The Ohio High School Athletic Association announced today that it will sanction a state championship event in girls flag football beginning in the spring of 2026. The announcement was made at a press conference in Canton alongside representatives from the National Football League, the Cincinnati Bengals, the Cleveland Browns and the Pro Football Hall of Fame during the NFL FLAG Championships.

OHSAA Executive Director Doug Ute and OHSAA staff have been meeting with Ohio flag football leaders for several years. Three years ago, there were 20 schools in Ohio that had a team. There are currently 80 schools in Ohio that have a team and that number is expected to continue to grow. Growth in Southwest Ohio has been accelerated with the help of the Bengals who worked with schools to create a Girls High School Flag Football division in Greater Cincinnati.

"We are pleased that the OHSAA Board of Directors has approved the sanctioning of girls flag football as an OHSAA sponsored championship event," said Ute. "Flag football is growing rapidly and we look forward to working closer with teams, coaches and schools to help that growth. The Browns, Bengals and NFL have already put in so much work to promote the game and bring us to this moment to welcome girls flag football to the OHSAA."

Girls flag football will continue to be a spring sport. In May, the Bengals and Browns hosted the inaugural Girls High School Flag Football State Championship title at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium in Massillon, where the top four teams from both the Bengals and Browns divisions competed. Badin High School won the inaugural girls flag football state tournament over Willoughby South High School.

"Ohio becoming the latest state to sanction girls flag football is a testament to the strong growth and appeal of the sport," said Stephanie Kwok, NFL Vice President, Head of Flag Football. "This is an exciting time with 17 states having sanctioned girls flag football and we're thankful to the Browns, Bengals and OHSAA for their support in growing the sport."

"This is an incredible day for the state of Ohio, the sport of football and most importantly the young women who have dreamed of this moment," said Bengals Director of Strategy and Engagement Elizabeth Blackburn. "On behalf of the Cincinnati Bengals, I want to thank the Ohio High School Athletic Association, athletic directors, players, coaches, referees and every single advocate who helped make today possible. Flag football is more than a sport — it's a platform for teamwork, leadership, development and community. The Bengals are proud to support the growth of flag football and celebrate this historic milestone."

Dates for competition and the 2026 state tournament will be determined in the near future.

Visit www.bengals.com/community/girls-flag-football for more information on girls flag football and the work the Bengals are doing to help grow the game.