As the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics draw nearer, flag football is experiencing an explosive surge in popularity—especially among high school girls. With its Olympic debut on the horizon, more states than ever are officially recognizing girls flag football as a varsity sport, complete with state championships and all the prestige that comes with it.

While Florida has been crowning girls flag football state champions for decades, the real growth story is happening now. Since 2019, 17 states have jumped on board, often with enthusiastic backing from local NFL teams. New Jersey became the latest to sanction the sport in early May, joining a rapidly expanding list.

As of May, a total of 19 states plus Washington, D.C. have made girls flag football an official high school sport. This sanctioning means it's no longer just a club or pilot program—it's a fully recognized varsity sport with official state champions and potential inclusion in the USA TODAY Sports flag football Super 25 rankings.

It's worth noting that in many of these states, informal play at the high school level began before the official sanctioning year. The sport's momentum is undeniable, and with the Olympics just a few years away, the trend shows no signs of slowing down.