Women’s Flag Football at the NAIA level continues to grow. Thursday, the NAIA’s National Administrative Council Executive Committee approved Women’s Flag Football as an invitational sport for the 2025-26 season.
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics or NAIA, made up of about 250 schools, launched college flag football as an emerging sport in 2021.
“We’re excited and encouraged by the continued, rapid growth of Women’s Flag Football in the NAIA, and proud to be leading the way in that growth in the collegiate space,” said Austin Bennett, NAIA Vice President of Championships via a news release. “Getting to invitational status is a big step in solidifying the sport on college campuses across the country.”
The 2025-26 season will feature 35 programs competing in NAIA Women’s Flag Football. Beginning in spring 2026, the postseason will shift to a qualification-based invitational tournament.
The NAC will begin developing the sport’s competitive framework, including the format, date, and location of the inaugural NAIA Women’s Flag Football Invitational.
Details on postseason structure and awards will be announced ahead of the 2026 season.
For more information on NAIA Women’s Flag Football, visit NAIA.org.
