Inaugural Southern California League to Accelerate the Explosive Growth of Women's Flag Football
Creating a Path for High School and College Athletes to Take Their Skills to the Professional Level
SoCal Women's Pro Flag Football League to Launch in 2026
Tapping Into Explosive Growth of Women's Flag Football
Southern California to Become Home of Nation's Newest Women's Professional Sports League
Newport Beach, CA – Riding the unprecedented surge in popularity of women's flag football across the United States, the SoCal Women's Pro Flag Football League (SCWPFFL) today announced plans to officially launch its inaugural season in 2026, establishing Southern California as a premier destination for elite women's professional flag football.
The league is the brainchild of sports entrepreneur and longtime sports promoter Roy Englebrecht, whose career spans decades of creating, promoting, and growing successful sports properties. Englebrecht's vision for the SCWPFFL is to provide a professional platform for elite female flag football athletes or elite female athletes in general, from across Southern California, showcasing their speed, skill, and strategy, while helping to shape the future of one of the fastest-growing sports in the world.
"Women's flag football has reached a tipping point. The talent level is extraordinary, the interest is real, and the timing is right. Southern California has always been a leader in sports innovation, and this league is about creating opportunity and visibility, with players finally having a true professional home to continue their careers in flag football. I look forward to hiring a full time Commissioner in January who will oversee the formation of the League."
— Roy Englebrecht, Founder and partner in Combat Sports Entertainment
The league, in 2026, will launch with SCWPFFL franchises in each of the eight Southern California counties: Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Riverside, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Bernardino, and Imperial.
With youth, high school, collegiate, and international participation in women's flag football at record levels – and the sport's inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games – the SCWPFFL is launching at a pivotal moment for the game.
Season Details
- ● Games will be staged at top high school or junior college football stadiums in each of the eight counties, ensuring athletes play in front of family, friends, and football fans
- ● The SCWPFFL 14-game regular season will run June through mid-August
- ● Playoffs start in August
- ● All games played in four 15-minute quarters
- ● League-wide draft to be held mid-March
"This league isn't just about games. It's about building a sustainable future for women's football and inspiring the next generation of athletes."
— Roy Englebrecht
Women's flag football is currently one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States, sanctioned by numerous state high school athletic associations and now supported by the NFL at the grassroots level. The launch of the SCWPFFL represents the next natural step – a professional pathway for women who wish to continue competing at the highest level.
"I am also excited to provide this opportunity for anyone with some fair amount of capital to be part of league ownership or become a team owner, just like Jerry Jones, Mark Walter, Stan Kroenke, or Steve Ballmer have done. I want them to have the same thrill that I had when Mark Harmon and I owned the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes!"
— Roy Englebrecht
Additional announcements, including team names, venues, league draft, player tryouts, ownership groups, and corporate partnerships – will be released in early February.
For updates and league information, follow us on social media or visit
www.socalwomensproflagfootballleague.com
In The News
Sports Business Journal - 12/10/2025
"NFL Owners Greenlight Pro Flag League"
Sports Business Journal - 12/11/2025
"NFL Owners Vote to Spend $1 Million Per Team on New Flag League"
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