The Minnesota State High School League’s board of directors has put off a vote that would give girls flag football an emerging‑status designation, choosing instead to collect additional feedback from member schools.
A Delayed Decision
While the proposal remains on hold, the league notes that the sport has already attracted 51 teams and nearly 1,800 participants this year, with projections of more than double that number next season. The Minnesota Vikings have pledged over $2 million to help grow the game, a commitment that has already helped launch the state’s first high‑school flag league.
The board also used the meeting to approve eSports and girls team wrestling, signaling a broader push to diversify extracurricular offerings. Leaders say the next likely step will not arrive until the October 2026 gathering, when a clearer model for full sanctioning may emerge.
What’s Next?
Behind the scenes, the Minnesota High School Girls Flag Advisory Council — comprising administrators, athletic directors and coaches — continues to refine a governance framework that would hand over eligibility rules, registration processes, insurance and a league liaison to the MSHSL if the sport gains official status.
Beyond Minnesota, the flag football movement is spreading into neighboring states such as Iowa, North Dakota and South Dakota, as well as into the broader 22‑state footprint that already includes Washington, D.C. Advocates argue the rapid expansion reflects a national trend toward offering more girls‑focused athletic opportunities.