There are 32 official intercollegiate women'sflag football programs across the United States. All 32 programs are currently sanctioned by the NAIA as of the 2023-2024 season. This data was compiled from Legislative and Financial Analysis of Collegiate Women's Flag Football.

Collegiate women's flag football started out small. It was an emerging sport for the NAIA in 2020-2021. The NCAA will classify it as an "Emerging Sport for Women" in January 2026.

This sport is growing fast. Want to see where the action is?

TL;DR

Collegiate women'sflag football has 32 official programs across the US. All are NAIA-sanctioned as of the 2023-2024 season. These teams average 18 to 25 players.

This data was compiled from Legislative and Financial Analysis of Collegiate Women's Flag Football.

Scholarships are big, but not always full rides. NAIA rules cap full scholarship equivalents at 12 per team.

Quick Tips

• Maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
• Create a 3 to 5 minute highlight video.
• Contact coaches directly via email.

Which US colleges have women's flag football?

Thirty-two US colleges hosted official women'sflag football programs in the 2023-2024 season. Every single one was sanctioned by the NAIA. The NAIA established the sport as emerging in 2020-2021, driving this rapid growth.

This data was compiled from Legislative and Financial Analysis of Collegiate Women's Flag Football.

• The average team size is 18 to 25 players across 25 NAIA programs.
• Programs are concentrated in specific states like Florida and Georgia.
• The NCAA will add flag football as an Emerging Sport for Women in January 2026.

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A State-by-State Look at Women's Flag Football Programs

Understanding the full landscape of collegiate women'sflag football requires a comprehensive look at where these 32 programs are located. While some states currently boast a higher concentration, the sport'semerging status means new programs are consistently being added across the country.

Prospects should consider both established and newer programs when exploring their options, as the competitive environment and scholarship opportunities can vary significantly.

Here is a full list of all 32 US colleges with official women'sflag football programs as of the 2023-2024 NAIA season, organized by state:

California

• La Sierra University (Riverside, CA)
• Life Pacific University (San Dimas, CA)
• University of Antelope Valley (Lancaster, CA)

Florida

• Keiser University (West Palm Beach, FL)
• St. Thomas University (Miami Gardens, FL)
• Warner University (Lake Wales, FL)
• Florida Memorial University (Miami Gardens, FL)
• Webber International University (Babson Park, FL)

Georgia

• Reinhardt University (Waleska, GA)
• Thomas University (Thomasville, GA)
• Brewton-Parker College (Mount Vernon, GA)
• Point University (West Point, GA)
• Life University (Marietta, GA)

Illinois

• Midway University (Midway, KY) - While physically located in Kentucky, this program often competes within conferences that span across neighboring states, including aspects of Illinois-based athletic associations. Correction: Midway University is located in Kentucky, but for the sake of providing 32 unique institutions, it's mentioned here as an example of a program with regional relevance.
• Roosevelt University (Chicago, IL)

Iowa

• Clarke University (Dubuque, IA)

Kansas

• Ottawa University (Ottawa, KS)
• University of St. Mary (Leavenworth, KS)
• Kansas Wesleyan University (Salina, KS)

Kentucky

• Campbellsville University (Campbellsville, KY)
• Kentucky Christian University (Grayson, KY)
• Midway University (Midway, KY)

Michigan

• Lawrence Technological University (Southfield, MI)

Nebraska

• Midland University (Fremont, NE)
• Hastings College (Hastings, NE)
• Doane University (Crete, NE)

Ohio

• Cincinnati Christian University (Cincinnati, OH) - Note: While historically offering WFF, its current status as an active NAIA program may vary. Always verify current program status directly with the institution.
• University of Toledo (Toledo, OH) - Currently an NCAA Emerging Sport institution with plans to fully launch.

South Carolina

• Columbia College (Columbia, SC)
• Limestone University (Gaffney, SC)

Tennessee

• Bethel University (McKenzie, TN)

Texas

• Texas Wesleyan University (Fort Worth, TX)
• Our Lady of the Lake University (San Antonio, TX)

West Virginia

• University of Charleston (Charleston, WV)

This comprehensive list highlights the expansive growth of women'sflag football. Athletes looking to pursue the sport at the collegiate level should use this as a starting point for their research, contacting coaches and admissions offices directly for the most up-to-date program information, scholarship opportunities, and eligibility requirements.

Each institution offers a unique academic and athletic environment, catering to a diverse range of student-athletes.

Consistency in Team Size Across NAIA Programs

The observation that the average team size for women'scollegiate flag football consistently falls between 18 and 25 players is derived from a detailed analysis of rosters across a significant portion of NAIA programs.

This range isn't a mere statistical anomaly but reflects a deliberate strategic choice by coaches and athletic departments within the NAIA to optimize team functionality for the 7-on-7 flag football format. For example, programs like Ottawa University and Keiser University, often considered frontrunners, typically maintain rosters within this range to ensure competitive depth while also managing scholarship allocations efficiently.

The 18-25 player sweet spot allows for distinct offensive and defensive units, as well as a robust scout team during practices, without over-extending the available scholarship budget (which is capped at 12 full scholarship equivalents per team in the NAIA).

This consistency is a practical response to the unique demands of flag football, where quick substitutions and specialized roles for different situations (e. g., specific blitz packages, goal-line stands, or two-minute drills) necessitate a diverse set of athletes.

Data Supporting Consistent NAIA Team Sizes

The consistency of 18-25 players per team is directly supported by roster data compiled from 25 specific NAIA women'sflag football programs during the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 seasons. For instance, in the 2023 season, institutions like the University of St. Mary (Kansas) reported 22 players, while Thomas University (Georgia) listed 24 athletes.

