Conference Carolinas announced today the addition of women’s flag football as a conference-sponsored sport starting in 2025-26.
Conference Carolinas is the first NCAA Division I or II conference to sponsor women’s flag football, and second NCAA conference, joining Division III’s Atlantic East.
The league will have at least six institutions in the inaugural season.
Conference member Emmanuel University, who has already announced the addition of women’s flag football, will be joined by Chowan, new member Ferrum, King, Lees-McRae and Mount Olive. Inaugural competition will take place in the spring of 2026.
“Conference Carolinas is excited to lead the way and become the first NCAA Division II conference to sponsor women’s flag football,” Conference Carolinas Commissioner Chris Colvin said. “With significant support from the National Football League (NFL), the sport is growing at the youth, high school, and collegiate levels. We are excited to be on the front lines of giving females across the country another phenomenal competitive opportunity.”
The conference’s addition of women’s flag football has been coordinated with the National Football League (NFL) and RCX Sports.
“This is a pivotal moment in women’s college flag football,” said Stephanie Kwok, NFL Vice President of Flag Football. “As the first NCAA Division II conference to sponsor women’s flag football, Conference Carolina is demonstrating the popularity of this fast-growing sport and playing a key role in expanding the pathways for women to play at an elite level.”
“At RCX Sports, we’re committed to breaking down barriers and making sports available for everyone, regardless of gender, economic background or geographic positioning,” said RCX Sports CEO Izell Reese. “The addition of female flag football to the Conference Carolinas athletic schedule is another major step forward for female athletes to continue chasing their dreams. RCX sports is proud to support Conference Carolinas in bringing this game to the Division II level.”
Local NFL clubs, the Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons, are also supportive of the growth of collegiate women’s flag in the Conference Carolinas footprint.
“The national growth of women’s flag football is providing new access and opportunities in the sport for women and girls at the youth, high school and collegiate levels. The Carolina Panthers congratulate Conference Carolinas and recognize this significant step forward for the sport,” said Carolina Panthers director of Community Relations Riley Fields. “Through its commitment, Conference Carolinas is creating new educational opportunity pathways for women and their ability to compete at the collegiate level.”
“We are proud to support the addition of women’s flag football as an official sport within Conference Carolinas,” said Atlanta Falcons President Greg Beadles. “The Falcons have long been committed to recognizing the significance of sports for young athletes, especially women. Seeing our efforts make an impact at both the high school and collegiate levels is incredibly rewarding. We are excited to continue our journey in promoting the growth of girls’ flag football and look forward to the positive impact this will have on the athletes and the communities they represent.”
In 2024-25, it is anticipated that 10 NCAA institutions will be competing at the varsity level across all three divisions. At the NAIA level, there are 24 institutions currently participating women’s flag football and seven at the NJCAA level.
At the high school level, 11 states currently sanction women’s flag football, including Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia and Florida while North Carolina has pilot programs and South Carolina has shown interest. Over the last five years, participation in high school girls flag football has grown by nearly 15 percent and nearly 18 percent for ages 6-17.
Women’s flag football is expected to be considered by the NCAA as an emerging sport in the next year.
“We are excited about the opportunity to be a part of an emerging sport that is going to add another layer to the great athletic tradition we have here at Ferrum College,” said Cleive Adams, Ferrum College Director of Athletics. “Being a part of one the first official Division II leagues that sponsor women’s flag and the first of its kind in the state of Virginia will provide Ferrum College with an opportunity to tap into a sport population that is growing rapidly in our home state as well as neighboring states along the east coast.”
The average roster size is around 25 players that will play 7-on-7. A contest will consist of four 12-minute quarters on a field that is 80×40 yards. The offense has four downs to cross each 20-yard line for a first down with an option to punt at third down. If unsuccessful, teams surrender possession to their opponent.
Teams score six points for a touchdown and can gain an extra one or two points for a set play from the five- or 10-yard lines. Players will wear tightly fixed flag belts with sockets and two pop flags on either side of their hips.
The NFL is a huge supporter of the growth of flag football. Numerous NFL facilities and stadiums have been utilized for competitions and clinics while several players have attended and engaged with athletes to grow the sport. Across the country this past year, more than 700,000 youth took part in NFL FLAG leagues, with nearly 500,000 of those athletes being female, and 11 states have now sanctioned girls flag football as championship sports, thanks to the work of the NFL and RCX Sports, the official operator of NFL FLAG.
Carolinas Conference
