Ohio sanctions girls flag football, becomes state’s 29th recognized sport

The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) has officially sanctioned girls flag football beginning with the 2026-27 school year following a unanimous vote at the association’s June meeting this week.

Girls flag football is now Ohio’s 29^th sanctioned sport, including 15 sports for girls and 14 for boys, and Ohio becomes the 23^rd state to recognize girls flag football as a varsity sport.

“The OHSAA is so proud to welcome girls flag football to our family,” OHSAA Executive Director Doug Ute said in a news release this week. “Flag football has grown so rapidly and will continue to do so. The Browns, Bengals and NFL put in so much work to promote the game and bring us to this moment to welcome girls flag football to the OHSAA.”

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According to the OHSAA, there were 162 high school girls flag football teams in Ohio this spring. In May, the association partnered with the Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals and the Pro Football Hall of Fame to put on a high school state tournament event, which was won by Macedonia Nordonia.

The OHSAA says it has been meeting with Ohio flag football leaders for several years. In Ohio, the growth of the sport began in 2021 with the creation of the first Girls High School Flag Football Division in Northeast Ohio, and three years ago, there were 20 schools in Ohio that had a team.

Girls flag football is included in the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association.

“The Bengals are proud to support girls flag football and celebrate this historic milestone, which will help pave the way for the sport’s continued growth and success,” Bengals Vice President Elizabeth Blackburn said. “Full sanctioning is a testament to the dedication of many advocates who helped make it possible, including the Ohio High School Athletic Association, athletic directors, players coaches and referees.

“The rapid expansion of flag football across Ohio reflects the passion, talent and commitment young women have for the game. We’re excited to see the opportunities this creates for future generations of athletes.”

Dates for the upcoming season and state tournament have not yet been decided, but the OHSAA says the Bengals and Browns will continue to be heavily involved with girls flag football in Ohio.

“The recognition of girls flag football as an official varsity sport in Ohio is a tremendous milestone for student-athletes across the state,” Browns managing and principal partners Dee and Jimmy Haslam said in a statement. “At the Cleveland Browns, we believe in creating more opportunities for young athletes to learn, compete and grow through the game of football, and this decision marks just the beginning of that journey for many young women across Ohio.

“We’re proud to support the continued growth of girls flag football and look forward to seeing the positive impact this will have on schools, communities and the next generation of players.”