Trending Now - NCAA Takes Steps to Establish Flag Football Championship

WHO:

NBC Sports - Scott Hallenbeck, CEO and Executive Director of USA Football

NCAA.org - Jacqie McWilliams Parker, chair of the Committee on Access, Opportunity and Impact and Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association commissioner

NCAA.org - Marion Terenzio, chair of the Committee on Access, Opportunity and Impact Emerging Sport Subcommittee and president at SUNY Cobleskill

NCAA.org - Izell Reese, founder and CEO of RCX Sports

NCAA.org - Brian Flinn, NFL senior vice president of global flag football

NCAA.org - Akeylah James, a flag football student-athlete at Winston-Salem State

WHAT:

NBC Sports - The NCAA’s Committee on Access, Opportunity, and Impact voted to recommend adding a National Collegiate Flag Football Championship for Divisions I, II, and III.

NCAA.org - The first championship is projected to occur in spring 2028.

NCAA.org - The recommendation requires at least 40 schools to sponsor flag football at a varsity level.

NCAA.org - Over 100 schools are planning to compete in flag football during the next academic year.

NCAA.org - The NCAA will hold its first acrobatics and tumbling and stunt championships during the 2026-27 school year.

WHERE:

NBC Sports - The NCAA is a national organization in the United States overseeing collegiate athletics.

NCAA.org - The first flag football championship is projected to take place in Los Angeles during the 2028 Olympics.

WHEN:

NCAA.org - Each division is expected to review the recommendation and potentially sponsor a proposal by July 1.

NCAA.org - Divisions are expected to vote on proposals in January 2027.

NCAA.org - The NCAA Women's Flag Football Committee is expected to begin its work in January 2027.

WHY:

NBC Sports - The recommendation aims to grow participation and competitive opportunities for women's sports across the NCAA.

NCAA.org - The growth of women's flag football reflects the passion of athletes, coaches, and administrators for creating more opportunities for female athletes.

HOW:

NCAA.org - RCX Sports and USA Football submitted the application for flag football to join the emerging sports program earlier in the year.

NCAA.org - The NCAA's Emerging Sports for Women program aims to expand women's sports participation and competitive opportunities.

(UPDATED May 20, 2026 13:56 UTC)

In a significant move for women's athletics, the NCAA’s Committee on Access, Opportunity, and Impact has recommended the addition of a National Collegiate Flag Football Championship for Divisions I, II, and III, with the first championship projected to take place in Los Angeles during the 2028 Olympics. To move forward, at least 40 schools must sponsor flag football at a varsity level, and over 100 schools are already planning to compete in the sport during the next academic year. Divisions are expected to review this recommendation and potentially sponsor a proposal by July 1, with votes on proposals scheduled for January 2027, as the NCAA aims to enhance participation and competitive opportunities for female athletes.