Women's gridiron football, more commonly known as women's tackle football, women's American football, women's Canadian football, or simply women's football, is a form of gridiron football played by women. Most leagues play by similar rules to the men's game. Women primarily play on a semi-professional or amateur level in the United States. Very few high schools or colleges offer the sport solely for women and girls. However, on occasion, it is permissible for a female player to join the otherwise male team.
The Austin Outlaws are a women's football team in the Women's Football Alliance. They are based in Austin, Texas. Home games are played at historic House Park in downtown Austin.
The Detroit Demolition was a women's American football team based in the Detroit, Michigan area. During their most recent season, home games were played at Franklin High School in Livonia. They joined the National Women's Football Association (NWFA) in 2002 as the Detroit Danger, winning a national championship. Their only loss that year was in the regular season to the Cleveland Fusion by a score of 14–3.
The Erie Illusion was a women's football team playing in the United States Women's Football League and they were based in Erie, Pennsylvania. Their team colors was orange and purple; the team played at Erie Veterans Memorial Stadium. Mary Butler was the owner and general manager of the franchise. Troy Allen was the Illusion's final head coach.
The Chicago Force was a women's American football team. Founded in 2003 by Lisa Cole, the team played at De La Salle HS & St. Rita HS – both on Chicago's South side; Lane Stadium at Lane Technical College Prep High School, Holmgren Athletic Complex at North Park University on Chicago's North Side, and at Jorndt Field, commonly known as Winnemac Stadium. The team played the 2012–2014 seasons at Lazier Field on the campus of Evanston Township High School, and for the 2015 season onward, back at Lane Tech.
The Cincinnati Sizzle is a women's professional full-contact/tackle football team from Cincinnati, Ohio. The team was established in 2003, by former Cincinnati Bengals running back Ickey Woods. Steve Sherman is the current owner of the Cincinnati Sizzle, as of the 2018 season, with Michelle Terrell continues in her 15th year as general manager. The regular season spans from April to July. Currently the home games are played at Walnut Hills High School (Cincinnati).
The Boston Militia were a women's full-contact football team in the Women's Football Alliance of which they were two-time champions. Previously, the Militia played in the Independent Women's Football League from 2008 until 2010, winning the IWFL championship in 2010. Based in Boston, Massachusetts, the Militia played its home games at Dilboy Stadium in nearby Somerville.
The Dayton Diamonds are a charter member of the Women's Football Alliance which began play in 2008. Based in Dayton, Ohio, home games are played on the campus of Northmont High School in nearby Clayton.
The Baltimore Nighthawks are a women's American football team in the Women's Football Alliance. The Nighthawks played their inaugural game in Brooklandville at Martin D. Tullai Field. The Nighthawks played the remainder of their home season at the Baltimore Lutheran School in Towson.
The D.C. Divas are a women's gridiron football team that plays in the Women's Football Alliance. Based in the Washington metropolitan area, the Divas play their home games at Annandale High School in Annandale, Virginia. Formerly, the Divas played at Eastern High School in Washington, D.C.; Largo High School in Largo, Maryland; the Prince George's Sports and Learning Complex in Landover ; John R. Lewis High School in Springfield; The St. James in Springfield, Virginia, and at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria, Virginia.
The Carolina Phoenix is a football team in the Women's Football Alliance (WFA) based in the Triad of North Carolina. Home games are played at Simeon Stadium in High Point, North Carolina.
The Bay Area Bandits was a women's American football team that played from 2010 to 2012. Based in Fremont, California, the Bandits played their home games at Contra Costa College.
The Central Cal War Angels were a team of the Women's Football Alliance which began play for the 2010 season. Based in Fresno, California, the War Angels play their home games on the campus of Fresno City College.
The Detroit Dark Angels were a women's semi-professional American football team founded in 2010 by Chuck Lauber and Aaron Brothers. In 2014, the team was purchased and reorganized as a 501(c)3 corporation DDA Football Inc., by a group that included former Detroit Demolition players Alecia Sweeney and Yarlen Henry along with Coach Keith Thomas.
The Derby City Dynamite is a women's professional full-contact/tackle football team of the Women's Football Alliance that began play in 2012. Based in Louisville, Kentucky, the Dynamite's home venue is John Hardin High School in Elizabethtown.
Ohio is home to many professional and college sports teams. The metropolitan areas of Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Columbus are home to major league professional sports teams in baseball, basketball, football, hockey, and soccer.
The Boston Renegades are a tackle football team in the Women's Football Alliance. The Renegades play their home games at Harry Della Russo Stadium in Revere, Massachusetts.
The Women's Professional Football League (WPFL) was the first American football league for women. It was founded in 1965 by talent agent Sid Friedman, for exhibition games. The WPFL ceased operations in 1973.
