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Women's National Football Conference

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Women's National Football Conference
SportWomen's American football
Founded2018; 8 years ago (2018)
FounderOdessa Jenkins
First season2019
PresidentElizabeth Jenkins
CommissionerJanice Masters
No. of teams17
Country
  • United States
Most recent
champion
Texas Elite Spartans
(2025)
Most titlesTexas Elite Spartans (5 titles)
Sponsors
Website

The Women's National Football Conference (WNFC) is a professional, 11-on-11, full-contact women's American football league in the United States. With teams across the U.S., the WNFC had its first on-field game in 2019 with fourteen regular teams and one exhibition team.

The league's fist championship game, known as the IX Cup, was won by the Texas Elite Spartans. They have also won the most championships of any team in the league.

The WNFC's sponsorship partners have included Adidas, Riddell,[1] Dove,[2] and Dick's Sporting Goods.[3]

League history

[edit]

The Women's National Football Conference was founded by former Women's Football Alliance (WFA) player and then coach Odessa Jenkins in 2018, with its inaugural season in 2019.[4][5] On their website, the WNFC is described as looking to create a standard of excellence and opportunities. The league's mission is to accelerate financial equity for women through the power of football, reshaping the landscape of sports and entertainment by demonstrating that women belong on the field, at the table, and in leadership.

On December 10, 2018, the WNFC announced a partnership with Adidas, as part of the latter's "She Breaks Barriers" initiative.[6][7] As part of the partnership, Adidas serves as the WNFC's presenting sponsor, with all WNFC teams wearing custom-made Adidas uniforms.

2019

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The WNFC played its inaugural season in 2019 with fourteen regular teams and one exhibition team.[2] Five teams came to the WNFC from the Independent Women's Football League (IWFL), which folded after its 2018 season: the Utah Falconz, Texas Elite Spartans, the San Diego Surge, the Seattle Majestics, and the Los Angeles Bobcats. Three teams came from the WFA: the Atlanta Phoenix, the Alabama Fire, and the San Diego Rebellion. Two teams came from the U.S. Women's Football League (USWFL): the North Florida Pumas and the Houston Heat. Finally, five teams were playing their inaugural seasons: the Nebraska Nite Hawks, the Las Vegas Silver Stars, the Denver Bandits, the New Orleans Hippies, and the Phoenix Prowlers.[8]

The season began on April 6[8] and ended with the inaugural IX Cup (named in honor of Title IX) on June 29, which saw the Texas Elite Spartans defeat the Utah Falconz 19–14.[9][10]

In October 2019, the WNFC launched the anti-bullying, girls empowerment program, Got Her Back.[11]

2020

[edit]

The WNFC added seven teams for the 2020 season: three from the WFA, two from the USWFL, and three expansion teams.[citation needed] This brought the league to 20 teams.[12] No games were played due to COVID-19.[1]

In May 2020, it was announced that the WNFC had received the Adidas + iFundWomen grant. Three Stripes, along with sports equipment company Riddell, would outfit the teams for their sophomore season in 2021.[1]

2021

[edit]

In 2021, the WNFC and streaming platform VYRE Network entered into a multi-year contract to stream all of the league's games for the 2022 season.[13]

The league partnered with Promus Diagnostic to provided weekly COVID-19 testing for players and staff starting April 1, 2021.[14] The WNFC returned to play with 20 teams on May 1, 2021.[15] According to VYRE, the first week saw the highest viewership numbers of the season, with 363,513 impressions logged.[13]

The season ended with Texas Elite Spartans defeating the San Diego Rebellion 27–6 on August 9, at UNT Apogee Stadium in Denton, Texas.[16] The championship game was watched by 21,312 users.[17]

2022

[edit]

The WNFC played Week 1 of its 2022 season on April 2.[18] The league had added a new team, the Los Angeles Legends, in the fall of 2021 with their inaugural season being 2022.[19] The season ended with the Texas Elite Spartans defeating the Utah Falconz 48–12.[20] The championship game was watched by 77,546 users, over 50,000 more users than the previous year's.[17]

It was reported that viewership across all Vyre Network platforms had increased by 475% from 2021, throughout the course of the 2022 season.[17]

In June 2022, Dick's Sporting Goods became an official retail partner of the WNFC.[3]

2023

[edit]

For the 2023 season, the WNFC launched its own direct-to-consumer streaming service, wScore,[21] in which all games would be available. Live and on-demand coverage of select games was also available through a partnership with Caffeine TV.[22]

The WNFC played Week 1 of its 2023 season on April 1.[21] The league had added a new team, the Tennessee Trojans, bringing the total number of teams to 18.[23] The season ended with the Texas Elite Spartans defeating the Mississippi Lady Panthers 49–7.[24]

According to Caffeine, there were over 700,000 views on the platform within the first week and 10 million streams across all league content.[22]

