On Friday, the NCAA announced the addition of flag football to its Emerging Sports for Women program. Shortly after this addition, the University of Nebraska became the first Power Four school to adopt women’s flag football as a varsity sport.
According to AP News, 40 colleges and universities supported women’s flag football teams in 2025. With the new designation from the NCAA, 20 additional schools are projected to add flag football to their offerings.
“This moment reflects the growth of college sports, as schools continue to provide a record number of scholarships and opportunities across the NCAA,” NCAA President Charlie Baker said. “By expanding championship opportunities, we celebrate the remarkable momentum of women’s sports, ensuring more student-athletes have the chance to compete for national titles, represent their institutions and inspire future generations.”
Sports are elevated from the Emerging Sports for Women program when at least 40 schools sponsor the sport at a varsity level and meet all competitive requirements. The next step for women’s flag football will be an elevation to championship status.
At Nebraska, the process of fielding a team and hiring a coaching staff now begins. The Cornhuskers announced that women’s flag football will compete for the first time in the spring of 2028.
“In a time of uncertainty and change in college athletics, creating new participation opportunities continues Nebraska’s rich history of elevating women’s athletics,” Nebraska athletic director Troy Dannen said.
According to The Athletic, Nebraska’s team will play anywhere from 12 to 24 games, and a venue has yet to be assigned to the team. The athletics department aims to recruit 15 student-athletes for the 2026-27 school year and increase the roster size to 25 student-athletes by the first competitive season.
After voting to add women’s flag football to the Emerging Sports program, the NCAA also voted to elevate acrobatics and tumbling, stunt, Division II bowling, and Division III women’s wrestling to championship status.
