Denver and UMBC to Add Flag Football Club Teams as 10 More Clubs to Join NIRSA
Ten more club teams will join NIRSA's Women's Flag Football Club Leagues for the 2026-27 academic year, which also includes two previously unannounced programs. Arizona State University, Florida State University, North Carolina Central University, the University of Albany (NY), the University of Colorado, the University of Denver (CO), the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), the University of Nevada, Reno, the University of Oklahoma, and the University of South Florida are the latest club teams to join the NIRSA leagues.
It was not previously announced that Denver and UMBC would have student-run women's flag football club teams. Denver is a member of the NCAA Division I Summit League, but will leave and join the West Coast Conference (WCC) beginning with the 2026-27 academic year. Saint Mary's College of California is the only other WCC member that currently offers flag football. That will change in 2027-28 when the University of California, San Diego joins the WCC to give the conference at least three club teams.
UMBC is the fourth team from the NCAA Division I America East Conference to add a flag football program. The University at Albany (NY) and the University of Vermont competed as club teams during the 2026 spring season and will also compete in the NCFA in the 2026-27 academic year. Binghamton University (NY) will add a varsity women's flag football team beginning with the 2027-28 academic year. The Bearcats are hoping to compete in the ever-expanding ECAC.
NIRSA has 24 schools lined up for its women's flag football club league beginning in the 2026-27 academic year. Last week, NIRSA and the NFL announced a partnership for the new league, along with some additional flag football initiatives. Part of the announcement included an initial set of teams that would compete, and noted that more schools would be added in the coming months.
The 14 schools announced last week include Bowling Green State University (OH), Clemson University (SC), Coastal Carolina University (SC), Florida Atlantic University, Grand Canyon University (AZ), North Carolina A&T State University, Pennsylvania State University, Radford University (VA), Texas Southern University, University of Central Florida, University of Florida, University of Georgia, University of North Florida, and University of Wisconsin-River Falls.
Florida, Georgia, Grand Canyon, and UCF competed at the inaugural Fiesta Bowl Flag Football Classic in April, with UCF defeating Florida, 19-7. Florida and UCF have been the most dominant teams at the annual NIRSA National Championship, combining to win every title since 2013. Florida has won 7 of the previous 8 championships, including the one held in January 2026.
More details regarding the schedules and end-of-season championship set for April 2027 will be provided at a later date. Teams interested in competing in NIRSA's women's flag football club league can reach out to National Flag Football Manager Nik Sandona via email at nik.sandona@nirsa.org.