NJSIAA Approves Girls Flag Football as Varsity Sport
The following news was first reported by Varsity Aces on X.
Girls flag football is officially here to stay in New Jersey.
The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) overwhelmingly approved the sport, granting it full varsity status beginning in 2027. The measure passed by a decisive 311–18 vote among member schools.
The decision will bring several significant changes, including the addition of a postseason state tournament, which is expected to follow a group-based format similar to other NJSIAA sports. Another major shift is that athletes will now be required to choose between flag football and other spring sports, as NJSIAA regulations permit participation in only one varsity sport per season.
The sport’s growth has been substantial, with 29 programs competing in the Shore Conference this season alone.
With the approval, flag football becomes the 35th varsity sport sanctioned by the NJSIAA, and New Jersey joins 19 other states nationwide in officially recognizing girls flag football.
