CA Drives Explosive Growth In Girls Flag Football: Report

One sport has become one of the fastest-growing games in high school athletics, and California is leading the charge.

Nearly 30 percent of all high school girls flag football players in the United States are in California, where 19,921 girls took the field in 2024. That marks an 84 percent increase from the year prior, making it one of the fastest-growing high school sports in the state, according to SFGATE.

The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) only sanctioned girls flag football in 2023, after a small trial program with 689 players, SFGATE noted. By the fall of that year, more than 10,800 girls had signed up, instantly surpassing participation levels in established sports such as golf, badminton and lacrosse.

Schools have been working quickly to build programs to meet demand.

In 2024, the North Coast Section hosted its first-ever championship, which Alameda High School won, according to SFGATE. Alameda coach Michael Lee credited his team’s success to players who came from a variety of sporting backgrounds.

“When we first started, I will say that we were a little bit blessed,” Lee told SFGATE. “We had some all-league softball players, soccer players and all of the basketball players come out.”

The school now supports middle school programs, spring leagues and even a travel team, SFGATE reported.

Much of the sport’s rapid growth has been propelled by the NFL and former professional players, SFGATE said. NFL Flag has boosted the sport’s visibility, while big names such as Steve Young, Drew Brees and Matt Leinart have launched leagues and promoted flag football across the nation. Leinart’s leagues alone grew from about 600 girls in 2020 to more than 8,000 in 2025, the newspaper reported.

With momentum showing no signs of slowing, schools are already adding JV and freshman teams while CIF explores expanded playoff opportunities, SFGATE reported. CIF Executive Director Ron Nocetti told SFGATE he would not be surprised if girls flag football one day surpasses tackle football in the number of schools that offer it.

“I don’t think anyone assumed it would grow this quickly,” Nocetti said.

Read more in SFGATE: The 84% Calif. high school sports jump that has everyone scrambling