Girls flag football is set to begin its inaugural sanctioned season in Spring 2027

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Oregon School Activities Association Delegate Assembly voted today to approve girls flag football as an officially sanctioned activity.

The decision makes Oregon the 25th state in the nation to sanction girls flag football.

The sport will begin its inaugural season as a sanctioned activity in Spring 2027 following two years as an emerging activity. Flag football is the second sport added through the OSAA emerging activity process, following boys volleyball in the 2025-26 school year. The addition comes after girls wrestling was sanctioned ahead of the 2023-24 association year.

Oregon joins western states Arizona, Calif., Nev. and Washington in sanctioning the sport. Girls flag football will also feature as an event at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

Participation in Oregon reached more than 1,400 players across 57 varsity teams last spring. Tualatin High School claimed the culminating event title by defeating South Salem 32-26 at Liberty High School. David Douglas, Central Christian, Amity and Gresham also earned trophies in the event. Tualatin later won the 2026 Best of the PNW Tournament in June.

The Seattle Seahawks have supported the sport's expansion in Oregon by donating $30,000, providing equipment to schools and supporting the culminating event for the past three seasons. Mario Bailey, vice president of community engagement and legends for the Seattle Seahawks, highlighted the organization's involvement.

“The Seahawks are proud to support the growth of girls flag football across our region and help create more opportunities for young women to compete and experience the game,” Bailey said. “We are thrilled to celebrate Oregon as the latest state to sanction the sport, an important milestone that will build a stronger future for girls flag football throughout the Pacific Northwest.”

Nike has pledged to provide home and away jerseys to all Oregon varsity teams competing in the inaugural season, as well as to any school that adds girls flag football during its first three seasons as a sanctioned activity. National growth efforts for the sport have also received support from the National Football League and USA Football.

The Oregon School Activities Association will release a plan book and official dates for the 2027 season at a later date.