New & Emerging College Sports: More Opportunities Than Ever for Prospective Student-Athletes

The landscape of college athletics is changing—fast. As universities evolve to meet student interests, enrollment goals, Title IX requirements, and market demand, new and emerging sports continue to rise across the NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA.

For prospective student-athletes, this shift means one big thing:

More opportunities to compete in college!

At Recruit 2 Roster, we help student-athletes understand where these new opportunities exist and how they can leverage them to secure a roster spot, a scholarship, or both. Here’s what you need to know.

What Are “Emerging Sports”?

The term “emerging sport” refers to sports the NCAA and other collegiate governing bodies are supporting to help them grow at the varsity level. These sports begin with a smaller number of sponsoring institutions and gain traction as schools recognize their recruiting value and student-interest potential.

Emerging sports often grow because they are:

• Cost effective for athletic departments

• Rapidly growing at the youth/club level

• Appealing for enrollment and campus diversity goals

• Aligned with Title IX expansion

• Supported by strong regional or national participation

As more schools adopt these sports, new teams form, rosters expand, and opportunities multiply.

Fast-Growing & Emerging Sports Across College Athletics

1. Women’s Flag Football (NAIA, NJCAA, growing in NCAA Division II & III)

Women’s flag football is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country. With support from the NFL and youth programs booming nationwide, more colleges are starting varsity programs each year.

Opportunity for recruits:

• Multisport athletes transition well.

• Programs actively seek newcomers.

• Helps institutions expand women’s sports offerings.

2. Women’s Wrestling (NCAA Emerging Sport, NAIA, NJCAA)

Women’s wrestling has exploded nationwide, creating roster needs that exceed available high school talent.

Opportunity for recruits:

• Colleges are aggressively building lineups.

• Scholarships available across divisions.

3. Acrobatics & TumblingA (NCAA Emerging Sport)

This sport attracts athletes from gymnastics, cheer, tumbling, and dance.

Opportunity for recruits:

• Programs value diverse movement backgrounds.

• Rapid expansion equals roster availability.

4. STUNT

A fast-growing sport built around athletic skills rather than traditional cheer components.

Opportunity for recruits:

• Ideal for athletes skilled in stunts, pyramids, jumps, tumbling.

• Many colleges adding teams annually.

5. Esports

Hundreds of colleges now offer varsity esports, many with scholarships.

Opportunity for recruits:

• Colleges recruit for multiple competitive titles.

• Emphasis on reaction time, strategy, teamwork.

6. Women’s Rugby

Women’s rugby continues its steady climb toward broader NCAA adoption.

Opportunity for recruits:

• Coaches often recruit athletes new to the sport.

• Soccer, lacrosse, track athletes transition well.

7. Men’s Volleyball

One of the fastest-growing men’s sports in college athletics.

Opportunity for recruits:

• Expanding opportunities at DIII and NAIA levels.

• Growing club/youth scene feeds college demand.

8. Triathlon (Women’s NCAA Emerging Sport)

Supported by USA Triathlon and Olympic development pathways.

Opportunity for recruits:

• Programs love swimmers, runners, and cyclists.

• Great crossover potential for endurance athletes.

Why Emerging Sports Mean More Opportunities

1. Less Competition for Roster Spots 

These sports don’t yet have massive participation pipelines, so athletes have a clearer path to varsity competition.

2. Scholarships Are Available 

Many emerging sports are equivalency sports, allowing scholarship distribution across multiple athletes.

3. Programs Are Actively Recruiting 

Coaches building new teams want committed, coachable athletes.

4. Transfer Portal Dynamics 

Emerging sports maintain roster stability and consistent openings for incoming recruits.

5. Multisport Athletes Thrive 

Athletes from track, basketball, soccer, gymnastics, and more often excel immediately.

How Recruits Can Maximize These Opportunities

1. Keep an open mind.

2. Showcase athletic traits through clean highlight videos.

3. Contact coaches early.

4. Work with a recruiting service like Recruit 2 Roster.

Final Thoughts

The growth of emerging sports is one of the most exciting developments for prospective college athletes. These expanding options allow students to find the best competitive, academic, and personal fit.

At Recruit 2 Roster, we guide families to the programs where student-athletes can thrive—whether in traditional sports or in fast-growing new opportunities.

Sources & Citations:

NCAA Emerging Sports for Women Program — https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2021/2/23/emerging-sports-for-women.aspx

NAIA Women's Flag Football — https://www.naia.org/sports/wflag/index

USA Triathlon NCAA Initiative — https://www.usatriathlon.org

National Collegiate Acrobatics & Tumbling Association — https://www.thencata.org

NJCAA Esports — https://www.njcaa.org/esports