UT Southern Women's Flag Football

The University of Tennessee Southern has announced plans to add intercollegiate women’s flag football to its athletic program beginning in Fall 2026 (pending final Title 9 approval),

expanding the university’s athletics portfolio to 20 varsity sports.

Women’s flag football is among the fastest-growing sports in the United States, and UT Southern’s addition of the sport underscores the university’s commitment to providing innovative

and inclusive athletic opportunities for students.

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has partnered with NFL FLAG to expand women’s flag football nationwide, providing funding, training, and program

support for member institutions.

By joining NAIA-sanctioned competition, UT Southern athletes will have the opportunity to compete against top talent from across the country and showcase their skills on a national stage.

The timing of UT Southern’s announcement aligns with a pivotal development in Tennessee athletics: the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) voted in June 2025 to recognize women’s flag football as an official state championship sport. This milestone creates a clear pathway for female

athletes to continue their participation at the collegiate level.

As the only University of Tennessee campus and just the second four-year institution in the state to offer the sport, UT Southern continues to lead the way in fostering opportunity, competition, and growth for student-athletes.