More high school girls are taking up flag football. As its popularity increases, more opportunities are arising for the athletes.

The Ohio High School Athletic Association announced on Thursday 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,

In May, the Browns and Bengals hosted the inaugural Girls High School Flag Football State Championship at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium in Massillon, where the top four teams from both the Browns and Bengals divisions competed. Hamilton Badin High School won the inaugural championship over Willoughby South.