Girls Flag Football in Washington

Sanctioned Washington recognizes girls' flag football as a varsity sport with a state championship.

Is girls' flag football a varsity sport in Washington?

Yes. Girls' flag football is sanctioned by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA), with a state championship. First sanctioned season: 2025-26. Checked against WIAA's own materials on 2026-09-15.

Does Washington have girls' flag football?

Yes. High schools in Washington play girls' flag football as a WIAA-sanctioned sport.

When is girls' flag football season in Washington?

Schools choose one of three: spring (Feb-May), fall (Aug-Nov) or winter (Nov-Feb). From WIAA's own materials.

Can you play college flag football in Washington?

We have not yet found a varsity women's flag football program at a college in Washington. Our college list covers NAIA, NJCAA and NCAA programs nationwide.

The details

Governing body	Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA)
First sanctioned season	2025-26
Season	Schools choose one of three: spring (Feb-May), fall (Aug-Nov) or winter (Nov-Feb)
State championship	Yes, first held 2026
Rule set	NFHS with exceptions

Checked on 2026-09-15 against WIAA's association handbook.

Girls Flag Football is Article 39 of the WIAA Handbook. Washington is the only state we have verified that lets schools choose among three seasons: a main season running 22 February to 15 May 2027, or alternate seasons of 24 August to 14 November or 16 November to 7 February. Plays NFHS Flag Football Rules with exceptions; a 2026 amendment increased varsity running clock to thirty-minute halves. Contest limit is 16 plus a jamboree, with players capped at four halves a day and 32 a season. The Washington Officials Association registers flag football officials alongside the long-established sports. The WIAA Representative Assembly sanctioned the sport on 21 April 2025 — the first sport added since 1999 — effective 1 August 2025; the inaugural state championships were held 13-14 February 2026 at Federal Way Memorial Stadium (WIAA, https://www.wiaa.com/flag-25-26/).

College programmes in Washington

We have not yet checked a college women's flag football program based in Washington. See the programs we have checked in other states, or the college overview for the NAIA, NJCAA and NCAA timelines.

How states sanction the sport

Every association sets its own requirements before it adds a sport. Our guide to how states sanction girls' flag football compares them.

Where Washington fits nationally

23 states and the District of Columbia have sanctioned girls' flag football as a high school sport, by our count, and Washington is one of them. See the national tracker for every state, or why published counts differ.

Neighboring states

Idaho Not sanctioned
Oregon Sanctioned

Equipment rules in Washington

Headgear	Soft headwear only
Mouthguard	Required
Flags	Two, one solid color
Cleats	Up to ½ inch
Ball	Must meet NFHS guidelines; state final ball to be announced

From WIAA exceptions to NFHS flag football rules (2026-27). The NFHS rules apply where the state is silent — see equipment rules by state.

Funding for girls' flag football in Washington

Seattle Seahawks: More than $381,000 in grants from 2021 to 2024 and $200,000 more in 2025, taking the Seahawks' giving past $500,000 and helping launch more than 100 Washington teams. Grants are given through the year across the Seahawks' region (Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Hawaii and Idaho). Amounts per school vary: the first round gave $57,000 to 15 schools. Apply or register interest. (Seahawks, 21 Apr 2025)

National grants open to schools anywhere are in our directory of girls' flag football grants.