The Ohio High School Athletic Association announced it will sanction a state championship event in girls flag football beginning in spring 2026. The announcement was made in Canton during the NFL Flag Championships alongside representatives from the NFL, Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals and Pro Football Hall of Fame.
OHSAA Executive Director Doug Ute said the board approved sanctioning girls flag football as participation has grown rapidly across the state. The sport began in Ohio in 2021 with the first Girls High School Flag Football division in Northeast Ohio, led by the Cleveland Browns. From 20 schools three years ago, Ohio now has 80 high schools with teams and expects continued growth.
The Browns held initial conversations with the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association in 2024 about adding a girls flag football division. The coaches association officially included the sport by adding Region 18, making the Browns the only NFL club on a high school football coaches association board.
Flag football has been added by 100 college programs and 17 high school state associations now sanction the sport with state tournaments. The sport will be included in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Girls flag football will remain a spring sport. In May, the Browns and Bengals hosted the inaugural Girls High School Flag Football State Championship at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium in Massillon, where Hamilton Badin High School defeated Willoughby South High School for the first state title.
NFL Vice President Stephanie Kwok said Ohio’s sanctioning demonstrates the sport’s strong growth and appeal. Competition dates and details for the 2026 state tournament will be determined later.
ESPN, ABC, Disney and the NFL are providing 33 hours of coverage from the NFL Flag Championships this weekend, with ESPN showcasing 15 games from the girls high school division.
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