Saint Joseph's College of Maine announced this week that it will add women's flag football as its 21st varsity sport, marking the first time a college in the state has embraced the rapidly growing discipline at the NCAA level.
A New Varsity Offering Takes Shape
The program is slated to begin competition in the spring of 2028, with the college dedicating the 2026‑27 academic year to building a full support structure, from recruiting to scholarship frameworks.
A National Movement
Flag football has exploded across the country, with more than 60,000 girls participating in youth leagues during the 2024‑25 season and recognition by 23 state high school associations. The sport’s momentum is underscored by its inclusion in the NCAA Emerging Sports for Women initiative and plans for an inaugural championship in spring 2028.
Support and Strategic Partnerships
The effort is backed by private philanthropy, including a substantial anonymous gift, and by external funding channels. The college will also tap into grant programs and collaborations with the NFL, USA Football and RCX Sports, entities that have collectively invested heavily in the sport’s infrastructure.
Looking Toward the Olympics
Beyond the collegiate arena, women's flag football is slated to make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles, a milestone that could further accelerate adoption across the Northeast and New England.
Saint Joseph's, a Catholic liberal arts institution of roughly 2,500 students, joins a national landscape of over 100 schools expected to sponsor the sport in coming years, while continuing to emphasize sustainability on its 382‑acre waterfront campus.