U SPORTS to add women's flag football as pilot sport beginning in 2027-28
Photo Michael Scraper/Scrapes Creatives
Women’s flag football will become a pilot sport in U SPORTS beginning in the 2027-28 season, marking another step in the continued growth of the sport across Canada. U SPORTS made the announcement Wednesday, as part of its annual meetings in the Newfoundland capital.
The addition of women's flag football will increase the number of U SPORTS national championships to 24, including 13 women's championships, further expanding competitive opportunities for student-athletes across the country.
Women's flag football already has an established national collegiate championship structure in Canada. Since 2022, Football Canada has organized the Canadian Collegiate Flag Football Championship, providing a national competition for university and college programs. The 2026 championship featured 11 teams from across the country. Women’s flag football has been a varsity sport in the RSEQ since 2021, with eight teams currently participating.
The growth of flag football has been bolstered by the sport's inclusion in the Olympic program for the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles and increasing participation rates across Canada.
The sport becomes the second pilot sport in U SPORTS history, following the addition of men's and women's tennis in 2023-24.
The pilot sport designation provides a framework for emerging sports to develop national competition opportunities in partnership with national sport organizations. As a pilot sport, women's flag football will operate within the U SPORTS sport structure while the organization works with its members, conferences and Football Canada to further develop competition standards and championship requirements. Under the U SPORTS sport model, adopted in 2023, pilot sports retain that status for five seasons.
Details regarding qualification procedures, participating institutions and the dates and location of the inaugural Football Canada / U SPORTS Women's Flag Football Championship have yet to be determined and will be announced at a later date.
Supporting quotes:
Matthew Davies, Chief Sport Officer, U SPORTS
"Women's flag football has experienced remarkable growth in recent years, and today's announcement marks an important milestone for university sport in Canada. As the sport continues to gain momentum at the grassroots, university, and international levels — including its debut at the 2028 Olympic Games — this is an exciting opportunity to create new competitive pathways for student-athletes and further expand opportunities for women in sport.
The addition of women's flag football reflects U SPORTS' commitment to evolving alongside the interests of our student-athletes and Members while fostering inclusive, meaningful championship experiences. We look forward to working with our Members and Football Canada to build the sport's presence across the country and to seeing the next generation of student-athletes help define this new chapter in U SPORTS."
Jo-Anne Polak, Chair, Football Canada
"The adoption of Women's Flag Football as a pilot sport by U SPORTS is a landmark moment for our game and for the future of sport in Canada. This decision creates a clear pathway for thousands of young women to continue their football journey from community fields to university competition and beyond.
Flag football is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country, and today's announcement reflects the incredible momentum, passion, and talent we are seeing coast to coast. It is also a powerful statement about expanding opportunities for women in sport and ensuring that football remains a game for everyone.
On behalf of Football Canada, I want to thank U SPORTS, our provincial partners, coaches, athletes, and volunteers whose vision and dedication have helped make this milestone possible. Together, we are building something truly historic, and we cannot wait to see the next generation of student-athletes lead the way."
Rachel Lessard, Head Coach, Canada’s Senior Women’s Flag Football Team
"This announcement represents a major milestone for the future of flag football in Canada. The addition of women's flag football to U SPORTS strengthens an already growing pathway for athletes, creating more opportunities for players to develop, compete at a high level, and continue progressing toward national team programs.
Many of the athletes who will represent Canada in the years ahead will come through the university sport system, and having a national U SPORTS structure will be valuable as we continue building depth and sustaining success on the international stage. This is an exciting day for our sport and for the next generation of Canadian flag football athletes."