It’s Official: Girls’ Flag Football is a sanctioned sports for Maryland high schools

WASHINGTON (7News) — Maryland is adding another championship sports to high schools. The Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA) officially sanctioned girls’ flag football as the 26th championship sport for the state.

The season will begin on the first day of the 2026 fall sports practice day on August 12.

MPSSAA Executive Director Andy Warner called the unanimous vote a landmark moment, “This is a historic day for our student-athletes and the sport of girls’ flag football.”

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“The growth of girls’ flag football demonstrates its inclusive reach to our female student-athletes, providing opportunities for teamwork and leadership in an equitable sporting environment. We are thrilled to see these young women compete for state titles and showcase their talents under the lights of our high school stadiums.”

The interest in girls football began in January 2021, and took hold in 2023 with a 10-team pilot season in Frederick County. By 2026, 66% of the schools in Maryland fielded teams playing flag football (132 projected teams).

The Baltimore Ravens led the way with financial and structural aid in 2021, with the Washington Commanders aiding it’s local counties Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties starting during the 2025-2026 athletic season.

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“The momentum generated since the launch of our girls’ flag football pilot program in 2023 has led to this landmark sanctioning announcement. I want to acknowledge our partners at the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association and Under Armour for their continued commitment to this shared vision,” Ravens president Sashi Brown said in a statement. “We set out to create meaningful and equitable opportunities for girls to participate in football across the state, and now, we are seeing that vision realized. We know that today’s young female athletes will be prepared to become tomorrow’s leaders.”

The Ravens have provided over $1 million in funding. Baltimore-based Under Armour, with the Ravens provided uniforms to each participating county since the beginning of the project.