North Carolina sanctions girls high school flag football

North Carolina sanctioned girls high school flag football Wednesday, becoming the 22nd state (including Washington, D.C.) to offer it as an official high school sport. 

The Tar Heel State is now the fifth to sanction the sport in the past two weeks, following New Jersey, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Kansas. The motion to sanction it narrowly passed the North Carolina High School Athletic Associations board of directors, emerging victorious with a 9-8 vote.

After several years of play in pilot programs around the state - often backed by the Carolina Panthers - this official sanctioning means it will be recognized as a varsity sport on par with all other athletic offerings. It's inaugural season will be played during the 2026-27 school year.

Flag football is making its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles games, and the sport’s popularity has been exploding on the high school and college levels as that date inches closer. In addition to the 22 states that now offer it on an official level in high schools, numerous more across the country are offering it in pilot programs.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Girls high school flag football now sanctioned in North Carolina