The Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA) announced on April 24 that girls’ flag football has been officially sanctioned as the state’s 26th championship sport. The decision follows a unanimous vote by the MPSSAA Board of Control and approval from Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Carey Wright, with implementation set for the 2026-2027 academic year.
This move is significant because it transitions girls’ flag football from an emerging status to a fully recognized varsity state championship, providing new opportunities for female student-athletes across Maryland high schools.
The inaugural season will feature three separate state championship classification tournaments based on school enrollment. The season is scheduled to begin on August 12 and conclude with state championships at M&T Bank Stadium in mid-November. “This is a historic day for our student-athletes and the sport of girls’ flag football,” said Andy Warner, MPSSAA Executive Director. “The growth of girls’ flag football demonstrates its inclusive reach to our female student-athletes, providing opportunities for teamwork and leadership in an equitable sporting environment. We are thrilled to see these young women compete for state titles and showcase their talents under the lights of our high school stadiums.”
The decision comes after several years of partnership between MPSSAA and the Baltimore Ravens, who began working together in January 2021 to develop a sustainable competitive framework for the sport. The pilot season launched in 2023 with ten teams; participation has since grown rapidly—projected to reach about two-thirds of all MPSSAA-member schools by 2026, surpassing regulatory requirements.
Ravens president Sashi Brown said, “This is a significant day for both the Baltimore Ravens and the entire state of Maryland… We set out to create meaningful and equitable opportunities for girls to participate in football across the state, and now, we are seeing that vision realized. We know that today’s young female athletes will be prepared to become tomorrow’s leaders.” Financial support from both professional teams—the Ravens provided over $1 million plus uniforms through Under Armour—and additional backing from Washington Commanders helped expand participation further.
To celebrate this milestone, student-athletes from early participating school systems were invited by the Ravens to attend festivities at this year’s NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.
Further information about Girls’ Flag Football’s inaugural championship season will be made available on www.mpssaa.org.
