Big news out of the Bluegrass State: Kentucky has officially joined the growing movement to sanction girls flag football as a high school championship sport. The Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) Board of Control voted 15-2 on Wednesday to approve the sport for the 2027-28 season, making Kentucky the 23rd state in the nation to take this exciting step.

This decision comes on the same day that North Carolina became the 22nd state to sanction girls flag football, highlighting a rapid national trend. Other recent additions include Maryland, Washington D.C., New Jersey, and Kansas, all of which have approved the sport in recent months. The full list of 23 states now includes Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Washington.

And it's not just about flag football—the KHSAA also approved pickleball as a championship sport, set to begin in the same 2027-28 season.

The growth of girls flag football has been nothing short of remarkable. According to NFHS Network data, participation surged to nearly 69,000 athletes during the 2024-25 school year, and the sport is quickly becoming a staple varsity offering across the country. For Kentucky high school football fans eager to track scores and stats, staying connected to the action has never been easier, with real-time updates and final scores now available for games across the state.

Whether you're a player, coach, or fan, this is a game-changing moment for high school sports—and we can't wait to see the impact on the field and beyond.