High school girls’ flag football has officially become a state-sanctioned sport in Pennsylvania, thanks to the joint efforts of the Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA).
The historic decision, announced at the PIAA Board of Directors meeting in Mechanicsburg on Wednesday, marks the recognition of girls’ flag football as a championship-level sport in the Commonwealth.
The move follows a review process that required at least 100 participating teams statewide. With 65 teams from eastern Pennsylvania and 36 from the western side, the threshold was met, and the sport was approved for full sanctioning.
“We’re thrilled that we can offer another opportunity for girls to participate in interscholastic athletics,” said PIAA President Frank Majikes. “This is the second girls’ sport in two years to be approved. The next step is developing a rules book for the sport by January 2025 and structuring the championship process for the 2025-26 school year.”
Eagles and Steelers Leading the Way
The sanctioning is the result of a three-year collaboration between the Eagles and Steelers, who have worked diligently to promote and grow girls’ flag football. Both teams played pivotal roles in expanding the sport at the youth level, providing resources, education, and equipment to encourage participation.
“This is not just an important day for the Eagles and Steelers, but for the sport of football and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” said Jeffrey Lurie, Chairman & CEO of the Philadelphia Eagles. “The sport’s organic growth is a credit to the participants, administrators, coaches, and parents who helped raise its profile.”
Art Rooney II, President of the Pittsburgh Steelers, echoed the sentiment: “We are excited to see such a groundbreaking moment for the future of girls’ flag football. It’s been an incredible journey working with the Eagles to make this a reality, and we can’t wait to see the sport grow even further.”
Building a Legacy
The Eagles and Steelers launched their girls’ flag football programs in 2022, with both leagues expanding rapidly over the last three seasons. The Eagles Girls’ Flag League now boasts over 1,600 players from 65 teams, while the Steelers Girls’ Flag Football League has grown to 36 schools.
Both teams have invested heavily in promoting the sport. The Eagles hosted learn-to-play clinics, coaching seminars, and jamborees, as well as organizing flag football championships at high-profile venues like Lincoln Financial Field. In addition, the team introduced FLY, a sports bra initiative designed to support young female athletes, distributing 30,000 sports bras across the Greater Philadelphia area.
The Steelers have hosted similar events, including their annual “Steelers Showcase Game of the Week” and Steelers Flag Jamborees. The team also held a special uniform unveiling at Acrisure Stadium and a college showcase to highlight rising talent.
Looking Ahead
With the official sanctioning, the PIAA will now work on formalizing the framework for girls’ flag football, with the goal of introducing a state championship by the 2025-26 school year. The Eagles and Steelers will continue to play a vital role in fostering the sport’s growth, partnering with the NFL Foundation, USA Football, and corporate sponsors to provide funding, uniforms, and equipment to schools across the state