The Indiana High School Athletic Association has approved girls flag football as an “emerging sport.” Monday’s announcement means that the sport has taken its first step toward becoming a fully sanctioned high school sport in the Hoosier State.
The driving force behind the push is the National Football League’s Indianapolis Colts, who earlier this year launched the Road To 100, the team’s initiative to support and sustain the launch of 100 high school girls teams in Indiana in 2025.
Congrats to the Indiana High School Athletic Association @IHSAA1 —-approving girls flag football as an “emerging sport,” the first step toward becoming a fully sanctioned high school sport in Indiana. 👏👍🏈
— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) May 5, 2025
“The growth of girls flag football has accelerated greatly over the past few years, from little league to high school to all the way to the 2028 Olympics,” said Kalen Jackson, Colts Vice Chair & Owner. “We’re grateful to the IHSAA for continuing this momentum and opening more opportunities for girls and women athletes across Indiana.”
The Colts created the Colts Girls High School Flag Football League in 2023 with eight teams from Indianapolis and South Bend, Ind. In 2024, the league expanded to 27 teams, qualifying to be voted on as an emerging sport. To become eligible as a sanctioned sport, 100 schools must compete while in emerging sport status.
To reach this goal, the Colts launched the “Road to 100” – with a $1 million investment from the Jim Irsay family – to support and sustain the launch of 100 girls teams in 2025.
Costs associated with launching a team typically range from $5,000 to $8,000 to fund equipment, uniforms, training and coaching stipends. To help offset that cost, the Colts will invest up to $10,000 each in the schools that join the Road to 100.
To date, 65 high schools have committed to field a team in 2025. Schools and communities interested in fielding a team can visit Colts.com/GirlsFlag.
Colts Girls Flag Football is fueled by Gatorade and sponsored in part by Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital. The Colts have prioritized flag football development to introduce the game to new players and fans, especially girls, who traditionally have not had the same opportunities to learn and play the game as boys.
Last month, the state of Washington became the 15th state to officially sanction girls’ flag football as a championship varsity sport.
