IHSAA to Vote on Sanctioning Girls Flag Football
State officials will decide this spring whether to officially sanction girls flag football as a varsity sport.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Football
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The IHSAA will vote this spring on the formal sanctioning of girls flag football as a high school sport in Indiana. This decision follows a period of rapid growth for the sport throughout the state, supported by the Indianapolis Colts.
Why it matters
Official sanctioning would provide a structured framework for the rapidly expanding league and could further increase participation among high school athletes. The move also aligns with the broader inclusion of the sport on the global stage.
Participation has surged to 108 teams, marking a substantial increase from just 8 teams three years ago. The league now includes both junior varsity and varsity programs at participating high schools.
The players
IHSAA
The Indiana High School Athletic Association is the governing body responsible for setting rules and sanctioning sports programs across Indiana schools.
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional NFL team based in Indiana that has provided support to local youth and high school flag football initiatives.
Penn Kingsman
The Penn Kingsman are a high school flag football team that secured the state championship title.
Lawrence North Wildcats
The Lawrence North Wildcats are a competitive high school flag football team that reached the championship game in each of the last two years.
The details
The Indianapolis Colts have actively supported the expansion of the league, providing resources as interest in the sport continues to climb across Indiana. Top performers like the Lawrence North Wildcats and the Penn Kingsman have driven interest through competitive championship appearances.
Timeline
Three years ago, the league began with eight teams.
The Penn Kingsman will be honored during the Nov. 15, 2026, Colts-Dolphins game.
The IHSAA is scheduled to hold its sanctioning vote in the spring of 2027.
Flag football is slated for inclusion in the 2028 Olympics.
Season Trajectory
The potential IHSAA sanctioning follows the momentum of the 2028 Olympic flag football program, which is fueling high school adoption globally. This move reflects a broader alignment between state-level high school sports and the international push toward professionalizing the discipline.
Official sanctioning would likely lead to a formal state tournament structure and consistent varsity regulations for all participating Indiana high schools. Schools currently running programs will see their junior varsity and varsity rosters integrated into a regulated IHSAA framework.
The takeaway
The rapid growth of flag football indicates a major shift in how high school athletic departments are diversifying their sports offerings. Families should monitor local school boards for updates on program expansion if the IHSAA proceeds with formal sanctioning.
What happens next
The Penn Kingsman will be recognized during the Indianapolis Colts game on Nov. 15, 2026. The IHSAA will conduct the official sanctioning vote during the spring of 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about the state's ongoing developments in Football.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Fox 59.
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