How Girls' Flag Football Became One of the NFL's Biggest Growth Opportunities
Girls' flag football is booming across America, and the NFL is investing in a future that stretches from high school fields to the Olympics.
Athletes World
• Girls' flag football is one of America's fastest-growing high school sports, with the NFL investing in new opportunities for young female athletes, from school programs to Olympic competition.
The NFL has spent decades turning football into America's biggest spectator sport. Now, one of its most promising opportunities involves a group that traditionally had fewer chances to play: girls.
And they are joining in record numbers.
During the 2025–26 school year, more than 102,000 girls played high school flag football in the United States, a nearly 49% increase from the previous year. Four years earlier, fewer than 16,000 participated.
What was once largely a recreational activity has become one of the fastest-growing high school sports in the country. (NFHS, 2026)
And they are joining in record numbers.
During the 2025–26 school year, more than 102,000 girls played high school flag football in the United States, a nearly 49% increase from the previous year. Four years earlier, fewer than 16,000 participated.
What was once largely a recreational activity has become one of the fastest-growing high school sports in the country. (NFHS, 2026)
