On Sept. 18, the PIAA declared high school girls’ flag football an officially sanctioned sport in Pennsylvania. This decision comes on a third and final reading, of which the PIAA Board of Directors approved the decision by a unanimous vote, 32-0. 

“We’re thrilled that we can offer another opportunity for girls to participate interscholastic athletics,” PIAA president Frank Majikes said in a statement.

In 2023, girls’ flag football was declared an “emerging sport” in Pennsylvania. 

Pennsylvania’s two NFL franchises, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, played a massive role in the growth of girls’ flag football. 

“We are excited to see such a groundbreaking moment for the future of girls’ flag football, Art Rooney II, the president of the Steelers, said in a statement. “It has been great working with the Eagles to accomplish a successful ruling that will now give young girls the chance to compete at a state level. We look forward to seeing how girls’ flag football continues to grow in Pennsylvania and worldwide.”

Scott Seltzer, executive director of the WPIAL, talked about the Steelers helped grow the game.

“This initiative is part of the NFL, and the Steelers have been instrumental in starting the program in our area,” Seltzer said. 

Seltzer also talked about areas in the PIAA where you can find the most girls’ flag football teams.

“The WPIAL, and District’s 1 and 12 in the Philadelphia area, have the most teams,” Selzter said. 

The 2025-2026 school year will be the first official year girls’ flag football, as the rulebook is still being adopted and developed.