WESTFIELD — High school girls flag football in Indiana has reached a landmark benchmark toward becoming a fully recognized, championship-sanctioned high school sport after surpassing 100 participating programs statewide.
The Indianapolis Colts and the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) announced Sunday that the team’s “Road to 100” initiative has successfully recruited 108 high school teams across more than 50 Hoosier cities and towns. The announcement was made during the final day of the NFL FLAG Championships hosted at Grand Park in Westfield.
Reaching 100 participating schools satisfies the primary requirement for an “emerging sport” to become eligible for full sanctioning under IHSAA rules.
Rapid Statewide Expansion
Girls flag football has experienced explosive growth across Indiana in a relatively short timeframe:
- 2023: Launched as a pilot league with 8 teams.
- 2024: Expanded to 27 teams, earning official IHSAA “emerging sport” status (which requires at least 20 participating schools).
- 2025: Grew to 78 teams statewide.
- 2026: Surpassed the target with 108 teams committed across Indiana.
To accelerate participation, the Irsay family and the Indianapolis Colts invested $1 million into the “Road to 100” campaign. Because start-up expenses for high school programs typically range from $5,000 to $8,000 for uniforms, equipment, and coaching stipends, the Colts offered grants of up to $10,000 per school to offset launching costs.
Leaders React to Milestone
“Girls flag football provides another pathway for girls to learn, play, and love our great sport, as well as all the other opportunities and benefits that come from playing youth sports and being a part of a team,” said Kalen Jackson, Colts Owner & Chief Brand Officer. “The Colts are proud to help lead this effort to make football more accessible and inclusive for all, and this is only the beginning for girls flag in Indiana.”
IHSAA Commissioner Paul Neidig praised the collaborative effort and investment:
“Reaching more than 100 participating schools is a tremendous milestone for girls flag football in Indiana and it reflects the growing enthusiasm for the sport across our state,” Neidig said. “We appreciate the Colts for their vision, leadership, and investment in creating new opportunities for young women. This achievement marks an important step in the IHSAA’s process toward potential championship recognition, and we look forward to seeing the continued growth of girls flag football in Indiana.”
What Comes Next?
Now that the 100-school threshold has been met, the IHSAA Board of Directors can evaluate the sport for full sanctioning and official state championship recognition.
A formal vote by the IHSAA Board of Directors to officially sanction girls flag football as a state-recognized sport could take place as early as May 2027.
