Eastern Michigan to add women's flag football as varsity sport
The Eagles flag team is expected to start competition in spring 2027.
Are you ready for flag football #MACtion?
Eastern Michigan University announced their intention to create a varsity women's flag football program on Thursday afternoon, with the sport estimated to officially join EMU's portfolio of sponsored sports in spring 2027.
"Today marks a significant moment for Eastern Michigan Athletics and for women's sports," Eastern Michigan athletic director Scott Wetherbee said via press release. "Women's flag football is one of the fastest-growing sports in the nation, and its addition reflects our commitment to creating new opportunities for student-athletes at EMU. With the sport set to take center stage at the 2028 Olympic Games, we are proud to help lead its growth and to build a program our campus and community will embrace."
Flag football will be EMU's 14th varsity women's sport, and 21st overall. It will join women's lightweight rowing, which starts late 2026/early 2027, as a new sport in the upcoming seasons.
The NCAA officially tabbed flag football as "an Emerging Sport for Women" in January, giving the sport the fast track to adoption at the Division I level. To reach championship status, at least 40 NCAA members must announce their intent to establish programs. The NCAA estimated in 2025 approximately 60 programs would apply to add the sport by spring 2026.
Flag football is officially defined as a non-contact sport played on an 80-by-40-yard field, with a 7-on-7 set-up. Each player wears a belt with two detachable flags and are "downed" if one is snatched off. As in other gridiron codes, a touchdown is scored as six points, with point after plays counting for either one or two points.
As of publication, over 200 teams at both the club and varsity levels are expected to compete this upcoming season, with member programs at all three divisions of the NCAA, the NAIA and JUCO levels. 62 NCAA Division I members currently host either a club or varsity flag football team.
(Fellow full MAC members Bowling Green and Buffalo both have club flag football teams as of publication. Neither club plays at a varsity level.)
The NCAA will host its inaugural flag football collegiate championship event, the Fiesta Bowl Flag Football Classic, from April 18-19, 2026 at Arizona State University, with eight teams set to participate.
A national search for a head coach and staff will begin effectively immediately.
