Though its counterpart for boys sports in Iowa, the Iowa High School Athletic Association, is a full-time member of the National Federation of State High School Associations, the IGHSAU is only an affiliate member.

Sports currently overseen by the IGHSAU are basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, track and field, tennis, volleyball, and wrestling.

[4] Sports previously overseen by the IGHSAU were gymnastics, synchronized swimming, and indoor track and field.

Each IGHSAU sport has an advisory committee made up of coaches, an official and an athletic director.

The IGHSAU Student Athlete Advisory Committee is composed of female student-athletes from each of the state's four districts (NE, SE, NW, SW) along with three at-large representatives.

On 23 May 2024, it was announced that due to the explosion of participation in the sport, wrestling would move to two classes for the 2024-2025 season.