Flag football is seeing tremendous growth at all age levels, but that also means the rules can differ. International competition typically features 5-on-5 competition. At the college level in the United States, the typical game is 7-on-7. Some of the core rules remain the same, such as flag football being a non-contact sport. Below is a rundown of the key rules for collegiate flag football in the United States, along with the updated NAIA rules as of the 2026 spring season.

• Games feature 7-on-7 competition.
• There are four 12-minute quarters.
• All players wear a belt with two flags, with flags attached to each hip.
• Tackles are made by pulling one of the flags off the belt.
• The standard field size is 80 yards long by 40 yards wide.
• The field is broken down into 20-yard sections, with the 40-yard line acting as midfield.
• The offense is given four downs to cross each 20-yard section to obtain a first down.
• Punting is allowed.
• Teams that score a touchdown can opt to go for one point from the three-yard line or two points from the ten-yard line.
• There are no field goals or point-after kicks.
• The type of blocking witnessed in the men's game is not allowed in women's college flag football and will result in a penalty.

College Flag Football Roster Sizes and Scholarships

The average roster size is about 25 players, but that can vary depending on the governing body. Athletic scholarships are also available, but the maximum amount depends on the governing body. Note: these limits are subject to change. Here is a breakdown of the latest scholarship limits for varsity programs, as club teams do not offer athletic scholarships.

• NCAA Division I: Up to 25* (Projected limit)
• NCAA Division II: Up to 10 (can be distributed across the entire roster)
• NCAA Division III: Athletic scholarships are not permitted
• NAIA: Up to 12
• NJCAA: Up to 15

Is College Flag Football Played in the Spring or Fall?

As of the 2026-27 academic year, women's college flag football is played in both the fall and spring. However, the majority of games are played in the spring. The NJCAA's Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC) plays during the fall. Student-run club teams also compete throughout the fall. Some varsity teams conduct scrimmages in the fall semester.

Most of the women's flag football games take place in the spring semester. The 3C2A, NAIA, NCAA, and NJCAA all compete during the spring for both varsity teams and student-run clubs. The NAIA, NCAA, and NJCAA also host the season-ending championship during the spring semester.