Women's flag football gets new college league with 5 NJ teams

Montclair State, Kean, Centenary, FDU to join 15-team ECAC flag football league backed by $1M from Jets, Betty Wold Johnson Foundation

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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The Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) is launching a new 15-team women's flag football league, which will include five teams from New Jersey: Montclair State, Kean University, Centenary University, and Fairleigh Dickinson University's main campus. The league is being backed by a $1 million commitment from the Betty Wold Johnson Foundation and the New York Jets, and will provide new opportunities for women's flag football at the college level.

Why it matters

Women's flag football is an emerging sport that is gaining traction at the high school and college levels, and this new ECAC league represents a major step forward in providing more opportunities for female athletes. The league's launch also comes as flag football prepares to make its Olympic debut in 2028, further elevating the sport's profile.

The details

The ECAC flag football league will feature 15 teams total, making it the largest collegiate women's flag football league. In addition to the five New Jersey schools, the league will include teams from across the Northeast. The league's championship trophy is named "The Betty" in honor of the late mother of New York Jets owner Woody Johnson. The Jets also sponsor 260 flag football teams around the world. Each team in the new league will receive footballs and potentially other equipment from Sporting goods company Franklin Sports Inc.

  • The ECAC flag football league was launched on February 27, 2026 with a media day event at MetLife Stadium.
  • The league's inaugural season will take place in the 2026-27 academic year.
  • Flag football joined the NCAA's Emerging Sports for Women program in January 2026.
  • At least 40 colleges must offer flag football for it to be considered for NCAA championship status.
  • Flag football for both men and women will make its Olympic debut in 2028 in Los Angeles.

The players

Montclair State University

One of the five New Jersey schools that will be part of the new ECAC flag football league. Montclair State was the only school with its own camera crew at the launch event, filming a "Hard Knocks" style documentary series.

Kean University

One of the five New Jersey schools that will be part of the new ECAC flag football league. Kean University is expected to host the final game of the new high school girls flag football league in New Jersey.

Centenary University

One of the five New Jersey schools that will be part of the new ECAC flag football league. Centenary got involved in flag football after it became a varsity sport in the NCAA Division III Atlantic East conference last spring.

Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU)

The main FDU campus in Teaneck, New Jersey is expected to join the new ECAC flag football league next spring.

New York Jets

The NFL team that, along with the Betty Wold Johnson Foundation, has committed $1 million to launch the new ECAC flag football league. The Jets sponsor 260 flag football teams around the world.

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What they’re saying

“That's why I'm doing this. I'm not going to be here by the time you hit college, but I started a pathway for you. ... The Jets and ECAC created a sisterhood.”

— Kimora Weston, Sophomore receiver/cornerback, Montclair State (Burlington County Times)

“It makes me feel like a kid again, an empowered kid though. I feel very very powerful on the field. It's just me and the football. It gives me confidence. I'm free to do what I love.”

— Rihanna Bueno, Freshman, Montclair State (Burlington County Times)

“In high school, I was one of the first players, so it's full circle that I'm the first for my college. I loved flag football in high school. It was probably my favorite sport. I'm going to take it and run with it.”

— Morgan Dolaghan, Sophomore, Centenary University (Burlington County Times)

What’s next

The ECAC flag football league will hold its inaugural season in the 2026-27 academic year. The NCAA is expected to fully sanction girls flag football in May 2027, with official rules and a playoff structure to start in the spring of 2027.

The takeaway

This new ECAC flag football league represents a significant step forward for women's sports, providing more opportunities for female athletes to compete at the college level. The league's launch, combined with flag football's inclusion in the 2028 Olympics, signals a growing recognition and investment in the sport that could inspire more young women to get involved.