A Milestone for Girls Flag Football
On Monday, June 8, the Minnesota Vikings will open the doors of TCO Stadium to the state’s top high school girls flag football squads, marking the first-ever championship game for the sport in Minnesota. The event brings together thirteen qualifying schools in a celebration of competition, community, and the Vikings’ commitment to expanding opportunities for young athletes.
The tournament will feature a diverse lineup of teams, including Centennial, Cretin‑Derham Hall, Eden Prairie, La Crescent‑Hokah, Minneapolis, Washburn, Minnetonka, Park Cottage Grove, Rogers, Rosemount, St. Louis Park, St. Cloud Tech, Waterville‑Elysian‑Morristown, and White Bear Lake. Each program earned its spot through a successful 2025 season that saw 51 teams battle for the inaugural title, ultimately won by the Mahtomedi Zephyrs.
Admission to the championship is free, and fans can claim tickets through Vikings.com. All games will be streamed live on StribVarsity, allowing viewers across the state to follow the action in real time. The championship match is scheduled to kick off at 6 p.m., promising a finale that blends high‑stakes play with a festive atmosphere.
From Pilot to Full‑Scale League
The 2025 season served as a proof of concept, drawing enough interest to justify a league‑wide expansion for 2026. With 104 schools now participating, the Vikings’ flag football initiative has moved beyond a pilot program to a fully integrated component of the state’s high school sports landscape. The league’s growth reflects both the enthusiasm of student‑athletes and the support of local communities.
Beyond the field, the championship underscores a broader cultural shift toward gender‑inclusive sports programming. By highlighting girls flag football on a platform traditionally dominated by professional men’s football, the Vikings are helping to rewrite the narrative around women’s athletics in the region.