Chiefs Named Presenting Sponsor of KSHSAA High School Flag Football State Championship
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs and the Kansas State High School Activities Association announced that the Chiefs will serve as the presenting sponsor of the association’s High School Flag Football State Championship. The partnership will include in-game activations and programming, and the club will act as the exclusive presenting sponsor for an annual KSHSAA State Flag Football event. Chiefs Senior Manager of Football Development Sheila Sickau said, “On behalf of the Kansas City Chiefs, it is an honor to partner with KSHSAA to host the High School Flag Football State Championship for the foreseeable future.” The club said its involvement will include on-site activations and promotional initiatives during each season.
Semifinal play for the inaugural Kansas State High School Activities Association High School Flag Football State Championship will begin on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, at the SCHEELS Stryker Sports Complex in Wichita, Kansas. Shawnee Mission West High School (12-0) will face St. Thomas Aquinas High School (10-0) at 11 a.m., followed by Shawnee Mission South High School (12-0) against St. James Academy (10-1) at 1 p.m. The inaugural state championship game is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. and will be streamed live at www.nfhsnetwork.com. For more information, visit www.kshsaa.org/react/fanpage/6440.
KSHSAA Executive Director Bill Faflick said, “As a longtime educator, I know students connected to peers, adults, and the school community will achieve at an elevated level in the classroom – and Flag has provided an opportunity to be more inclusive for students in our member schools that have not been part of an activity program.” He said the association is grateful to partners and school leaders whose efforts helped make the championship possible. In April 2026, the KSHSAA board approved sanctioning girls high school flag football as an official sport, making Kansas the 18th state to adopt the sport at the high school level. As part of the Chiefs’ “Let Her Play” campaign leading up to the vote, more than 11,000 people petitioned in support of the sanctioning, which the association said played a pivotal role in urging Kansas leaders to expand access and opportunities for female student-athletes.
NFL Sports Blog Take
The Chiefs’ presenting-sponsor role connects a high-profile NFL franchise to the growth of girls high school flag football in Kansas at a pivotal moment. With KSHSAA sanctioning the sport in April 2026 and the inaugural state tournament underway, the club’s on-site activations and annual event sponsorship should boost visibility and resources for programs. Streaming the title game on www.nfhsnetwork.com will give families and recruiters broader access. The partnership aligns with efforts to expand participation and create a sustainable pathway for student-athletes from youth leagues into official high school competition.