Fall Youth Sports Participation Statistics (2026)

Q: Why did high school sports participation drop after 2019?

The drop was due to strict regulations and mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic. Schools closed athletic programs, canceled seasons, and limited gatherings. Recovery has been swift and sustained since 2022.

Q: What age do most kids drop out of sports?

30% of kids quit sports by age 13, and participation slips from 65% at ages 6–12 to 45% by ages 13–17. This represents the single largest attrition point in youth athletics.

Record-breaking high school sports participation, flag football's explosive growth, and persistent equity gaps define fall athletics in 2026.

The 2024–25 fall sports season marks a historic milestone: 8,266,244 participants were involved in high school sports in 2024-25, which is up 203,942 from the previous year and tops the previous record of 8,062,302 set in 2023-24 . This record represents far more than a simple rebound from pandemic disruptions. The fall season—anchored by football, cross country, soccer, volleyball, and field hockey—sets the athletic tone for millions of student-athletes and their communities. Yet beneath these headline numbers lie critical questions about who plays, why some sports surge while others decline, and how to ensure equitable access to fall athletics. This report consolidates 2026 data to show where youth fall sports stand, part of our statistics hub for nonprofit leaders managing youth athletic programs.

Methodology & Honesty Note: This report draws exclusively from primary sources: the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), the Aspen Institute's Project Play, and peer-reviewed academic research. All figures are sourced to hyperlinked references. Where data sources conflict, both perspectives are noted. No estimates or averages are included without explicit sourcing.

Key takeaways

8.26M high school sports participants in 2024–25 (all-time high)

55.4% of US youth ages 6–17 in organized sports

68,847 girls in flag football (60% surge in 2024–25)

20.2 income participation gap (highest on record)

High School Athletics Hit Record Highs

High school athletics participation increased by more than 200,000 in 2024-25, continuing an upward trajectory since the pandemic, with the NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey indicating 8,266,244 participants involved in high school sports in 2024-25 . The total includes 4,726,648 boys and 3,539,596 girls – both record highs . This marks a dramatic reversal from pre-pandemic declines. Data since the initial survey following the pandemic shows that high school sports participation has increased by 642,837 student-athletes, and represents a turnaround from the decline that started the year before the global pandemic .

4.7M

3.5M

High school sports participation by gender, 2024–25. NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey

The Flag Football Revolution

The most dramatic story in fall 2024–25 is girls flag football, with a total of 68,847 girls competing in flag football in 2024-25, with almost 1,000 additional schools offering the sport . A 60% increase in the number of athletes playing girls flag football has fueled a huge growth in participation in girls sports and in all high school sports . Flag football was the only team sport tracked by SFIA that experienced growth in regular participation among kids ages 6-17 from 2019 to 2024 . 16 states have sanctioned the sport, with two more scheduled to do so by 2027, and 22 additional states have independent/pilot programs . This explosion is linked to NFL investment and the sport's inclusion in the 2028 Olympic Games.

Girls flag football participation surge, 2020–2025. Data compiled from NFHS reports and school participation records.

Fall Sports by the Numbers

Football remained the most popular sport for boys, with similar numbers in 11-player football from the previous year at 1,029,588 . In track and field—a major fall sport in many regions— outdoor track and field once again led the way as the most popular sport for girls, climbing to 513,808 participants during the 2024-25 school year, and on the boys' side, participation surged as well, reaching 644,235 athletes . Boys wrestling and girls volleyball have been consistent top 10 sports throughout the survey's history, and both reached all-time highs this past year .

Boys football (11-player) 1,029,588

Girls track & field (outdoor) 513,808

Boys track & field (outdoor) 644,235

Girls volleyball 534,360

Top fall sports participation, 2024–25. NFHS Participation Survey

Youth Sports Beyond High School

High school figures tell only part of the story. An estimated 27.3 million youth ages 6-17 "participated on a sports team" or "took sports lessons afterschool or on weekends," meaning 55.4% of kids played organized sports as of 2023 (the most recent year available). However, participation peaks at 65% for ages 6 to 12 before slipping to 45% by ages 13 to 17, while youth team sports in the US reach only 30% for ages 15 to 18 . 30% of kids quit sports by age 13 , a critical dropout point that represents a major loss of athletes and athletic culture.

