Girls Flag Football in District of Columbia
Sanctioned District of Columbia recognizes girls' flag football as a varsity sport with a state championship.
Is girls' flag football a varsity sport in the District of Columbia?
Yes. Girls' flag football is sanctioned by the District of Columbia State Athletic Association (DCSAA), with a state championship. First sanctioned season: 2026-27. Checked against DCSAA's own materials on 2026-09-15.
Does the District of Columbia have girls' flag football?
Yes. High schools in the District of Columbia play girls' flag football as a DCSAA-sanctioned sport. The season is played in spring.
When is girls' flag football season in the District of Columbia?
Spring. From DCSAA's own materials.
Can you play college flag football in the District of Columbia?
Yes. We have checked 1 varsity women's flag football program at colleges in the District of Columbia: Gallaudet University (NCAA D-III). Each is confirmed from its conference's, college's or governing body's own pages.
The details
| Governing body | District of Columbia State Athletic Association (DCSAA) |
|---|---|
| First sanctioned season | 2026-27 |
| Season | Spring |
| State championship | Yes |
| Rule set | NFHS |
Checked on 2026-09-15 against DCSAA's association sport page.
DCSAA announced on 26 April 2026, at a 2027 NFL Draft event on the National Mall, that girls' flag football has been added as a state championship sport (https://www.dcsaasports.com/dcsaa-sanctions-girls-flag-footballas-state-championship-sport/). A record 26 D.C. high schools fielded teams in spring 2026, and the top teams played the third annual DCSAA Flag Football Invitational on 26 May 2026 — an invitational, not yet a state championship, though DCSAA's schedule page listed it as a Flag Football Championship. The first championship season is therefore expected in spring 2027. NFHS rules apply to DCSAA regular season, postseason and championships unless otherwise noted. DCSAA is a District government body rather than a private association, and is counted separately from the 50 states.
College programmes in District of Columbia
Varsity women's flag football programmes based in District of Columbia, checked against conference or school sources:
- Gallaudet University — NCAA D-III, United East
See all checked college programmes.
What's coming up in District of Columbia
- Spring 2027 — First championship: First season with girls flag football as a DCSAA state championship sport, after the April 2026 announcement. Earlier D.C. events were invitationals. (association source)
Every scheduled vote and first season nationwide is on the upcoming decisions calendar.
How states sanction the sport
Our guide explains how District of Columbia's association handles new sports, alongside the rules other states use.
Where District of Columbia fits nationally
23 states and the District of Columbia have sanctioned girls' flag football as a high school sport, by our count, and District of Columbia is one of them. See the national tracker for every state, or why published counts differ.
Neighboring states
Funding for girls' flag football in District of Columbia
- Washington Commanders: More than $1 million over two years from August 2025 for 127 programs: 25 in D.C., 51 in Virginia and 51 in Maryland (with the Ravens). Each program receives financial support, 25 Nike uniforms and an NFL flag kit. Run through school districts; no open application found. (Commanders, 4 Aug 2025)
National grants open to schools anywhere are in our directory of girls' flag football grants.
More on girls' flag football
- How to start a girls' flag football team
- Grants and NFL club funding for girls' flag football
- Girls' flag football state champions, every state
- Women's flag football scholarships by division
- Flag football at the 2028 Olympics: where high school fits
- High school girls' flag football rules: the FAQ
- Equipment rules by state: headgear, mouthguards, flags, cleats
- How many girls play flag football, by state
- The sanctioning timeline, state by state
- When girls' flag football season is played in each state
- How the rules differ from state to state
- The pathway from high school to college
- Every state and the District of Columbia