2024

[edit]

Before the start of the 2024 season, it was announced that Caffeine had expanded its content rights agreement with the WNFC.[25] It was also announced that the WNFC had secured a five-year (2024–2028) deal with sports streaming platform DAZN.[26]

The WNFC played Week 1 of its 2024 season on April 6.[25] All games were streamed on Caffeine and DAZN.[25][26] The season ended with the Mississippi Lady Panthers defeating the Texas Elite Spartans 13–6.[27]

On May 9, 2024, the WNFC announced a partnership with Gridiron Football.[28][29]

On November 24, 2024, the WNFC announced it had raised $1 million in seed funding.[30]

2025

[edit]

In February 2025, Got Her Back, the WNFC's official charity, and ReNEW Schools held a free Girls’ Football and Empowerment Camp open to girls ages 8–18 on the eve of the NFL's Super Bowl LIX. The event also marked the start of the WNFC’s partnership with beauty brand Dove.[2]

The WNFC played Week 1 of its 2025 season on March 29. The league had added three new teams that season: the Jersey Shore Wave, the Atlanta Truth, and the Chicago Winds.[31][2]

The WNFC does not pay its players salaries. However, as of mid-2025, it planned to give $20,000 to the championship team and had budgeted to pay weekly and season award-winners.[32][4]

In June 2025, the IX Cup game was the first WNFC game to be broadcast on ESPN2.[32] It reached 150,000 viewers.[4] The Texas Elite Spartans beat the Washington Prodigy 21–19.[33]

In October 2025, the WNFC announced it was expanding its flag football program to all 16 WNFC markets.[34]

In December 2025, it was announced that the partnership between the WNFC and Adidas had been extended through 2028.[35]

2026

[edit]

For the 2026 season, WNFC games were available on Victory+, a free ad-supported streaming service.[35] The WNFC played Week 1 of its 2026 season on March 28.[5] The league had added a new team, the Golden State Storm,[36] making for 16 teams.[35]

In June 2026, it was announced that the WNFC's contract with ESPN had been extended.[37]

The season ended with the Texas Elite Spartans defeating the San Diego Rebellion 34–14.[38]

Rules of play

[edit]

WNFC games are played 11-on-11 in full gear (pads and helmets) under NCAA college football rules with 12-minute quarters. Teams play an eight-game regular season and are divided into three conferences: Atlantic, Central, and Pacific.[39]

Some WNFC rules differ from those of the NCAA , specifically:[40]

  • After a touchdown, the scoring team has options for a one-, two-, or three-point extra point.
  • Scores by the defense are worth nine points, instead of the usual six points. This is also called a "Pick IX", a reference to Title IX.[41]
  • Kickoffs are made from the 45-yard line.

Current teams

[edit]
Team Location Venue Head coach Founded Joined
Atlanta Truth Lawrenceville, Georgia Central Gwinnett High School Kameron Marks 2024 2025
Chicago Winds Elmhurst, Illinois Perspectives High School of Technology Allan Williams 2024 2024
Florida Avengers Jacksonville, Florida First Coast High School Damien Grimes 2019 2020
Jersey Shore Wave Paterson, New Jersey Hinchliffe Stadium Fabian Alesandro 2024 2024
Kansas City Glory Overland Park, Kansas Robert L. Hicks Field KeKe Blackmon 2019 2019
Las Vegas Silver Stars Las Vegas, Nevada Mater Academy Football Stadium Carrie Walters 2017 2019[8]
Los Angeles Legends Gardena, California Long Beach Polytechnic High School Monique Moe Adams and Tim Holmes 2021 2022
Mississippi Panthers[42] Madison, Mississippi Madison Ridgeland Academy LeSteven Jackson 2018 2020
Golden State Storm Oakland, California Laney Field Dallas Hartwell 2026 2026
Oregon Ravens Milwaukie, Oregon Milwaukie High School Tim Price 2019 2019
San Diego Rebellion Escondido, California Escondido High School Knengi Martin 2017 2019[8]
Seattle Majestics Kent, Washington French Field Rodney McCurry 2002 2019[8]
Tennessee Trojans Nashville, Tennessee Rossview High School Kim Corbett 2022 2023
Texas Elite Spartans Lewisville, Texas Maverick Stadium Odessa Jenkins 2017 2019[8]
Utah Falconz Murray, Utah Cottonwood High School Keith Barnes 2014 2019[8]
Washington Prodigy Washington, D.C. Theodore Roosevelt Senior High School LaMont Jordan 2012 2020

Map of teams

[edit]
Current WNFC team locations. Pacific Division teams in blue; Northwest Division teams in yellow; Central Division teams in green; Atlantic Division teams in red.

