Binghamton University Adds Women’s Flag Football to Varsity Sports

Binghamton University is about to shake things up in collegiate sports. They’re adding women’s flag football to their varsity lineup, which is actually the first new sport at the school in 25 years.

This move follows the NCAA’s recent decision to call flag football an Emerging Sport for Women. Schools all over the country are now being encouraged to add it to their athletic programs.

The first official season kicks off in spring 2028. Binghamton will join other schools in helping this fast-growing sport gain even more traction.

The Rise of Women’s Flag Football

Flag football’s popularity has exploded, with around 20 million players across the globe. Its debut in the 2028 Summer Olympics has only made it more visible and, honestly, a lot cooler.

All 32 NFL teams back youth flag football programs in their regions. In the U.S., more than 40 states—including New York—now have high school girls’ varsity flag football, which just shows how much the sport has caught on.

Flag Football’s Growing Presence in Collegiate Sports

Several Division I schools have already jumped in and announced women’s flag football programs. Nebraska and Charleston Southern stand out, and schools in the Northeast like LIU, FDU, Mercyhurst, Sacred Heart, and Saint Joseph’s are on board too.

Binghamton is expected to connect with these schools through an ECAC conference affiliation. That should cement flag football’s place in college athletics, at least in this region.

Binghamton University’s Commitment to Athletics

By adding women’s flag football, Binghamton will now offer 22 intercollegiate sports, split evenly between men’s and women’s programs. They’re clearly committed to gender equality in athletics, making sure student-athletes get a wide range of opportunities.

The last time Binghamton added a sport was back in 2001, when men’s and women’s lacrosse joined the roster during the school’s move to NCAA Division I and the America East Conference.

Preparing for the Inaugural Season

The university has a plan in place to get women’s flag football off the ground. They’ll start looking for a head coach and begin recruiting student-athletes to form a solid team.

Practice sessions and informal games might start as soon as spring 2027. That gives everyone plenty of time to get ready for the official season in spring 2028.

The Structure of Flag Football

Flag football is played 7-on-7 on an 80-by-40-yard field. Each game has four 12-minute quarters.

Players wear flag belts with two pop-up flags on their hips. The goal? Score touchdowns—each worth six points—with extra points available through conversions from the five-yard line (one point) or the ten-yard line (two points).

Facilities and Competitions

Binghamton’s women’s flag football team will use the Bearcats Sports Complex for practices and games. The East Field will get special flag football lines, so the team has a proper setup.

This spot already hosts soccer and lacrosse, so the new team will have access to some pretty good facilities. The season will run from January to May, with at least 12 games on the schedule.

Binghamton can jump right into postseason competition. The NCAA’s first flag football championship, the Fiesta Bowl Flag Football Classic, is set for April 18-19, 2026, at Arizona State. That’s a big stage for a sport that’s definitely on the rise.

Impact on the Local Community

Bringing women’s flag football to Binghamton University should have a real impact locally. In the Binghamton area, 17 Section IV schools—including Binghamton, Maine-Endwell, Union-Endicott, and Vestal—already play flag football.

Central New York is in on it too, with 12 Section III girls’ flag football teams active in 2025. Binghamton’s new program gives local high school athletes a way to keep playing the sport at the college level.

Future Prospects

Adding women’s flag football at Binghamton is part of a bigger push for more opportunities for female athletes. As the sport keeps gaining ground, it seems likely that more schools will follow suit.