OHSAA sanctions girls flag football

COLUMBUS — The Ohio High School Athletic Association announced Thursday that it will sanction a state championship event in girls flag football beginning in the spring of 2026. The announcement was made at a press conference in Canton alongside representatives from the National Football League, the Cleveland Browns, the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pro Football Hall of Fame during the NFL FLAG Championships. OHSAA Executive Director Doug Ute and OHSAA staff have been meeting with Ohio flag football leaders for several years. The growth of girls flag football began in 2021 with the creation of the first Girls High School Flag Football division in Northeast Ohio, led by the Cleveland Browns. Three years ago, there were 20 schools in Ohio that had a team. There are currently 80 high schools in Ohio that have a team and that number is expected to continue to grow. "We are pleased that the OHSAA Board of Directors has approved the sanctioning of girls flag football as an OHSAA sponsored championship event," said Ute. "Flag football is growing rapidly and we look forward to working closer with teams, coaches and schools to help that growth. "The Browns, Bengals and NFL have already put in so much work to promote the game and bring us to this moment to welcome girls flag football to the OHSAA." In 2024, the Browns held an initial conversation with the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association regarding adding a division for girls flag football. The coaches association then officially included the sport in the association by adding a new region, Region 18. The Browns are the only NFL club that sits on a board for a high school football coaches association. Flag football has been added by 100 college club and varsity programs and now 17 high school state associations have sanctioned the sport with a state tournament. It will be included as a new sport in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Girls flag football will continue to be a spring sport. In May, the Browns and Bengals hosted the inaugural girls high school flag football championship title game at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium in Massillon, where the top four teams from both the Browns and Bengals divisions competed. Hamilton Badin High School won the inaugural girls flag football state tournament over Willoughby South High School. "Ohio becoming the latest state to sanction girls flag football is a testament to the strong growth and appeal of the sport," said Stephanie Kwok, NFL Vice President, Head of Flag Football. "This is an exciting time with 17 states having sanctioned girls flag football and we're thankful to the Browns, Bengals and OHSAA for their support in growing the sport." Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam said Thursday's decision is an important moment for the team and the entire state. "We have seen firsthand how powerful the game of football can be in shaping confidence, leadership, and community, and we are proud that more young women will have the chance to experience that same growth," Jimmy Haslam said. "When we launched our league in 2021, the goal was to get to this day, but it wouldn't have been possible without the continuous work of the athletes, coaches, administrators, and parents who all believed in the future of this sport. "We want to thank OHSAA, the Cincinnati Bengals and the NFL for their partnership on bringing this to life as we continue to grow the game for girls across the state." Said Bengals Director of Strategy and Engagement, Elizabeth Blackburn: "This is an incredible day for the state of Ohio, the sport of football and most importantly the young women who have dreamed of this moment. On behalf of the Cincinnati Bengals, I want to thank the Ohio High School Athletic Association, athletic directors, players, coaches, referees and every single advocate who helped make today possible. "Flag football is more than a sport — it's — a platform for teamwork, leadership, development and community. The Bengals are proud to support the growth of flag football and celebrate this historic milestone." Dates for competition and the 2026 state tournament will be determined in the near future. ESPN, ABC, Disney and the NFL will provide coverage of this weekend's NFL FLAG championships, spanning 33 hours from Friday through Sunday. ESPN will showcase 15 games from the girls high school division, including the national championship game on Sunday.