Women's & girls' flag football
Women's flag football is having its moment
Girls' flag football is one of the fastest-growing high school sports in the US, colleges are adding teams, a pro league is coming, and it's in the Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028.
High school
NFHS counted 102,360 girls in 2025–26, up from 68,847 the year before and from 15,716 in 2021–22. High-school girls' flag under NFHS is played 7v7 with its own rules (compared); before that, most girls play NFL FLAG 5v5. The state finals: 2025–26 state champions. The girls' high school final at the 2026 NFL FLAG Championships drew 1.12 million viewers, the most-watched NFL FLAG game ever.
College
The NCAA added women's flag football to its Emerging Sports for Women program across Divisions I, II and III on January 16, 2026; it needs 40 varsity programs to become a championship sport. The NAIA made it its 30th championship sport, with the first national title in spring 2027 and about 60 schools expected to sponsor it. In 2026 Warner beat Keiser 13–6 to finish 24–0 and win the NAIA Invitational (the full story).
Pro
Premier Flag, the pro league from the NFL and TMRW Sports, will have women's and men's competition from summer 2027. Its first ambassadors include Ashlea Klam, Izzy Geraci and Vanita Krouch (more).
The world and the Olympics
Canada's women won the 2026 World Championship, beating the USA 27–20 in Düsseldorf; Mexico took bronze. Mexico won World Games gold in 2022 and 2025. LA28 will have 6 women's teams of 10, playing IFAF rules; the USA, Canada and Mexico are in (how the rest qualify).
Players to know
- Vanita Krouch (USA): quarterback on the national team since 2016, three-time world champion.
- Diana Flores (Mexico): quarterback, two World Games golds, chair of IFAF's Athletes Committee.
- Sara Parker (Canada): quarterback and MVP of the 2026 World Championship.
- Ashlea Klam (USA, Keiser): 2026 NAIA Player of the Year with 21 touchdown catches and 12 interceptions.
- Akemi Higa (USA): 25 touchdown passes at the 2026 Worlds.
How to get started
- Find a local NFL FLAG league (girls' divisions start young) or your school's team.
- Learn the rules, the positions and the route tree.
- Learn the game step by step: the Playbook Kit goes from the field to real plays in 12 short levels.
Questions
Is flag football in the 2028 Olympics?
Yes. Flag football is on the LA28 program for women and men: 6 teams each, 10 players per team, under IFAF 5v5 rules, July 15–22, 2028. The USA, Canada and Mexico have qualified in the women's tournament.
How many girls play high school flag football?
102,360 in 2025–26, up 48.7% from 68,847 a year earlier, at 3,990 schools (NFHS). It is now one of the 10 most popular high school sports for girls.
How many states have girls' high school flag football?
NFHS says 37 states will either sanction it or run independent or pilot programs by 2026–27. Fewer states count it as a fully sanctioned varsity sport.
Is women's flag football a college sport?
Yes. The NCAA added it to its Emerging Sports for Women program in all three divisions in January 2026, and the NAIA made it its 30th championship sport, with the first national title in spring 2027.
Who are the best women's flag football teams?
Canada won the 2026 World Championship, beating the USA 27–20. Mexico won World Games gold in 2022 and 2025. The USA had won the three world titles before 2026.