Girls flag football has officially arrived as a varsity sport in Ohio.
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The Ohio High School Athletic Association announced that girls flag football has become its 29th fully recognized sport, beginning with the 2026-27 school year.
The move was approved unanimously by the OHSAA Board of Directors and comes after explosive growth for the sport across the state.
Just three years ago, only 20 Ohio high schools fielded girls flag football teams. That number climbed to 162 teams this past spring, with the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals among those helping drive the expansion.
"The OHSAA is so proud to welcome girls flag football to our family," executive director Doug Ute said. "Flag football has grown so rapidly and will continue to do so."
Ohio becomes one of 23 states with an association that sanctions girls flag football, according to the OHSAA.
The organization already partnered with the Browns, Bengals and Pro Football Hall of Fame to stage a state tournament event in May, with Macedonia Nordonia capturing the championship.
Now the sport gets full OHSAA recognition. The timing isn't bad, either.
Flag football will make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles, where men's and women's six-team tournaments will be contested.
The OHSAA said dates for Ohio's 2027 girls flag football season and tournament will be announced later. The Browns and Bengals are expected to remain heavily involved.
So a sport that barely had a footprint in Ohio a few years ago now has 162 teams, OHSAA sanctioning and an Olympic future.
Yeah, it's safe to say flag football is having a moment.
