NEW HAVEN, Conn. (August 19, 2025) – Five Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference member institutions plan to offer women’s flag football as a varsity intercollegiate sport by the 2026-27 academic year.

One of the fastest-growing sports in the country, women’s flag football was sponsored by at least 65 NCAA schools at either the varsity or club level in 2025, including Holy Family University of the CACC. Chestnut Hill College is scheduled to compete in 2026, with Caldwell University, Goldey-Beacom College and Post University slated to play varsity schedules during the 2027 campaign.

“Women’s flag football is a great sport for competitors and spectators and will be a brilliant addition at the intercollegiate level,” said CACC Commissioner Dan Mara. “There is no doubt it is one of the fast-growing women’s sports in the United States. We are encouraged that five CACC members have added the sport and believe there will be more in the near future. The CACC is excited about the possibility of hosting our first flag football championship in 2027.”

Flag football, which competes in the spring athletic season, has been recommended by the NCAA Committee on Women’s Athletics to be added to the NCAA Emerging Sports for Women Program. The sport has also been added to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

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.