If you still think of flag football as an elementary school P.E. game, you're decades behind. The sport, and girls flag football in particular, is the fastest growing high school sport today, according to the National Federation of State High School Associations
. In fact, an estimated 102,360 girls played high school flag football in 2025 to 2026, a 551 percent increase in just four years, per the report. And they're not stopping there.
40 NCAA schools are offering flag football as a collegiate sport, Team USA flag football is planning their debut at the LA 2028 Olympics, and now, the NFL and many of its players are investing in the sport — both in and out of the league. The rise of and investment in flag football makes sense, given its lower barrier to entry (not much equipment is needed) and decreased injury risk (e.g. the recently confirmed one in four rate of CTE among professional football players).
"One of the biggest misconceptions is that [flag football] is just a recreational sport. No, people can make genuine careers out of this," Team USA Flag Football captain Ashlea Klam previously told Popsugar in a recent interview.
Lamar Jackson, quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens, has had his fingers on the pulse of this game for years. The Florida native launched the Lady Dreamers flag football team in 2020 as an offshoot of his Forever Dreamers Foundation benefiting youth mental health awareness.
"Investing in the Lady Dreamers isn't just about teaching girls the game of football – it's about providing opportunities to lead, compete and believe in themselves," Jackson tells PS via email. "Playing team sports is one of the most significant things kids can do, because it builds character, confidence, and a sense of belonging. Every young girl who steps on that field is gaining something that will carry her far beyond football." The young women who play for Jackson's team will tell you this themselves.
"I was introduced to the game in middle school, and haven't stopped playing since. Flag football has taught me that no matter how hard the game might be, there's always a possibility to come back and win," says Aubrey G., a Florida high schooler and member of the Lady Dreamers.
Kassie H., another Lady Dreamer, found the sport in eighth grade and hasn't looked back. "My goal was to learn the game, and I ended up falling in love with it. I played other sports, but nothing hit home like football," she says. "Having someone like Lamar Jackson, who is so recognizable and accomplished on the biggest stage in the sport, supports the growth of the game is such a blessing. I currently play for my high school, and look forward to playing in college as well. My goal is to reach the Olympics in 2028, and represent my country."
The NFL is hoping to expand opportunities for these players even further, launching a full-time league for men and women with TMRW Sports, so that these athletes can play beyond the Olympics. Investors include NFL legends and active players, including Peyton Manning, Joe Montana, Tom Brady, Bobby Wagner, and Russell Wilson. Women's sports champions Billie Jean King, Ilana Kloss, Alex Morgan, and Serena Williams are also involved in the investment group.
"Flag football is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, and much of that growth is being driven by women and girls," says Brian Flinn, NFL SVP of Global Flag Football. The decision for the NFL to start a pro flag football league was not just an easy decision, but a crucial one, he tell PS. "The launch of a professional league is an important step in strengthening the flag football pathway, giving elite players more opportunities to compete, increasing visibility for the sport, and providing young athletes with something to aspire to," Flinn says.
Izzy Geraci, a team USA athlete and TMRW Sports pro flag football ambassador, never thought she'd see this day. "Being from Cleveland, I grew up watching the Browns and Buckeyes, which are originally what got me into playing tackle football. So football has always been a part of who I was," Geraci says.
After playing collegiate basketball, she rediscovered football through flag, which brought her back to the sport in a completely different way. "To go from discovering it, to representing Team USA, to having the opportunity to play in the Olympics, and now seeing a professional league being built by the NFL and TMRW Sports is surreal. It feels like a full-circle moment, and I'm beyond excited about what this next chapter represents for the sport."
Alexis Jones (she/her) is the section lead of the health and fitness verticals at Popsugar, overseeing coverage across the website, social media, and newsletters. In her eight-plus years of editorial experience, Alexis has developed passions for and expertise in mental health, women's health and fitness, racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare, and chronic conditions. Prior to joining PS, she was the senior editor at Health magazine. Her other bylines can be found at Women's Health, Prevention, Marie Claire, and more.
