Girls flag football has reached a major milestone in Ohio. The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) has officially approved the sport as its 29th recognized varsity sport. The decision was made during the Board of Directors' June meeting and will take effect for the 2026-27 school year.

The decision comes after years of steady growth across the state. Just a few years ago, only a handful of schools offered girls flag football. This spring, more than 160 Ohio high schools had teams, showing just how quickly the sport has gained popularity.

Ohio now joins a growing number of states that recognize girls flag football as a varsity sport. The game is also continuing to grow nationwide and is set to make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.

The expansion of the sport has been made possible through support from the OHSAA, the Cincinnati Bengals, the Cleveland Browns and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Their partnerships have helped schools start programs and given student-athletes more chances to compete.

OHSAA officials say recognizing girls flag football as a varsity sport will create even more opportunities for female athletes across Ohio. More information about the first official varsity season and state tournament is expected to be released before the 2027 season begins.

With this decision, girls flag football has taken another big step forward. As more schools continue to add teams, the sport is expected to keep growing and provide even more opportunities for student-athletes throughout the state.