Former teams

[edit]

Timeline

[edit]
Chicago WindsAtlanta TruthTennessee TrojansLos Angeles LegendsWashington ProdigyPhiladelphia PhantomzOregon RavensMississippi Lady PanthersLa Muerte de Las CrucesKansas City GloryFlorida AvengersCarolina QueensUtah FalconzTexas Elite SpartansSeattle MajesticsSan Diego SurgeSan Diego RebellionPhoenix ProwlersNorth Florida PumasNew Orleans HippiesNebraska Nite HawksLos Angeles BobcatsLas Vegas Silver StarsHouston MambasDenver BanditsAtlanta PhoenixAlabama Fire

IX Cup

[edit]
YearTitleHome teamAway teamScore Ref.
2019 2019 IX Cup Texas Elite Spartans Utah Falconz 19–14 [9]
2020 No games played due to COVID-19 [1]
2021 2021 IX Cup Texas Elite Spartans San Diego Rebellion 27–6 [16]
2022 2022 IX Cup Texas Elite Spartans Utah Falconz 48–14 [20]
2023 2023 IX Cup Texas Elite Spartans Mississippi Panthers 49–7 [24]
2024 2024 IX Cup Texas Elite Spartans Mississippi Panthers 6–13 [27]
2025 2025 IX Cup Texas Elite Spartans Washington Prodigy 21–19 [33]
2026 2026 IX Cup Texas Elite Spartans San Diego Rebellion 34–14 [38]

