Starting this fall, the Illinois High School Association will crown high school girls’ flag high school football champs. Earlier this week, the IHSA officially sanctioned the sport and celebrated the announcement with a news conference (watch below) at Halas Hall, the Chicago Bears training facility.
The National Football League team has been spearheading the growth of the sport.
“The official sanctioning of girls’ flag football in the State of Illinois is exciting news. Next year, we will witness a state championship in the sport. By providing opportunities for talented girls and women, we will be able to follow some of the world’s best athletes competing on local, national and international platforms, leading to the 2028 Summer Olympics,” said Chicago Bears President & CEO Kevin Warren. “The Chicago Bears remain committed to aggressively championing the growth of girls’ flag football. This is the beginning, but access and equity begin with these historical first moments that make the Chicago Bears, and me personally, inspired for the future of girls’ flag football for generations to come.”
“The Chicago Public League (CPL) is thrilled that High School Girls Flag Football is now an IHSA-sanctioned sport.” said David Rosengard, Executive Director of Sports Administration at Chicago Public Schools.” It is amazing to see the rapid growth of the sport across the state, as what started as an inaugural league in partnership with Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Bears has now expanded to over 100 participating teams and IHSA sanctioning. We cannot thank the Bears, IHSA and our CPL leagues enough for what they have done to pioneer this sport in the city and state.”
The CPL conducted a postseason tourney in 2021, which was won by Back of the Yards High School. The CPL and Chicago Bears then joined together to host a state championship event at Halas Hall in 2022 and 2023, with Willowbrook High School and Lane Tech High School winning state championships, respectively.
The IHSA says over 100 schools will compete in the first season, with another 40 interested in joining for 2025. The inaugural IHSA Girls Flag Football State Finals will take place on October 11 and 12.
