The inaugural OHSAA Girls Flag Football State Championship is set to make history on May 16 in Canton, marking a milestone moment for the sport's rapid growth across Ohio.

Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, a legendary venue that also hosts the OHSAA State Football Championships each December, will welcome the eight-team finale. The field will feature four adjacent playing surfaces, each measuring 25 by 70 yards, creating an exciting multi-game setup for the championship event.

"We are very excited for this state tournament and would like to thank the Pro Football Hall of Fame for hosting it inside Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium," said Doug Ute, OHSAA Executive Director. "This sport has grown so fast over the last few years, and we are proud that the young ladies will compete for an OHSAA state championship inside the stadium. We look forward to being a part of a great day in Canton."

The momentum behind girls flag football is undeniable. Ohio now boasts 162 schools sponsoring the sport in its first season as an OHSAA-sanctioned activity, with 41 teams in Southwest Ohio and 141 across Northeast and Central Ohio. This expansion follows the 2025 season, when Badin claimed the first state championship organized by the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association.

Regional tournaments kick off Monday and run through Friday, setting the stage for the finals on May 11 at facilities associated with the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals. The top four finishers from each regional site will earn their spots in Canton for the historic state tournament.