The Big 12 is Looking Into Adding Women’s Flag Football as an Official Sport

The Big 12 Conference may soon be adding a new sport to its growing portfolio, and it’s one that reflects the evolving landscape of football.

The conference is currently exploring the possibility of sponsoring women’s flag football as an official varsity sport, with a target start date of 2028. The plan would require a minimum of six participating programs and is being evaluated as part of the league’s broader partnership with the NFL.

Women’s flag football has seen rapid growth at the high school and collegiate levels in recent years, driven in large part by support from the NFL and increased nationwide participation. Several states have already sanctioned the sport at the high school level, and momentum continues to build toward wider collegiate adoption.

For the Big 12, this move would position the conference at the forefront of that expansion.

Adding women’s flag football would not only create new opportunities for student-athletes but also align with a broader push across college athletics to diversify sport offerings and expand access. It also presents a unique opportunity to tap into football’s popularity in a new and fast-growing format.

The NFL has been heavily invested in growing flag football in recent years, particularly on the women’s side, as part of its long-term strategy to expand the game globally and at the grassroots level. The Big 12 exploring this addition signals a potential bridge between that initiative and the college athletics space.

Of course, there are still hurdles to clear.

Programs would need to commit resources, build rosters, and establish infrastructure to support varsity-level competition. But with a 2028 timeline, there is runway for schools to evaluate feasibility and build toward implementation.

If it comes to fruition, the Big 12 could become one of the first major conferences to fully embrace women’s flag football at the collegiate level, a move that would reflect both innovation and forward-thinking leadership in the evolving world of college sports.