NHLPreview
What channel are the Avs on tonight? What channel is the Wild game on?
Catch the Avalanche vs. Wild playoff game tonight! What channel?
Yahoo Sports1 min read
SportsFeature
Which states have sanctioned girls high school flag football?
TL;DR
Nineteen states and Washington, D.C. have sanctioned girls high school flag football as of May, recognizing it as a varsity sport. The sport is rapidly growing, especially with its Olympic debut approaching in 2028.
Key points
- Nineteen states and Washington, D.C. have sanctioned girls flag football.
- The sport is recognized as a varsity sport with an official state champion.
- Seventeen states sanctioned it within the past five years.
- Local NFL teams are supporting the growth of girls flag football.
- Flag football will debut in the Olympics in 2028.
Girls flag football is, indisputably, on the rise.
Some states have been crowning girls flag football state champions for decades (looking at you, Florida) and some just sanctioned it in early May (congratulations, New Jersey), but as flag football's Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles games inches closer, the sport is now growing astronomically. Seventeen states have sanctioned it within the past five years, often with backing and support from local NFL teams, and a number more are currently running pilot programs.
In total, 19 states and Washington, D.C. have sanctioned girls flag football at the high school level as of the beginning of May. The official sanctioning means it will be recognized as a varsity sport with an official state champion—along with possible inclusion in the USA TODAY Sports flag football Super 25—on par with other athletic offerings.
Take a look at who has sanctioned the sport, and when.
States that have sanctioned girls flag football:
Note: Oftentimes, some play had begun at the high school before the year of official sanctioning.
Alabama (2023)
Alaska (2024)
Arizona (2022)
California (2023)
Colorado (2024)
Florida (2003)
Georgia (2019)
Hawaii (2024)
Illinois (2024)
Kansas (2026)
Maryland (2026)
Mississippi (2025)
Nevada (2016)
New Jersey (2026)
New York (2023)
Ohio (2025)
Pennsylvania (2024)
Tennessee (2025)
Washington (2025)
Washington, D.C. (2025)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:
Q&A
Which states have sanctioned girls high school flag football?
As of May, 19 states and Washington, D.C. have sanctioned girls high school flag football.
What does it mean for girls flag football to be sanctioned?
Sanctioning means girls flag football is recognized as a varsity sport with an official state champion.
Why is girls flag football growing in popularity?
The sport is growing due to increased support from local NFL teams and its upcoming Olympic debut in 2028.
