Girls flag football is officially sanctioned as a varsity high school sport, following a vote Monday, Oct. 12, at a meeting of the Oregon School Activities Association, the governing body of Oregon high school sports.

The sport spent two years — the minimum period — as an emerging activity before reaching sanctioned status. Its first season will begin in spring 2027. Oregon, the 25th state to approve the sport for varsity high school play, also approved boys volleyball through the emerging sport process in 2025-26.

Per OSAA rules, emerging sports must have a minimum of 25 member schools to reach emerging status — 57 varsity teams participated in girls flag football last spring. They must also go through a two-year provisional period before a vote (such as Monday’s) on whether to sanction, hold in provisional status or remove it from the list.

Girls flag football was approved as an emerging sport in October 2024, and completed its provisional period this year.

Flag football for both men and women will be added as an event to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

In a press release, OSAA said that Nike has committed to provide jersey sets for schools that establish a program in the next three years or compete in the 2027 spring season. Dates for the season have not yet been established.