High school Girls' flag football now an officially sanctioned sport in PA

Girls’ flag football is now officially a sanctioned sport in Pennsylvania.

The PIAA approved the sport during a board of directors meeting on Wednesday.

The PIAA says both the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles helped get the sport sanctioned.

At least 100 teams were required for girls’ flag football to be sanctioned.

There are currently 36 schools on the western side of the state and 65 on the eastern.

The Steelers began a flag football league in 2022 with six teams and last year has 22 teams at 17 schools.

36 high schools are now participating in the area, thanks to the Steelers.

“We are excited to see such a groundbreaking moment for the future of girls’ flag football,” said Art Rooney II, Steelers President. “It has been great working with the Eagles to accomplish a successful ruling that will now give young girls the chance to compete at a state level. We look forward to seeing how girls' flag football continues to grow in Pennsylvania and worldwide.

“We’re thrilled that we can offer another opportunity for girls to participate interscholastic athletics,” said Frank Majikes, PIAA President. “This is the second girls’ sport in two years to be approved. In recognizing the National Federation of High School Associations (NFHS), we will be initiating development of a girls’ flag football rules book in January 2025. This will allow us to develop our process to host a championship. The structural changes to the sport won’t begin until the 2025-26 school year. The PIAA thanks the National Football League, Eagles, and Steelers for their support and efforts for girls’ flag football.”