Girls' flag football · LA28
Girls' flag football and the 2028 Olympics
The Olympic debut is a milestone for the sport. Here is what USA Football, state sanctioning, and college recruiting each mean for today's players and coaches.
What happens at LA28?
Flag football makes its Olympic debut in Los Angeles in 2028. LA28 lists a women's and a men's tournament with six teams in each. The Olympic format is five players per side on the field. The Olympic opportunity raises the sport's visibility; it does not itself create a recruiting offer or a place on a national team.
See LA28's event overviewWhat does USA Football do?
USA Football is the U.S. national governing body for football and selects and leads Team USA Football. Its rules and national-team pathway are separate from FlagPlay. FlagPlay helps families keep film, stats, and a recruiting profile together; using FlagPlay does not enter an athlete into USA Football selection.
Read USA Football's rules and team informationIs girls' flag football sanctioned in your state?
A state high school athletic association decides whether girls' flag football is a sanctioned school sport. Some states have approved a future season; others are running pilots or independent programs. These are different stages. Check the association's dated announcement and local eligibility rules before planning a school season.
Explore the state sanctioning mapThe college path is growing
In January 2026, the NCAA added women's flag football to its Emerging Sports for Women program. That is a growth pathway for varsity programs, not a promise of an NCAA championship or scholarship. NAIA, NJCAA, and individual colleges may have different current opportunities and contact rules. Check each program directly.
What athletes and coaches can do now
- Confirm your state's current school-season status and eligibility rules.
- Capture full plays and make a short reel that clearly identifies the athlete.
- Record position, graduation year, and stats with their source.
- Share an athlete profile only with the family's consent; check each college program's contact rules.
FlagPlay is an independent recruiting platform. It is not affiliated with LA28, USA Football, the NCAA, or a state athletic association.