UNA starting new women’s flag football program in 2026
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Flag football continues to expand across the country and especially right here in Alabama.
On Tuesday, the University of North Alabama announced it would be introducing flag football as the newest official team of the athletics department. The addition will mean UNA expands to 19 total athletic programs.
UNA becomes the second Division I school in Alabama to add women’s flag football, joining Alabama State who announced the sport in 2024-25. The Lions are among the first six schools to announce women’s flag football as a sponsored varsity sport at the Division I level along with future United Athletic Conference opponent UT Arlington, Mount St. Mary’s, LIU and Mercyhurst.
As an early adopter of the sport, UNA hopes to establish itself as a leader in one of the fastest-growing sports in the country.
“This announcement is a celebration of momentum made possible by a community that has invested boldly in our athletic facilities and future over the past few years. That investment is now unlocking new avenues for growth as we activate these spaces to elevate the experience of current student-athletes and create additional opportunities for future Lions. With the addition of women’s flag football, UNA is not just expanding — we’re leading. We’re at the forefront of a rapidly growing sport in our region, and this move continues our trajectory of innovation, opportunity and competitive excellence.”
Dr. Josh Looney, UNA Director of Athletics
This marks the first sport expansion for UNA since 2018 — the first year of the Division I era.
North Alabama flag football
In February 2025, women’s flag football was formally recommended for inclusion in the NCAA’s Emerging Sports for Women program, with championship sport status anticipated by 2027 or 2028.
More than 130 Alabama high schools now sponsor the sport and the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) added flag football to the Super 7 State Football Championships in recent years.
Neighboring states of Florida, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee also sponsor sanctioned high school state championships. With expected growth at the collegiate level, women’s flag football is set to make its Olympics debut at the 2028 games.
The sport is experiencing rapid growth in the Southeast region, as eight Alabama community colleges have recently added women’s flag football programs.
UNA said it will start a national search for the program’s first head coach this fall.
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