Steven Wright: OHSAA announces girls flag football as 29th sanctioned sport
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
*
Save
Girls flag football has officially become the 29th sport recognized by the Ohio High School Athletic Association.
The OHSAA made the announcement Wednesday, June 24. Girls flag football was unanimously approved by the OHSAA Board of Directors at its June meeting.
“The OHSAA is so proud to welcome girls flag football to our family,” OHSAA Executive Director Doug Ute said in a statement. “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.”
Ohio will have more girls sports (15) than boys (14) sanctioned by the OHSAA in the 2026-27 school year. The OHSAA initially approved girls flag football as a varsity sport for the first time for the 2026 season. Ohio is now the 23rd state to sanction girls flag football.
Both the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns franchises have assisted with the growth of the sport since its inception in Ohio in 2021.
“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,” said Bengals Vice President Elizabeth Blackburn in a statement. “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 are excited to see the opportunities this creates for future generations of athletes.”
There were 162 schools which competed in Ohio during the 2026 Spring season — 41 of those in Southwest Ohio, including Badin, Trotwood and the six Dayton City League members.
Badin has been one of the most successful programs in the sports infancy in Southwest Ohio, winning the inaugural Ohio High School Football Coaches Association state championship in 2025 and reaching the OHSAA state tournament in 2026. Pointz CTC has twice won Dayton City League championships.
The site and dates for the 2027 state championships will be determined at a later date. The 2025 tournament was held at Massillon’s Paul Brown Tiger Stadium and the first OHSAA championship tournament was at Canton’s Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium — the same location as the boys football championships — in May.
*
Save
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos