We are almost halfway there. Rhode Island became the 24th state in the nation on Monday officially sanction girls’ flag football as a varsity sport. Washington, DC officially sanctioned the sport, continuing its massive expansion around the world.
The Rhode Island Interscholastic League (RIIL) officially sanctioned girls flag football just months after a successful New England Patriots-supported trial season that showcased the sport’s potential in Rhode Island. The NFL club played a key role in a 10-team spring pilot season with 440 student-athletes. Saint Raphael Academy won the season-ending championship tournament.
With Monday’s announcement, the RIIL now begins planning for a full variety season with a true state championship to be held in the spring of 2027.
The sport’s momentum matches broader national trends: flag football will debut as an Olympic sport at the 2028 Los Angeles Gamesand the NCAA recommended that it become a collegiate sport by 2028, while approving funding for a championship.
