Women's Flag Football Debuts at Southwestern College

New sport expands rapidly from high school to college level, with plans for professional league and Olympic debut.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 2:35am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the action and movement of a women's flag football game, with sharp, overlapping planes of color representing the players and the field of play.The rapid growth of women's flag football is creating new opportunities for female athletes to compete at the collegiate and professional levels.Bonita Today

Women's flag football has quickly gained popularity, with over 300 girls participating in the Metro Conference at the high school level. The sport is now expanding to the collegiate level, with Southwestern College and Grossmont College launching new programs this year. A new professional women's flag football league is also set to debut in 2027, and the sport will make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

Why it matters

The rapid growth of women's flag football demonstrates the increasing demand for women's sports opportunities at all levels. The addition of flag football programs at Southwestern and Grossmont Colleges provides new avenues for female athletes to compete in college athletics, aligning with the sport's future inclusion in the Olympics.

The details

Southwestern College and Grossmont College have both launched women's flag football teams this year, with Southwestern's team currently 0-6 and Grossmont's team earning its first-ever win against Southwestern. The sport has expanded quickly at the high school level, with over 300 girls participating in the Metro Conference and several local teams winning division championships. A new professional women's flag football league is set to debut in 2027, with franchises in each of Southern California's eight counties.

  • The Metro Conference held its inaugural girls flag football season in 2025.
  • Bonita Vista won the first San Diego Section Division I championship in 2025.
  • Mater Dei Catholic won the Division III title in 2026, while San Ysidro and Olympian met in the Division IV championship game.
  • Olympian scored a CIF repeat as the Division V champion in 2026.
  • The new professional women's flag football league is set to launch its inaugural all-star tour this summer, with a full league launch planned for May 2027.

The players

Chris Krich

The head coach of the women's flag football team at Southwestern College.

Eboni Chambers

The head coach of the women's flag football team at Grossmont College.

Tom Gang

The Dean of Wellness, Exercise Science and Athletics at Southwestern College.

Ron Valenzuela

The athletic director at Southwestern College.

Niyobie McGraw

The quarterback for the Grossmont College women's flag football team.

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What they’re saying

“It's been great. The girls are positive, right now understanding the fundamentals of the game. It's been a phenomenal experience. It's fast-paced, a lot of action.”

— Chris Krich, Head Coach, Southwestern College Women's Flag Football

“Everyone at the college is very sympathetic to us and excited now that we got our first win.”

— Eboni Chambers, Head Coach, Grossmont College Women's Flag Football

“Southwestern College is excited to champion the growth and be one of the institutions of higher education at the forefront of an emerging women's sport. The launch of flag football broadens our sport offerings and strengthens our connection with the South San Diego community. Women's flag football will be more accessible by having a collegiate program right here in Chula Vista. This is going to be very special.”

— Ron Valenzuela, Athletic Director, Southwestern College

What’s next

The Pacific Coast Athletic Conference is expected to vote on formally adding women's flag football to the full interscholastic lineup. The California Community College Athletic Association also anticipates around 40 women's flag football programs across northern and southern California in 2025-26.

The takeaway

The rapid growth of women's flag football, from high school to college and soon the Olympics, demonstrates the increasing demand and opportunities for female athletes. Southwestern and Grossmont Colleges are at the forefront of this emerging sport, providing new pathways for women to compete in college athletics.