NEW ROCHELLE, NY - Iona University Athletics has announced the addition of women's flag football as its 27th varsity sport, with the program set to begin competition in the 2027-28 academic year. The addition expands opportunities for female student-athletes amid the sport's rapid growth nationwide and complements Iona's existing club flag football program.
 
"We are incredibly excited to add women's varsity flag football to Iona's growing portfolio of Division I athletic programs," said Matt Glovaski, Director of Athletics. "As one of the fastest-growing sports at the youth and high school levels, flag football presents tremendous opportunity and potential at the collegiate level."


"With the addition of our Bronxville campus, this program is a natural fit within our existing varsity offerings and reflects our continued commitment to expanding opportunities for student-athletes," Glovaski added. "We look forward to building a competitive program and welcoming our inaugural class of student-athletes to campus in the fall of 2027."
 

A SPORT ON THE RISE

Women's flag football is experiencing significant growth across the United States, from youth leagues and high school competition to collegiate athletics. The sport is also preparing for its Olympic debut at the 2028 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
 
According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, girls' flag football participation reached 102,360 student-athletes nationally in 2025-26, an increase of 48.7% from the previous year. The number of schools reporting participation rose from 2,736 to 3,990 during the same period, underscoring the sport's expanding reach among young women.
 
The collegiate landscape is growing alongside that momentum. In January 2026, the NCAA added women's flag football to its Emerging Sports for Women program, creating a pathway toward potential NCAA championship status. At least 40 NCAA institutions planned to sponsor varsity women's flag football for the 2025-26 academic year, with additional programs anticipated.
 
In May 2026, the NCAA took another step toward establishing a national collegiate championship by recommending legislation across all three divisions. Pending approval, the first NCAA championship could take place in spring 2028.
 

CONTINUED GROWTH OF IONA ATHLETICS

The addition of women's flag football marks the latest step in Iona University's continued investment in its athletics program. In recent years, the Gaels have added men's lacrosse and women's acrobatics and tumbling, introduced women's golf, and reinstated men's and women's tennis for the 2026-27 academic year.
 
These additions reflect the University's commitment to enhancing the student experience and broadening opportunities for student-athletes. With the introduction of women's flag football, Iona will sponsor 27 varsity sports and serve nearly 600 student-athletes across its programs.
 

CLUB AND VARSITY PROGRAMS

Iona's varsity women's flag football program will complement the University's established club team, which enters its second year of competition in 2026-27. The two programs will provide distinct opportunities for student-athletes to participate in flag football at Iona, with the new varsity team set to begin intercollegiate competition in fall 2027.
 
Additional details regarding coaching, recruiting and the varsity program's inaugural season will be announced at a later date.
 

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