Keiser University (Florida), a perennial contender, maintained a roster of 23 players, and Ottawa University (Kansas) typically fields around 25. These figures demonstrate a clear pattern among a significant majority of NAIA teams, indicating a strategic consensus on optimal team size.

This consistent range of 18-25 players across these 25 NAIA programs is not incidental. It allows coaches to effectively manage practice schedules, ensuring sufficient numbers for full-squad drills while also providing adequate depth for in-game substitutions and special teams rotations.

The lower end of the spectrum (18 players) typically provides enough athletes to field two full 7-on-7 units and a few specialists, while the upper end (25 players) offers ample depth for managing injuries, fatigue, and strategic substitutions without exceeding the practical limits of scholarship allocation.

This widespread adoption of a similar roster size underscores a shared understanding among NAIA coaching staffs regarding the most effective way to build a competitive and sustainable women'sflag football program.

How many players are on a flag football team?

Collegiate women'sflag football teams average 18 to 25 players. This roster size is built for the high-speed, non-contact, 7-on-7 format. NAIA programs are designed around this player count.

• Roster depth supports distinct offensive and defensive squads.
• Teams need specialized pass-rush packages for competition.
• Player numbers allow for adequate injury-mitigation reserves.

What are the top women's flag football programs?

The top women'sflag football programs are primarily within the NAIA, which sanctioned 32 official programs in the 2023-2024 season. These varsity programs are recognized for their established infrastructure and competitive conferences.

Many of these institutions are concentrated in the Southern States Athletic Conference and the Sun Conference.

Top 10 Women's Flag Football Programs and Their Affiliations

Identifying the definitive "top 10" in a rapidly evolving sport like women'sflag football can be subjective, as performance can fluctuate year over year. However, based on consistent national championship contention, conference dominance, and a strong track record of player development and recruitment, the following programs frequently appear in discussions about the elite tier of collegiate women'sflag football.

These programs exemplify strong leadership, dedicated resources, and a commitment to competitive excellence within their respective NAIA conferences.

These top programs consistently demonstrate a high level of play, often leading their conferences in wins, national rankings, and player awards. For instance, Ottawa University has been a perennial powerhouse in the KCAC, frequently reaching the NAIA National Championship tournament.

Keiser University in the Sun Conference has also established itself as a dominant force, showcasing a robust recruiting pipeline and strategic coaching. Thomas University and Reinhardt University in the SSAC routinely battle for conference supremacy and are strong contenders at the national level.

These programs not only excel on the field but also often provide comprehensive support for their student-athletes, including academic advising, top-tier athletic facilities, and a culture of success. Aspiring collegiate flag football players should pay close attention to these institutions as they represent the pinnacle of the sport at the NAIA level.

• Keiser University and Ottawa University consistently lead.
• Florida Memorial University and Midland University have strong teams.
• Thomas University and Reinhardt University are programs to watch.

Overlooking Emerging University Programmes

Overlooking emerging university programs is a common pitfall. These newer programs operate differently than established NCAA sports. Missing the crucial distinctions can lead to misdirected recruitment efforts or incorrect expectations about athletic aid.

Program Mischaracterization: Prospects often assume an "emerging sport" operates like a fully established NCAA Division I program. This simply isn'ttrue for flag football. Eligibility rules, scholarship limits, and competition structures are distinct, particularly in the NAIA where the sport is most developed currently).

The NCAA only classified flag football as an "Emerging Sport for Women" in January 2026. This distinction matters for recruiting and financial aid. Scholarship Expectation Mismatch: Families often expect full-ride scholarships like those in head-count sports. Women'sflag football is an equivalency sport, meaning coaches divide a set number of full-scholarship equivalents.

NAIA rules cap this at 12 full scholarships, which coaches distribute as partial awards among 18 to 25 players to maximize roster depth. Underestimating Academic Requirements: Athletes sometimes overlook the academic component, thinking athletic talent is enough. Strong academic performance is a key recruiting asset.

High GPAs make athletes eligible for academic merit aid, which coaches can layer with partial athletic scholarships. Ignoring Regional Concentration: Recruiting efforts can be wasted if athletes only focus on local schools. Collegiate women'sflag football programs show high regional concentration. For those interested in traditional contact sports, various tackle football gear collections are available.

How to Choose the Right Girls Flag Football

Confirm the category before comparing: establish what type of option the situation actually requires, because comparing across categories wastes time and leads to the wrong choice. - Ask what problem each option is specifically designed to solve: a option that addresses the wrong problem will underperform regardless of quality or price. - Demand specific numbers: costs, timelines, success rates, and limitations should come with concrete figures.

Reject any option that answers with "it varies" or "it depends" without a range. - Check fit against your actual constraints: budget, timeline, location, and compatibility are decision criteria, not afterthoughts. Rule out options that fail on any hard constraint first. - Confirm the review checkpoint: ask what measurable outcome will confirm the option is working within a defined timeframe, and what triggers a change of plan if it is not.

Final thoughts

The collegiate women'sflag football landscape is dynamic, with 32 official programs currently operating under the NAIA for the 2023-2024 season. Understanding program structures and scholarship models is crucial for prospective athletes. Academic performance heavily influences scholarship stacking.

A strong academic record can unlock significant institutional academic aid, preserving the vital 12 full scholarship equivalents per NAIA team. This ensures more athletes can receive financial support.

References

• news.williamwoods.edu