LATHAM, N.Y. - The United East Conference is excited to announce that women’s flag football will transition from club to varsity competition beginning in the 2025–26 academic year. This elevation marks the sport as the 21st officially sponsored varsity sport within the conference and reflects the growing interest and momentum around women’s flag football on college campuses.
Five United East member institutions—Cairn University, Cedar Crest College, Gallaudet University, Keystone College, and Penn State Harrisburg—have committed to fielding varsity programs in the inaugural season. These schools were instrumental in launching the sport during the spring 2025 semester as a club initiative and played a key role in setting the stage for its expansion. This past spring, the United East organized two playdays and a culminating end-of-season tournament that generated excitement across participating campuses.
Penn State Harrisburg Athletic Director Rahsaan Carlton praised the early success of the sport and the enthusiasm it generated. “The energy around women's flag football has been amazing. It was awesome to host our club season end-of-the-year tournament and see the excitement and enthusiasm up front and in person,” said Carlton. “After that day, I have absolutely no doubt that women's flag is here to stay and will continue to grow tremendously in the months and years to come. Our students cannot wait for varsity competition to begin this upcoming year.”
With increased institutional support and a foundation of student interest, women’s flag football is poised to thrive at the varsity level. The United East will coordinate a full regular-season schedule in 2025–26, culminating in the first official conference championship. The move aligns with a broader national trend, as women's flag football continues to gain traction across the collegiate landscape as part of the NCAA Emerging Sports for Women program.
INSIDE THE GAME
The average flag football 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 80x40 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.
LEADING THE CHARGE
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 13 states have now sanctioned girls high school flag football as championship sports, thanks to the work of the NFL and RCX Sports Foundation, the official operator of NFL FLAG.
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The United East boasts 15 NCAA Division III full member institutions which include: Cairn University, Cedar Crest College, Gallaudet University, Keystone College, Lancaster Bible College, Notre Dame of Maryland University, Penn College, Penn State Abington, Penn State Berks, Penn State Brandywine, Penn State Harrisburg, Rosemont College, St. Mary's College of Maryland, University of Valley Forge, and Wilson College. For more information, please visit gounitedeast.com.