Girls flag football is fastest-growing high school sport

Girls flag football has emerged as the fastest-growing high school sport, with tens of thousands of female athletes taking part in the game that once had a minimal varsity presence. This rapid rise in popularity is broadening athletic opportunities for young women across the country.

According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, more than 102,000 girls participated in high school flag football during the 2025-26 academic year, marking a staggering 551% increase over the past four years. When it was first introduced in just 12 states in 2024, the sport was seen as a safer and more accessible alternative to traditional American football.

Today, flag football is sanctioned as a varsity sport in 23 states, including Washington, D.C., and is played by an impressive 3,990 high schools across the nation. The sport's rapid growth has caught the attention of major organizations such as the NFL, which has invested millions in launching and expanding high school flag football programs, and even featured the sport in its Super Bowl commercials.

Beyond high schools, flag football is set to make its Olympic debut in 2028, and at least 40 NCAA schools currently offer it as a collegiate varsity sport. However, it remains unclear whether the sport is attracting new high school athletes or drawing girls away from established sports like girls lacrosse, softball, and track.

While girls varsity wrestling is also experiencing a surge in popularity, with all 50 states now reporting participation and 40 state athletic associations holding championships, flag football remains the fastest-growing sport for female high school athletes.