At an IHSA Board of Directors meeting Feb. 5 the board approved a girls’ flag football State series for the 2024 season. Girls’ flag football is the latest sport to move from a club to getting its own IHSA State series.

“It is important for the IHSA to continue to adapt to the interests of our students and schools,” Notre Dame College Prep Principal and President of the IHSA Board of Directors Dan Tully said at the official announcement. “Girls Flag Football is somewhat unprecedented in terms of its growth and timeline for achieving an IHSA State Series. We are enthusiastic about how much has been accomplished in such a short amount of time, and expect that participation will continue to increase in the years ahead.”

Over 100 schools have expressed their interest in participating in the 2024 IHSA girls’ flag football State series. The Chicago Public League conducted a postseason tournament in 2021, and 2022 and 2023 they hosted a girls’ flag football championship tournament in partnership with the Chicago Bears.

“The official sanctioning of girls’ flag football in the State of Illinois is exciting news. Next year, we will witness a state championship in the sport. By providing opportunities for talented girls and women, we will be able to follow some of the world’s best athletes competing on local, national, and international platforms, leading to the 2028 Summer Olympics,” Chicago Bears President & CEO Kevin Warren said at the official announcement. “The Chicago Bears remain committed to aggressively championing the growth of girls’ flag football.  This is the beginning, but access and equity begin with these historical first moments that make the Chicago Bears, and me personally, inspired for the future of girls’ flag football for generations to come.”