The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics announced that women's flag football will become an official championship sport beginning with the 2026‑27 academic year, culminating in the first NAIA Women's Flag Football National Championship in spring 2027.
A New Era for Collegiate Flag Football
The decision follows a five‑year trajectory that saw the sport move from an emerging activity in 2021 to invitational status and now to full championship standing. During the upcoming academic year, roughly 60 NAIA member institutions plan to sponsor women's flag football, providing a broad base of competition that will feed into the national event.
The NAIA has been working closely with the National Football League, leveraging the league’s platform to raise the profile of the sport nationwide. This collaboration underscores a shared commitment to expanding opportunities for female student‑athletes and to establishing a sustainable competitive structure.
NAIA President and CEO Jim Carr described the elevation to championship status as a “major milestone,” emphasizing the organization’s role as a pioneer in collegiate flag football development since its launch in 2021. Austin Bennett, NAIA Vice President for Championships, echoed the sentiment, noting the “remarkable growth” of the sport over the past five years and its emergence as a thriving national competition.
Details regarding qualification pathways, tournament format and championship sites will be released in the coming months, allowing schools and athletes to begin planning for the historic inaugural event.