SACRAMENTO – Flag football is coming to Sacramento State and will become the school's 22nd intercollegiate sport. Beginning in the fall of 2026-27, women's flag football will operate as a club sport with the plan to transition the program to an NCAA Div. I sport in 2027-28.

As of summer of 2026, there are over 75 colleges that will compete in women's flag football at the NCAA or club level. Sacramento State will become the eighth program in California to add a team.

Women's flag football is the fastest-growing high school sport in California, with participation up 84% year-over-year according to the California Interscholastic Federation. Considering the substantial interest, both at the youth and collegiate levels, as well as the NCAA's designation of flag football as part of its Emerging Sports for Women program earlier this year, Sacramento State is proud to be a leader in supporting the initiative for California students. The move aligns with the University's broader strategic initiative to raise the national profile of the entire Hornet Athletics program and serve students across interests.

"We are ecstatic to announce the addition of a women's flag football team," Director of Athletics Mark Orr said. "At Sacramento State, we are inspired to provide opportunities for our current and prospective students to fulfill their goals and pursue their passions while enrolled at our institution. The addition of a women's flag football team is in direct response to demonstrated interest from young women on campus who want to compete on the field as the sport grows in popularity across the state and across the country." 

Sacramento State football recently hosted its first high school girls flag football camp, which saw 24 teams from across Northern California come to campus. The event showcased the significant local interest in the emerging sport.

"There are girls all across California who found a love of playing this game and never had a place to take it to the college level, and the demand has always been here," said Sacramento State student Raia Brown, who has spearheaded a petition to add flag football to campus. "Sacramento State adding flag football opens the door for all women to showcase their skills, compete, and be a part of the future in a sport that's exploding nationwide and making its debut in the 2028 Olympics. We're not catching up to the growth, we're helping lead it, and I'm honored to be allowed by President Wood and Mark Orr to spearhead this monumental effort."

The addition of women's flag football coincides with the sport's Olympic debut at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The NFL has also voted to financially support the development of a professional flag football league. All 32 NFL teams have invested in youth flag football initiatives in their home markets to help strengthen the growth of the sport.

The NCAA Committee on Access, Opportunity and Impact recently voted to recommend that Divisions I, II and III add a national collegiate flag football championship beginning as early as the spring  2028. The NCAA requires that a sport  have at least 40 schools sponsoring it at the varsity level and meet minimum content and participation requirements to be considered for NCAA championship status. That number should be easily reached in the next 12 months, as more than 100 schools  plan to compete during the next academic year, according to the NCAA.

FAQs:

When will the first season be played?

The inaugural club season will begin in the 2026-27 academic year, with plans to transition to NCAA Div. I in 2027-28.

How long is a flag football season?

Flag football is played in the spring, with a minimum of 12 regular-season games, along with potential postseason competition.

Will this be an NCAA Div. I sport at Sacramento State? Will Sacramento State offer athletic scholarships?

Flag football will play its first season at Sacramento State as a club sport.  Sacramento State plans to elevate flag football to an NCAA Div. I program for the 2027-28 academic year.

Once elevated to an NCAA Div. I sport for 2027-28, athletic scholarships may be awarded. All flag football team members will have the same access and support as all NCAA Div. I Hornet student-athletes.

How will you select a head coach? When will the search begin?

Sacramento State Athletics Department will conduct a national search for the head coach, commencing this summer beginning immediately.

Where will the team play and train?

The team will compete on campus. The size of a flag football field allows competition to take place on several existing Sacramento State facilities.

What schools are the team expected to play?

Sacramento State will face other club programs during its first season of competition. As more universities add flag football as an NCAA varsity program, it will create the need for NCAA conferences throughout the country.

How many players are on a roster, and when will the roster be filled?

The club team roster will feature a minimum of 15 players. When the team moves to NCAA Div. I status, the roster will increase to 20-25 players.

How is the team funded? 

The first season, the program will be funded as all club sports on campus are through student club and recreation resources.  In 2027-28, the program will be funded through the Department of Athletics budget, NCAA sports sponsorship revenue, philanthropic gifts and grants, and corporate partnerships.

What is the size of the playing field?
The playing field for flag football is 80 by 40 yards.

What are the playing rules?
Games consist of four, 12-minute quarters. Players wear flag belts with sockets and two pop-up flags on either side of their hips. Teams score 6 points for a touchdown, and after a TD can gain an extra one or two points with a set play from the 5 or 10-yard line.