JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Edward Waters University continues to expand opportunities for women in athletics as EWU officials have officially announced the addition of women's flag football, with the program set to begin competition during the 2026–2027 athletic year.
The introduction of women's flag football marks another major milestone for the University's athletic department, increasing Edward Waters' NCAA Division II offerings to more than 17 varsity sports and reinforcing the institution's commitment to growth, inclusion, and student-athlete development.
The launch comes at a time when women's flag football is experiencing unprecedented national momentum. The sport has seen rapid expansion at both the high school and collegiate levels, with more than 300 teams expected to compete across the country during the 2026–2027 academic year. Increased participation and student interest have fueled its rise as one of the fastest-growing emerging sports in the nation.
Women's flag football is also set to reach the global stage, as the sport prepares to make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Summer Games — another sign of its accelerating popularity and long-term future.
Earlier this year, in January 2026, the NCAA took a significant step forward by voting to add women's flag football to its Emerging Sports for Women program. The designation signals growing institutional support and moves the sport closer to full NCAA championship recognition in the coming years.
For Edward Waters, the addition of women's flag football reflects the University's strategic vision of enhancing athletic opportunities while aligning with national trends in collegiate sports. The new program is expected to provide additional competitive pathways for female student-athletes and further strengthen EWU's presence within NCAA Division II athletics.
With the sport's continued rise, Olympic visibility on the horizon, and NCAA backing through the Emerging Sports for Women initiative, the Lady Tigers' newest program is poised to make an immediate impact when it takes the field in the 2026–2027 season.
More details regarding coaching staff, recruiting, and scheduling will be announced at a later date as Edward Waters prepares to usher in a new era of competition with the addition of women's flag football.
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