BUCS, BAFA LAUNCH REGIONAL UK FLAG SERIES

Flag football continues to grow in popularity globally, with a particular uptake in interest in the UK. With growing interest in the sport and over 120,000 young players already active in schools across Great Britain and Northern Ireland, there will be even more opportunities for the Brits to get involved in the game next season.

British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) has announced the launch of the Regional Flag Football Series for the 2025–26 season, introducing flag football as a new BUCS discipline in partnership with the British American Football Association (BAFA) and NFL UK, with the latter describing further education involvement as both ‘a crucial next step’ and ‘a key gateway for many future players, coaches, and fans in the game’. The initiative has been introduced through BUCS’ new Route 4 – New Disciplines process, allowing emerging sports to join the programme on a probationary basis.

“We’re thrilled to welcome flag football into the BUCS programme,” Neal Kington, head of competitions at BUCS, said. “Working with BAFA and NFL UK allows us to provide more diverse and inclusive opportunities for students across the UK.”

A comprehensive review of the series at the end of the season will assess its impact, with plans to fully integrate flag football into the BUCS calendar for 2026–27, including the introduction of a National Finals event, and the awarding of BUCS Points alongside core sports already on the roster.

“The university and college space has long been vital for our sport,” added BAFA CEO Chad Ehlertsen. “This competition will now help us expand participation and spotlight the excitement and inclusivity of flag football.”