TOPEKA, Kan. — Girls flag football will become an official Kansas State High School Activities Association-sanctioned sport beginning with the 2026-27 school year after the KSHSAA Board of Directors approved the measure Thursday.
Kansas becomes the 18th state to sanction girls flag football, which will be played in the fall.
“This is a great day for the KSHSAA as our leadership board took decisive action by approving the expansion of program offerings to include girls flag football,” KSHSAA Executive Director Bill Faflick said. “We appreciate the leadership of the Board of Directors, who faithfully serve and reflect the desires of membership in these important decisions. The KSHSAA also appreciates the support of the Kansas City Chiefs and other stakeholders who helped bring girls flag football to Kansas.”
Girls flag football joins more than two dozen sports and activities already offered by KSHSAA member schools. The sport has been played at the club level in Kansas since 2021, and 28 high schools piloted programs last year with an average roster size of 24 athletes.
Under the new format, high school teams will be allowed to play six to 10 regular-season games before concluding with a KSHSAA state tournament. Middle school teams will be limited to a maximum of six games in a season.
The proposal was submitted by the Greater Wichita Athletic League and brought forward by board members Sara Richardson and Chris Asmussen.
Girls flag football operates under its own National Federation of State High School Associations rulebook. KSHSAA assistant executive director Mark Lentz has served on the NFHS rules writing committee, and assistant executive director Jeremy Holaday will take his place following Lentz’s retirement July 1.
KSHSAA officials said additional details on classifications, state tournament format and implementation guidelines will be shared with member schools in the coming months.