The Empire 8 is excited to announce the addition of women’s flag football as a conference-sponsored championship sport for the 2025-26 season in collaboration with the National Football League (NFL) and RCX Sports, the official operator of NFL Flag.
“Empire 8 is ecstatic to sponsor women’s flag football as our 28th conference sport,” said Empire 8 Executive Director Chuck Mitrano. “The student-athletes in our geographic region are passionate about the emergence of flag football and Empire 8 is excited to support the growth and expansion of high-quality opportunities to women who wish to compete at the collegiate level. We thrive on providing all-around exceptional student-athlete experiences and are excited to collaborate with NFL Flag, RCX Sports, the Buffalo Bills, New York Jets and New York Giants to elevate this opportunity for women nationally.”
Empire 8 becomes the third Division III conference to announce its sponsorship of women’s flag football and the fifth among all NCAA divisions. The league currently will include SUNY Brockport, Elmira College, Hartwick College, SUNY Geneseo, and Russell Sage College in 25-26. Inaugural competition will take place in the spring of 2026 with a championship to be awarded along with individual honors and all-conference selections.
The Empire 8’s addition of women’s flag football has been coordinated with the National Football League (NFL) and RCX Sports.
“We are thrilled that the Empire 8 Conference is sponsoring women’s flag football as a college varsity sport,” said Stephanie Kwok, NFL Vice President of Flag Football. “Female participation in flag football has surged over the last few years, with the number of high school athletes doubling last year. There is such deep talent at the high school and club level, and we’re grateful to conferences like the Empire 8 for leading the way in providing opportunities for student-athletes to continue competing at the collegiate level – and potentially beyond, with flag football in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.”
“The Empire 8 Athletic Conference’s decision to add women’s flag football marks an exciting milestone for the game and a pivotal step forward for gender equity in athletics,” said Izell Reese, CEO of RCX Sports. “At RCX Sports and through the RCX Foundation, we’ve championed the ‘Females in Flag’ initiative because we know it empowers female athletes and expands opportunities for competition at all levels. By making the sport more accessible and creating pathways for young women interested in football, this initiative will inspire the next generation of athletes and further validate flag football as one of the fastest-growing sports on college campuses.”
Local NFL clubs, the Buffalo Bills, New York Giants, and New York Jets, are also supportive of the growth of collegiate women’s flag in the Empire 8/New York State footprint.
“The Buffalo Bills have been working for years to provide grant support, donate equipment and create a pathway for girls to participate in flag football representing their middle schools and high schools throughout Western and Central New York,” said Preston Teague, Buffalo Bills Sr. Director of Youth Football and Programs. “The Empire 8 Conference’s launch of Women’s Flag Football as a championship sport will provide an amazing opportunity for current and future players to continue their careers. Congratulations to these institutions on this historic announcement and thank you for your leadership in growing the game.”
The average roster size is around 25 players that will play 7-on-7. A contest will consist of four 12-minute quarters on a field that is 80×40 yards. The offense has four downs to cross each 20-yard line for a first down with an option to punt at third down. If unsuccessful, teams surrender possession to their opponent.
Teams score six points for a touchdown and can gain an extra one or two points for a set play from the five- or 10-yard lines. Players will wear tightly fixed flag belts with sockets and two pop flags on either side of their hips.
The NFL has been a strong advocate for the growth of flag football domestically and internationally. The League and NFL Clubs have supported the growth by offering facilities and stadiums to be utilized for competitions and clinics while several NFL Legends and active players have attended and engaged with athletes to grow the sport. Across the country, more than three million youth participate in flag football with over 500,000 female participants. Last year, over 750,000 youth participated in NFL Flag which is operated by RCX Sports. In high school, following the support of the NFL, RCX Sports, and the National Federation of State High School Associations, 15 states have agreed to sanction girls flag football as a varsity sport which is key to develop the game at the collegiate level.
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