References

[edit]
  1. 1 2 3 4 Ngomsi, Vinciane (September 20, 2020). "In partnership with Adidas and Riddell, Women's National Football Conference unveil 2020 uniforms". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved August 22, 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Popke, Michael (February 6, 2025). "Women's National Football Conference Ready to Kick Off Sixth Season". www.sportsdestinations.com. Retrieved August 23, 2026.
  3. 1 2 Hruby, Emma (September 21, 2021). "WNBA partners with DICK's Sporting Goods, bringing merchandise to all league markets". Just Women's Sports. Retrieved August 23, 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 Dawud, Sabreen (September 4, 2025). "Women's tackle football is on the rise". The 19th. Retrieved August 23, 2026.
  5. 1 2 Orozco, Regina (March 29, 2026). "The Football Takes Flight Again! WNFC Kicks Off Its 2026 Season". beIN SPORTS. Retrieved August 22, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Running up the Middle". Colorado Woman Sports. July 4, 2019. Retrieved August 23, 2026.
  7. ↑ "adidas campaign sets to break gender barriers". Beyond Sport. December 21, 2018. Retrieved August 23, 2026.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 "2019 WNFC Season Preview". Retrieved August 23, 2026.
  9. 1 2 "WNFC'S IX CUP CHAMPIONSHIP LIVES UP TO THE HYPE!". July 9, 2019. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  10. ↑ TES (June 13, 2022). "Texas Elite Spartans Win 3rd Straight WNFC Atlantic Conference Title". Texas Elite Spartans. Retrieved August 23, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Women's National Football Conference (WNFC) Launches Anti Bullying, Girls Empowerment Program". October 2, 2019. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  12. ↑ Wise, Kathy (June 18, 2020). "Women's National Football Conference Hopes to Turn an Adidas Grant Into a TV Show". D Magazine. Retrieved August 22, 2026.
  13. 1 2 Express, Dallas (August 1, 2022). "WNFC Views Increase 475% with VYRE". Dallas Express. Retrieved August 22, 2026.
  14. ↑ "PROMUS DIAGNOSTIC STEPS UP WITH MEGA PARTNERSHIP WITH WNFC FOR COVID-19 TESTING". WNFC. March 10, 2021. Retrieved August 22, 2026.
  15. 1 2 "Four Mexican players set to debut for WNFC's La Muerte De Las Cruces in 2021 season opener". www.americanfootballinternational.com. May 1, 2021. Retrieved August 22, 2026.
  16. 1 2 Express, Dallas (August 10, 2021). "Texas Elite Spartans Win IX Cup Championship". Dallas Express. Retrieved August 22, 2026.
  17. 1 2 3 "2022 WNFC Season on VYRE Experiences Exponential Viewership Growth – Most-Viewed IX Cup Championship In League History". VYRE Network. July 19, 2022. Archived from the original on August 10, 2026. Retrieved August 22, 2026.
  18. ↑ Prasad, Aryanna (May 5, 2022). "Women's Professional Football: How to watch WFA, WNFC". FanSided. Retrieved August 22, 2026.
  19. ↑ "The City of LA Welcomes a "Legendary" New Professional Sports Team". WNFC. September 11, 2021. Retrieved August 22, 2026.
  20. 1 2 Fleming, Derek (June 29, 2022). "Texas Elite Spartans Win IX Cup Championship 48-12 Over Utah Falconz". Dallas Express. Retrieved August 22, 2026.
  21. 1 2 "WNFC strikes Game of The Week deal with DAZN". www.dazn.com. March 30, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2026.
  22. 1 2 Bucholtz, Andrew (April 5, 2024). "Women's National Football Conference founder Odessa 'OJ' Jenkins talks Caffeine streaming". Awful Announcing. Retrieved August 22, 2026.
  23. ↑ Organ, Mike. "How Nashville landed a Women's NFC team and what it means for flag football players". The Tennessean. Retrieved August 22, 2026.
  24. 1 2 "2023 Texas Elite Spartans Statistics Through Week 8". www.hostedsports.com. Retrieved August 22, 2026.
  25. 1 2 3 "Caffeine Expands Partnerships With WNFC, A7FL, AFFL, AND IFL, Making It the Go-To Streaming Destination For Spring Football". Sports Video Group. March 14, 2024. Retrieved August 22, 2026.
  26. 1 2 "WNFC SECURES FIVE YEAR BROADCASTING DEAL WITH DAZN GROUP FOR PRO WOMEN'S TACKLE AND FLAG". WNFC. April 17, 2024. Retrieved August 22, 2026.
  27. 1 2 Levine, Blake (July 8, 2024). "Mississippi Panthers win WNFC Championship". WJTV. Archived from the original on July 9, 2024. Retrieved August 22, 2026.
  28. ↑ "WNFC and Gridiron Football Unite Forces in Historic Partnership". WNFC. May 9, 2024. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  29. ↑ Feldman, Jacob (June 26, 2024). "Women's Football Is Ready for Its Own Breakout Moment". Sportico.com. Retrieved August 22, 2026.
  30. ↑ Eric Jackson (October 23, 2024). "Women's Semi-Pro Football League Raises $1M in Funding Round". Sportico.
  31. ↑ Gorrilla, Buffy (March 29, 2025). "Jersey Shore Wave to kick off season as one of the newest teams in women's football". NPR. Retrieved August 22, 2026.
  32. 1 2 "Women's tackle football has 2 leagues whose championship games are on ESPN2". The Associated Press. June 20, 2025. Retrieved March 30, 2026.
  33. 1 2 Valverde, Elías (June 22, 2025). "The champs are here: See photos from Texas Elite Spartans' WNFC IX Cup victory over Washington Prodigy in Frisco". Dallas News. Retrieved August 22, 2026.
  34. ↑ "WNFC Launches Nationwide Flag Expansion, Connecting More Women to Football". WNFC. October 8, 2025. Retrieved August 22, 2026.
  35. 1 2 3 Meyers, Alyssa (December 8, 2025). "Exclusive: Adidas extends deal with Women's National Football Conference". Marketing Brew. Retrieved August 22, 2026.
  36. ↑ Daetz, Ama; Guerrero, Juan Carlos (March 27, 2026). "Women's tackle football? Yes, it's real and the Bay Area has its first professional team". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved August 22, 2026.
  37. ↑ Steinberg, Brian (June 1, 2026). "ESPN, Women's National Football Conference Expand Rights Deal". Variety. Retrieved August 22, 2026.
  38. 1 2 Leggett, Caitlin (June 22, 2026). "Texas Elite Spartans win title as defense forces three first-half interceptions". KTXS. Retrieved August 22, 2026.
  39. ↑ Mullen, David (June 6, 2025). "Professional women's football league reaching goals". katytrailweekly.com. Retrieved August 23, 2026.
  40. ↑ "WNFC adds new rules for Year 5: Kickoffs at 45-yard line, 3-point play, and historic Pick IX". WNFC. August 3, 2023. Retrieved August 23, 2026.
  41. ↑ Kenny, Jane (March 29, 2026). "A scientist, a security director, and a super commuter team up in women's tackle football". The San Francisco Standard. Retrieved March 29, 2026.
  42. ↑ https://www.mpbonline.org/television/mississippi-roads/ Mississippi Roads episode Wise, Wilfull, Women February 13, 2022
  43. ↑ Kelly, Lauren (April 4, 2025). "Catching up with the Houston Mambas women's football team about new season". KPRC. Retrieved August 23, 2026.
  44. ↑ Mirza, Celo (April 12, 2019). "These Bandits Are Ready to Make a Big Score". Westword. Retrieved March 29, 2026.
  45. ↑ "WNFC to Suspend Team Operations in Denver and Houston". WNFC. July 1, 2025. Retrieved March 29, 2026.
  46. ↑ "Women's Football in Los Angeles County, California". www.laalmanac.com. Retrieved August 23, 2026.
  47. ↑ Osep, Kari (July 7, 2023). "Alabama Fire undefeated heading into Women's Football Alliance playoffs". WVTM. Retrieved August 23, 2026.
  48. ↑ March, Lochlahn (May 1, 2024). "Philly Phantomz dropped from women's football league over safety concerns. The team owner says they're being 'demonized.'". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved March 29, 2026.
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