McPHERSON, Kan. - McPherson College will add women's flag football as its 20th varsity program, beginning competition in the 2026-27 season, the institution announced Thursday. This will give student-athletes the chance to join one of the fastest-growing collegiate sports.

"We are thrilled about the addition of women's flag football to our sport offerings," said Athletic Director Josh Daume. "Flag football is one of the fastest growing sports in the country and will add further opportunities for women to participate in varsity competition while receiving an outstanding education at McPherson College."

In July, the NAIA's National Administrative Council Executive Committee approved women's flag football as an invitational championship sport for the 2025-26 season after it launched as an emerging sport in 2021. As a result, the postseason will shift to a qualification-based invitational tournament.

Thirty-five NAIA programs across the country will compete in the 2025-26 season, with several more slated to join in 2026-27. More than 100 collegiate programs in the United States offer the sport across all levels.

The KCAC currently has five full-time members currently competing in women's flag football — Ottawa, Kansas Wesleyan, Southwestern College, University of Saint Mary, and Bethel College— with Oklahoma Wesleyan adding women's flag football in 2026-27. The conference also currently has five per-sport members that participate in the KCAC in women's flag: Baker University, William Woods University, Midland University, Graceland University, and Cottey College. Hesston College recently announced it will join as a per-sport member in 2026-27.

Ottawa University has won five consecutive national championships.

Nationally, 17 states have sanctioned the growing sport at the high school level. An additional 17 have piloted the sport in high schools, including Kansas. The International Olympic Committee approved flag football for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

"The addition of flag football further demonstrates McPherson College's desire to grow both its athletics program and enrollment," said Daume. "We look forward to competing against our fellow KCAC institutions in a sport that is growing worldwide. We recognize that the sport is quickly gaining popularity at the high school level and want to provide those student-athletes with an opportunity to continue their athletic and academic careers at McPherson College. It's a fast-paced, spectator-friendly sport that our fans and alumni will enjoy."

A national search for a head coach will begin immediately. Interested candidates should contact Director of Athletics Josh Daume directly.