‘It’s finally here’: First major women’s flag football Tournament concludes

April 19, 2026 Ashton Sharinn Flag football, Football 0

UCF celebrates after defeating Florida 19-7 in the inaugural Fiesta Bowl Classic. (Samantha Roseff / Inferno Intel)

The sun wasn’t the only thing that intensified on the South Dorsey Lane fields. Arizona State players, along with media members and Dr. Jen Welter, the first female coach in NFL history, did the ‘wobble’ dance before its second game. Following that, players gathered into a circle as coaches hyped up the team as “All in, all day” chants emerged before defensive coordinator Preston Hale stepped into the middle of the circle. After clearing his throat, he yelled “forks up,” later adding, “fork ‘em on me, fork ‘em on three.”

From Sunday morning until midday, tournament play for the Fiesta Bowl Classic took place. ASU football head coach Kenny Dillingham, former NFL wide receiver A.J. Green, former NFL running back Ahman Green and others, like ASU Athletic Director Graham Rossini and Welter, were in attendance for Sunday’s games. A trailblazer in her own right, it seemed written in the stars that Welter was in attendance for a tournament that marked the first major tournament for women’s flag football, setting a new precedent for women’s sports.

Green attended the event with his family. He couldn’t help but smile while watching the event and seeing the growth of women’s sports like flag football. 

“A whole universe of joy,” Green said. “The sport of football created who I am standing here, not just as an athlete, but as a person who knew responsibility, confidence and respect. If sports do this, then I want everybody to have the opportunity to experience that sport, whether it is flag football, volleyball, track, basketball, or anything else.” 

During ASU’s first matchup on Sunday, Hale, the inventor of “jump ball” training, jumped up and down with the iPad in his hands after his defense’s fourth interception of the game. 

Intensity comes with the moment. For those, like Welter, who are pioneers for women in football, she embraced the moment and spoke to the Sun Devils ahead of their semifinal matchup. 

Gathered in a circle, the intensity in her eyes and those around her grew. All focus and eyes were on Welter with every word uncovering more intensity as Rossini and Green listened in from farther away.  

The evolution of the women’s sports world is noticeable. Rossini talked about the positive change in women’s sports. 

“It’s been really cool to see just the emergence of flag football at ASU. There’s really good leadership from a student level and some young women who have been really instrumental in kind of driving the profile of the sport and their place at ASU, so it’s really cool that they get a chance to be a part of this unbelievable event. Fiesta Sports Foundation, putting on an unbelievable showcase for flag football.” 

Flag football is no exception. Rossini said he is learning more about the sport and spoke about the first major 7-on-7 flag football tournament coming to Tempe. 

“Yeah, I’m learning a lot about flag football, just as we kind of follow the momentum of it. It’s great to just see the schools from all over the country that are here today, how seriously they’re taking the sport, the attention behind it, in terms of the companies that are supporting it, the fandom, etc … It’s just nice that you see social media and all the content creation that’s putting a lot more attention behind female sports at all levels, including club flag football.” 

UCF defeated Florida 19-7, winning the Fiesta Bowl Classic and etching its place in history.  UCF defeated ASU, while Florida defeated Georgia to advance to the Championship game.

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