Indianapolis – The Indianapolis Colts today celebrated the kickoff of the first high school girls flag football postseason, which begins today.
Fall 2025 was the first season of girls flag as an "emerging sport" in Indiana, the first step toward becoming an IHSAA-sanctioned sport. This fall, 78 teams competed across Indiana.
As part of this first postseason, eight high schools across the state will host sectional tournaments:
• East Noble Sectional – Oct. 8 & 11
• Fort Wayne Northside Sectional – Oct. 9 & 11
• Harrison (WL) Sectional – Oct. 11
• Lawrence North Sectional – Oct. 11 & 14
• Michigan City Sectional – Oct. 11
• Munster Sectional – Oct. 8 & 11
• Terre Haute North/South Sectional – Oct. 11
• Warren Central Sectional – Oct. 11
Tournament brackets and game schedules are available at Colts.com/GirlsFlag.
The Colts will host the sectionals winners for the 2025 State Finals at Grand Park Sport Campus in Westfield, Ind., on Oct. 18.
"The first season of high school girls flag football was an incredible success, and this first-ever postseason will continue this momentum across Indiana," said Kalen Jackson, Colts Owner & Chief Brand Officer. "The Colts are proud to support these trailblazing student-athletes, and we look forward to working with the IHSAA and schools across the state to provide even more opportunities for girls to learn, play and love the sport."
Over the past several years, the Colts have led the effort to develop girls flag as an IHSAA-sanctioned sport.
The Colts created the Colts Girls High School Flag Football League in 2023 with eight teams. In 2024, the league expanded to 27 teams, qualifying to be an emerging sport. To become eligible as a sanctioned sport, 100 schools must compete while in emerging sport status.
To reach this goal, the Colts launched the "Road to 100" with a $1 million investment to support and sustain the launch of 100 girls teams. Costs associated with launching a team typically range from $5,000 to $8,000 for equipment, uniforms, training and coaching stipends. To help offset those costs, the Colts have invested up to $10,000 each in the schools that have joined the Road to 100.
Colts Girls Flag Football is fueled by Gatorade and sponsored in part by Peyton Manning Children's Hospital. The Colts have prioritized flag football development to introduce the game to new players and fans, especially girls, who traditionally have not had the same opportunities to learn and play the game as boys.
Schools and communities interested in fielding a team in 2026 may visit Colts.com/GirlsFlag.
