Texas UIL Approves Girls Flag Football Pilot Program: To Begin in 2028-29 With No More Than Two Classifications
Austin, Texas: The University Interscholastic League (UIL) Legislative Council voted on October 19 at its annual fall meeting in Austin to approve the development of a girls flag football pilot program, further establishing a path for the growing sport to become a sanctioned activity in Texas public high schools.
The pilot program is expected to begin in the 2028-29 school year and initially include no more than two classifications. It would include a state championship in each conference, with district, regional or other qualifying events. UIL staff will develop rules and guidelines, with an implementation plan to be presented at the June 2027 Legislative Council meeting; the timing of the season, competition format and other logistical details have yet to be determined, and the provisions take effect August 1, 2028.
A fall 2026 survey of Texas school district superintendents found that 52% of respondents from Class 5A and 6A schools favored sanctioning girls flag football, and 165 schools indicated they already participate in the sport. According to USA Today, more than 4,000 high school girls played across 220 schools during the spring 2026 season, and the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans hosted their inaugural state championship this past June, after four years of pilot programs and expansion. Hannah McNair, chief community officer of the Houston Texans Foundation, expects nearly 6,000 athletes to participate next year.
Nationally, girls flag football continues to gain momentum: 25 states are expected to have sanctioned the sport by the fall of 2027, with Oregon becoming the latest just last week. The sport will make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, and the NCAA has recommended making flag football a championship collegiate sport by 2028. (GSM, based on UIL Legislative Council proceedings and reporting by USA Today and other outlets)
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：女子腰旗橄榄球比赛资料图，球员持球进攻、腰间系彩旗。美国陆军官方照片（摄影：Laura Kreider），公有领域，取自 Wikimedia Commons。Photo: Women's flag football game (file photo). U.S. Army photo by Laura Kreider, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
