The Indiana High School Athletic Association, together with the Indianapolis Colts and the National Football League, marked a historic moment this week as they announced that girls flag football has crossed the 100‑team threshold required for full sanctioning.
A Milestone Reached
The celebration underscores the rapid growth of the sport, which has moved from just eight teams in 2023 to an anticipated 78 teams by the next season, while also launching its first state championship tournament last year.
Central to the effort is the Colts' Road to 100 campaign, funded by the Jim Irsay Family, which has contributed a $1 million grant to cover equipment, uniforms, coaching salaries and a free officiating training program for roughly 500 referees.
Funding the Future
Kalen Jackson, the Colts' owner and Chief Brand Officer, highlighted that the investment not only accelerates participation but also ensures that schools receive the resources needed to field competitive teams.
The sport's no‑contact format differentiates it from traditional tackle football, emphasizing player safety while still delivering a full varsity experience.
A Path to the Olympics
Indiana's flag football program is on track to become an NCAA championship sport across all three divisions, and its inclusion in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles signals a national breakthrough.
NFL Senior Vice President of Global Flag Football Brian Flinn emphasized that official sanctioning provides the governance, compliance frameworks and health‑safety standards essential for the sport's continued expansion.
Schools across Indiana that are still interested in starting a girls flag football team can apply for remaining funds to offset startup costs, ensuring that the momentum generated by the Road to 100 initiative endures.