 academic year. The school has already started the head coaching search. Saint Xavier Athletic Director Ken Alston stated:
"I am incredibly excited to announce the addition of women's flag football at our institution. This is an important step in expanding opportunities for our student athletes and continuing our commitment to growth, inclusion, and innovation in athletics. Women's flag football is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country, and we are proud to be part of that momentum. We look forward to welcoming talented student-athletes, building a competitive program, and creating new experiences that will inspire our campus and community."
SXU is the fourth team from the NAIA's Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) to add a team, following Calumet College of St. Joseph (IN), Mount Mary University (WI), and Olivet Nazarene University (IL). All four schools are slated to begin competing in spring 2027.
Illinois has 17 college flag football programs. Competing during the current 2026 spring season are 8 teams: Aurora University (NCAA Division III), Benedictine University (D-III), College of DuPage (NJCAA), Illinois College (D-III), Illinois Wesleyan University (D-III), North Park University (D-III), Rockford University (D-III), and Triton College (NJCAA).
In 2026-27, an additional 9 programs will begin competing: Blackburn College (D-III), Bradley University (D-I Club), Eureka College (D-III), Knox College (D-III Club), Lewis University (D-II), Millikin University (D-III), Olivet Nazarene (NAIA), Saint Xavier (NAIA), and the University of Illinois Springfield (D-II). Greenville University (D-III) is also in the process of adding flag football, but has not made an official announcement or confirmed a timeline.
Wiley Adds Varsity Program
Wiley University (TX) announced a varsity women's flag football team as part of an extensive athletics program expansion beginning with the 2026-27 academic year. The school is also adding bass fishing, esports, and golf programs. University president Dr. Herman J. Felton, Jr. stated:
"It is our vision to have these new programs and state of the art facilities for these programs, by Fall 2026, the new programs of E-sports, Bass Fishing, and Women's Flag Football will begin making history by making us one of the first HBCUs in Texas to host all three athletic programs. The University's choice to implement these programs stems from the rich traditions at the institution and the region."
Wiley is the fourth member of the NAIA's HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCU) to add a program. Southern University at New Orleans (LA) has a club team, while Stillman College (AL) and Wilberforce University (OH) both have incoming varsity teams.
The NAIA is hosting its first Invitational tournament this spring in Bradenton, Florida, from Wednesday, May 6, through Saturday, May 9. The NAIA currently has 35 varsity programs competing in the 2026 spring season, but that number will jump to nearly 60 for spring 2027. 23 NAIA schools have announced their intentions to compete in flag football for the first time in the 2026-27 academic year.
Cumberland Adding JV Team
Cumberland University (Lebanon, Tennessee) will add a junior varsity women's flag football program beginning with the 2026-27 academic year. Cumberland already has a varsity program competing as an independent in the NAIA. The 2026 spring season is the season for the varsity team. The school is adding JV men's volleyball and golf teams, along with varsity men's and women's powerlifting.