Girls Flag Football in Indiana
Pilot Indiana has organized play without a formal sanctioning vote.
Is girls' flag football a varsity sport in Indiana?
Not yet as a fully sanctioned sport. The Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) recognizes organized high school play — as an emerging, pilot or association-run event — without having formally adopted girls' flag football as a sanctioned sport. Next decision: IHSAA, May 2027 (expected, per reporting). Checked against IHSAA's own materials on 2026-09-15.
Does Indiana have girls' flag football?
Yes. High schools in Indiana play girls' flag football in IHSAA-recognized programs that are not yet fully sanctioned. The season is played in fall.
When is girls' flag football season in Indiana?
Fall. From IHSAA's own materials.
Can you play college flag football in Indiana?
Yes. We have checked 3 varsity women's flag football programs at colleges in Indiana: Indiana Wesleyan University (NAIA), Purdue University Northwest (NCAA D-II), University of Saint Francis (NAIA). Each is confirmed from its conference's, college's or governing body's own pages.
The details
| Governing body | Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) |
|---|---|
| Season | Fall |
Checked on 2026-09-15 against IHSAA's association board meeting summary.
The IHSAA Board of Directors voted 17-1 in May 2025 to add girls flag football to its Emerging Sports Process, as a fall sport. Under that process a sport becomes officially recognised, with an IHSAA state tournament, once 100 or more member schools take part; the IHSAA has 409 members. The IHSAA runs an Emerging Girls Flag Football page. The Indianapolis Colts, which fund the programme, reported 108 participating schools in July 2026, and reporting says a sanctioning vote is expected in May 2027. IHSAA abbreviation collides with Idaho.
College programmes in Indiana
Varsity women's flag football programmes based in Indiana, checked against conference or school sources:
- Indiana Wesleyan University — NAIA, Mid-South
- Purdue University Northwest — NCAA D-II, GLIAC
- University of Saint Francis — NAIA, Mid-South
See all checked college programmes.
What's coming up in Indiana
- May 2027 — Decision: Sanctioning vote expected, after girls flag football passed the IHSAA's 100-school threshold for an emerging sport. (reported)
Every scheduled vote and first season nationwide is on the upcoming decisions calendar.
How states sanction the sport
Our guide explains how Indiana's association handles new sports, alongside the rules other states use.
Where Indiana fits nationally
23 states and the District of Columbia have sanctioned girls' flag football as a high school sport, by our count. See the national tracker for every state, or why published counts differ.
Neighboring states
Funding for girls' flag football in Indiana
- Indianapolis Colts (Road to 100): A $1 million commitment from the Irsay family to launch 100 teams. Schools that joined received up to $10,000 each toward launch costs, which the Colts say typically run $5,000 to $8,000. The goal was passed with 108 teams in 2026, and the Colts say startup funds are still available. Apply or register interest. (Colts, 26 Jul 2026)
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