NAIA adds Women’s flag football as championship sport

Staff Reports

CUTHBERT, Ga. – On Wednesday, June 17, the National Administrative Council (NAC) of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics voted to approve Women’s Flag Football as the NAIA’s 30th championship sport beginning with the 2026-27 academic year.

The decision elevates the sport from invitational status to an official championship sport and will culminate with the inaugural NAIA Women’s Flag Football National Championship in the spring of 2027.

“Making Women’s Flag Football an NAIA championship sport is a major milestone,” said NAIA President and CEO Jim Carr. “It expands opportunity, elevates the game, and reflects the momentum behind one of the fastest-growing women’s sports in the country.”

Women’s Flag Football has emerged as one of the fastest-growing sports in the nation, and the NAIA has been at the forefront of its development. In partnership with the NFL, the NAIA became the first collegiate athletics association to recognize Women’s Flag Football at the national level. Since its introduction in 2021, the sport has experienced significant growth across the country.

The upcoming 2026-27 season will mark the second year of the Andrew College Women’s Flag Football program, and the announcement further reinforces the commitment of both the NAIA and Andrew College to expanding opportunities for student-athletes.

Andrew College is expected to be one of approximately 60 NAIA institutions sponsoring Women’s Flag Football during the 2026-27 academic year.

The inaugural NAIA Women’s Flag Football National Championship is scheduled to take place in the spring of 2027.

For more information about NAIA Women’s Flag Football, visit the official NAIA website.