FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 11, 2026
Sioux Falls, SD – One of the fastest-growing sports in the country is coming to Sioux Falls, creating new opportunities for students across our community.
Through a new partnership with the Minnesota Vikings, the Sioux Falls School District’s Community Learning Centers (CLCs) will launch Girls Flag Football for middle and high school students beginning in the Fall of 2026.
Funded by a grant from the Vikings, the program will be offered at CLC middle schools and all high schools, with all startup costs, including coaching staff, uniforms, and equipment, fully covered.
Girls Flag Football is rapidly gaining momentum nationwide, with programs expanding across the country and growing interest at the collegiate level. The sport will also make its debut at the 2028 Olympic Games.
“This partnership is about creating new opportunities for our students,” said Paul Keizer, Executive Director for the CLCs. “We are grateful to the Minnesota Vikings for recognizing the potential here in Sioux Falls and helping us bring this experience to life. This program will open the door for more girls to get involved in athletics, build confidence, and be part of a team.”
The program will be offered through the CLCs at each site, with the inaugural season scheduled for September 2026. Students can expect practices one to two times per week, along with three Saturday jamboree events throughout the month.
As a pilot program, the focus will be on building interest and participation while laying the foundation for future growth, with the long-term vision of establishing Girls Flag Football as a sanctioned sport in South Dakota.
“Flag football is gaining momentum across the country, and it’s essential that girls have structured, high-quality chances to get involved,” said Brett Taber, vice president of social impact for the Minnesota Vikings. “The launch of South Dakota's program represents a key move toward growing girls flag football in the region and creating a strong base for its continued development.”
Incoming and current high school students and families interested in being part of the inaugural season are encouraged to sign up here to receive updates and additional information as the program develops.
Middle school students interested in participating can learn more about registration through the CLC website here.
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About Minnesota Vikings Girls Flag Football
Since 2022 the Minnesota Vikings have invested more than $2 million to expand girls flag football and remove barriers to participation across the region. In 2025, the Vikings launched Minnesota’s first high school girls flag football league with 51 schools and partnered with seven NCAA institutions to establish the region’s first collegiate women’s flag league. In 2026, the Minnesota high school league has more than doubled in size while expanding into surrounding states, including Iowa, North Dakota and South Dakota. The Vikings continue working toward an official varsity recognition as girls flag football — now sanctioned in 19 states — remains the nation’s fastest-growing emerging high school sport.