King University to offer women’s flag football in the fall

BRISTOL, Tenn. (WJHL) — King University announced Tuesday that women’s flag football will be offered for the 2025-2026 school year.

King University will be the first NCAA school in Tennessee to sanction the sport at the varsity level, the university stated in a social media post. The sport was recently sanctioned as a varsity sport by the TSSAA.

David Hicks, Vice President of Athletics for the University, said the decision to add the sport came partially from the growing popularity it’s seen recently.

“It’s growing rapidly at the youth and high school level,” said Hicks. “It’s going to be an Olympic sport in 2028 at the Los Angeles games.”

While the university is the first school to add the sport, Hicks believes that other schools will soon follow.

“We’re excited to lead the way,” Hicks said. “We certainly know we’re not going to be the last and we expect it to continue to grow.”

Hicks said that the school had been part of bringing growing sports to the schools, including women’s wrestling, as well as acrobatics and tumbling. For the schools, the additions are about continuing to offer more opportunities in women’s sports.

“It’s exciting to be able to continue to do that,” said Hicks. “Continue to give opportunities to young women who want to continue their education and play an exciting sport.”

The Tornados’ first season competition is scheduled for spring 2026.

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