NEW HAVEN, Conn. (November 3, 2025) – Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference members University of Bridgeport and Dominican University New York have announced their intentions to add women’s flag football to their varsity intercollegiate offerings for the 2026-27 academic year. The CACC now expects to have seven of its schools offer the sport within the next two years.

Women’s flag football, which competes in the spring athletics season, is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country. It has been recommended for the NCAA Emerging Sports for Women program, with a vote pending in January 2026. Should that measure pass, the CACC would be recognized as an official NCAA Division II women’s flag football conference.

CACC member Holy Family University played its inaugural season of women’s flag football in 2025, and Chestnut Hill College is scheduled to compete this season. Caldwell University, Goldey-Beacom College and Post University have already announced their intentions to field women’s flag football teams during the 2027 season.  

“The emergence of women’s flag football in the CACC mirrors its rapid growth nationally,” said CACC commissioner Dan Mara. “With seven of our members now committed to sponsor the sport, we look forward to hosting our first CACC women’s flag football championship in 2027.”

Flag football is a non-contact sport played with seven players on each side of an 80-yard field.

Founded in 1961, the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference has been affiliated with NCAA Division II for 20 years. Conference institutions compete for championships in 17 sports – seven for men, nine for women, and one co-ed. The CACC contains 11 full members in Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Membership includes the University of Bridgeport, Caldwell University, Chestnut Hill College, Dominican University New York, Felician University, Georgian Court University, Goldey-Beacom College, Holy Family University, Post University, Thomas Jefferson University, and Wilmington University.