Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan To Add Women’s Flag Football In 2027
4/16/2026 3:00:00 PM | General, Flag Football
EMU expands to 21 varsity sports as the NCAA emerging sport gains momentum
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YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — Eastern Michigan University announced today, April 16, the addition of women's flag football as an intercollegiate varsity sport, expanding its commitment to growth and opportunity within the Department of Athletics. The announcement follows the NCAA's January 2026 designation of women's flag football as an Emerging Sport for Women.
With the addition, Eastern Michigan will sponsor 21 varsity programs, including 14 women's teams. Women's flag football joins recent additions, including lacrosse, which began competition in 2022-23, and women's lightweight rowing, set to begin in 2026-27.
The Eagles will begin flag football competition in the spring of 2027. A national search for a head coach will begin immediately, with roster construction to follow.
"Today marks a significant moment for Eastern Michigan Athletics and for women's sports," said EMU Vice President/Director of Athletics Scott Wetherbee. "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."
"Eastern Michigan's future is built on purpose, belonging, and opportunity," added EMU President Dr. Brendan Kelly. "The addition of women's flag football reflects the kind of strategic growth we are pursuing across the University, growth that welcomes more students into our Eastern community, strengthens alignment across campus, and extends EMU's impact throughout Michigan. This is a proud moment for our institution, and a clear example of how we are investing in new pathways for student success."
The sport's growth spans every level of competition. More than 20 million athletes play flag football worldwide, including 3.6 million youth participants in the United States between the ages of six and 17. The sport will make its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Games, further accelerating global visibility.
At the collegiate level, NCAA data from summer 2025 indicated that at least 40 schools planned to sponsor the sport, with projections reaching as many as 60 programs. Growth at the high school level has also surged. During the current academic year, 69,000 girls are participating, up from 11,000 in 2018-19, marking an average annual increase of 35 percent.
As an NCAA Emerging Sport, women's flag football is positioned to pursue championship status, with the potential for the first NCAA championship as early as spring 2028. The NCAA will host its inaugural collegiate championship event, the Fiesta Bowl Flag Football Classic, April 18-19 at Arizona State University.
Growth at the grassroots and professional levels also continues to accelerate. Flag football is now sanctioned at the high school level in 38 states. All 32 NFL teams support youth flag football initiatives in their markets, and league ownership has approved investment to develop a professional flag football league.
To be considered for NCAA championship status, a sport in the Emerging Sports for Women program must reach at least 40 varsity programs and meet competition and participation thresholds. Once those benchmarks are met, the NCAA governance process begins to establish a championship structure.
Flag football is a 7-on-7, non-contact sport played on an 80-by-40-yard field. Games consist of four 12-minute quarters. Players wear flag belts with two detachable flags and must cease forward motion when an opponent removes one of the flags. Teams score six points for a touchdown, with one or two-point conversion opportunities following each score.
More information on Eastern Michigan women's flag football, including coaching staff updates and schedule details, will be announced as they become available.
About Eastern Michigan University Athletics
Eastern Michigan University has been a member of the Mid-American Conference since 1971 and stands as one of the league's most successful programs. EMU has captured 159 MAC team championships, the most of any current member during that span. A representative from Eastern Michigan has competed in every Summer Olympics since 1960. Since 1932, EMU has claimed 15 team national championships and 55 individual national titles. For more information, visit EMUEagles.com.
About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern Michigan University is the second-oldest public university in Michigan. EMU serves more than 14,000 students across more than 300 academic programs through its Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, Engineering and Technology, Health and Human Services, and its Graduate School. The University is recognized for excellence, diversity, and its commitment to applied learning. For more information, visit emich.edu.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — Eastern Michigan University announced today, April 16, the addition of women's flag football as an intercollegiate varsity sport, expanding its commitment to growth and opportunity within the Department of Athletics. The announcement follows the NCAA's January 2026 designation of women's flag football as an Emerging Sport for Women.
With the addition, Eastern Michigan will sponsor 21 varsity programs, including 14 women's teams. Women's flag football joins recent additions, including lacrosse, which began competition in 2022-23, and women's lightweight rowing, set to begin in 2026-27.
The Eagles will begin flag football competition in the spring of 2027. A national search for a head coach will begin immediately, with roster construction to follow.
"Today marks a significant moment for Eastern Michigan Athletics and for women's sports," said EMU Vice President/Director of Athletics Scott Wetherbee. "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."
"Eastern Michigan's future is built on purpose, belonging, and opportunity," added EMU President Dr. Brendan Kelly. "The addition of women's flag football reflects the kind of strategic growth we are pursuing across the University, growth that welcomes more students into our Eastern community, strengthens alignment across campus, and extends EMU's impact throughout Michigan. This is a proud moment for our institution, and a clear example of how we are investing in new pathways for student success."
The sport's growth spans every level of competition. More than 20 million athletes play flag football worldwide, including 3.6 million youth participants in the United States between the ages of six and 17. The sport will make its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Games, further accelerating global visibility.
At the collegiate level, NCAA data from summer 2025 indicated that at least 40 schools planned to sponsor the sport, with projections reaching as many as 60 programs. Growth at the high school level has also surged. During the current academic year, 69,000 girls are participating, up from 11,000 in 2018-19, marking an average annual increase of 35 percent.
As an NCAA Emerging Sport, women's flag football is positioned to pursue championship status, with the potential for the first NCAA championship as early as spring 2028. The NCAA will host its inaugural collegiate championship event, the Fiesta Bowl Flag Football Classic, April 18-19 at Arizona State University.
Growth at the grassroots and professional levels also continues to accelerate. Flag football is now sanctioned at the high school level in 38 states. All 32 NFL teams support youth flag football initiatives in their markets, and league ownership has approved investment to develop a professional flag football league.
To be considered for NCAA championship status, a sport in the Emerging Sports for Women program must reach at least 40 varsity programs and meet competition and participation thresholds. Once those benchmarks are met, the NCAA governance process begins to establish a championship structure.
Flag football is a 7-on-7, non-contact sport played on an 80-by-40-yard field. Games consist of four 12-minute quarters. Players wear flag belts with two detachable flags and must cease forward motion when an opponent removes one of the flags. Teams score six points for a touchdown, with one or two-point conversion opportunities following each score.
More information on Eastern Michigan women's flag football, including coaching staff updates and schedule details, will be announced as they become available.
About Eastern Michigan University Athletics
Eastern Michigan University has been a member of the Mid-American Conference since 1971 and stands as one of the league's most successful programs. EMU has captured 159 MAC team championships, the most of any current member during that span. A representative from Eastern Michigan has competed in every Summer Olympics since 1960. Since 1932, EMU has claimed 15 team national championships and 55 individual national titles. For more information, visit EMUEagles.com.
About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern Michigan University is the second-oldest public university in Michigan. EMU serves more than 14,000 students across more than 300 academic programs through its Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, Engineering and Technology, Health and Human Services, and its Graduate School. The University is recognized for excellence, diversity, and its commitment to applied learning. For more information, visit emich.edu.
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