65%

45%

30%

Youth sports participation by age group. StrivenOn Research / Aspen Institute

The Equity Crisis: Income Gaps Widen

Behind the headline record sits a sobering reality: access to youth sports is increasingly unequal. The income participation gap widened from 13.6 percentage points in 2012 to 20.2 points in 2024, per Project Play State of Play 2025 (SFIA data, ages 6-17) . Families earning over $100,000 are twice as likely to have a child in travel sports compared to families earning under $50,000 . These disparities reflect rising costs for equipment, league fees, travel, and coaching—all of which have grown faster than family incomes in many communities.

Wealthier families bounced back faster after the pandemic, often through private clubs and travel teams that resumed earlier. Public recreation programs and school-based leagues took longer to rebuild. This gap in recovery speed widened the income disparity in youth sports that had already been growing before the pandemic . Additionally, Black youth participation in sports is 10% lower than white youth at 48% vs 58% , highlighting persistent racial equity gaps.

Families earning $100K+ Higher access

Families earning under $50K 50% of higher-income access

Income disparity in travel sports access. StrivenOn / Aspen Institute

Soccer's Persistent Growth

While fall sports overall are booming, soccer deserves special attention as a year-round phenomenon. Total participation hit 20.5 million in 2024 (SFIA 2025 Topline Participation Report), outdoor soccer grew 8.1% year over year, and youth registration across US Youth Soccer, US Club Soccer, and AYSO exceeds 4 million players at more than 10,000 clubs . Looking ahead, with the 2026 FIFA World Cup set to be played on American soil, the US Soccer Federation projects participation could reach 29 million within the year . Flag football was the only team sport tracked by SFIA that experienced growth in regular participation among kids ages 6-17 from 2019 to 2024 , yet soccer has expanded far faster overall than any other major sport.

Volunteer Recruitment, Background Checks & Safety

As fall sports participation surges—particularly among girls and younger athletes—the demand for trained, vetted coaches, referees, athletic directors, and other volunteers has intensified. Organizations running youth sports programs need robust screening systems to ensure safe, inclusive environments. Read our Youth Sports Volunteer Background Check guide for best practices on screening coaches and volunteers under FCRA guidelines. For nonprofits running middle school or youth leagues, our Middle School Sports Volunteer Statistics report breaks down recruitment trends and safety screening benchmarks. Additionally, organizations launching new fall programs should review our comprehensive guides: How to Plan, Launch & Run a Cross Country Program and How to Plan, Launch & Run a Middle School Sports Program. Finally, for insights into the background screening industry overall, see our Background Screening Industry Statistics (2026) report.

What this means for your volunteer program

Fall youth sports are at a historic inflection point: record participation, explosive growth in girls' sports, and the emergence of new opportunities (flag football), yet widening equity gaps that threaten to lock out millions of youth from lower-income families. For nonprofit organizations, churches, and schools running fall athletic programs, this environment demands three critical actions:

1. Expand equitable access: Programs should actively recruit and subsidize participation for low-income families. One proven lever is scaling school-based athletics alongside community programs, removing barriers like cost, transportation, and lack of awareness.

2. Strengthen volunteer screening: With more coaches, officials, and volunteers than ever, rigorous FCRA-compliant background checks are non-negotiable. Identity verification and character references add essential layers of vetting. VolunteerBadge offers $5 FCRA-compliant background checks with no monthly fees—ideal for high-turnover volunteer organizations.

3. Build inclusive cultures: Flag football's surge proves that new sports can attract underrepresented groups (especially girls) when actively promoted. Multi-sport pathways reduce burnout and keep teens engaged through ages 13–17, your critical retention window.

Ready to scale your fall sports program safely?

Start free screening today with VolunteerBadge

Download the data

Access all statistics, sources, and year-by-year trends from this report in a single spreadsheet:

⬇ Download the data (.xlsx)

Frequently asked questions

Q: Why did high school sports participation drop after 2019?
A: The drop was due to strict regulations and mandates that were in place during the COVID-19 pandemic . Schools closed athletic programs, canceled seasons, and limited gatherings. Recovery has been swift and sustained since 2022.

Q: Is girls' sports really growing faster than boys'?
A: Yes. Notable increases in girls sports like flag football and wrestling saw significant growth . Flag football alone drove much of this surge, but girls' volleyball, soccer, and cross country have also reached all-time highs.

Q: What age do most kids drop out of sports?
A: 30% of kids quit sports by age 13 , and participation slips from 65% at ages 6–12 to 45% by ages 13–17 . This represents the single largest attrition point in youth athletics.

Q: Why is soccer participation so much higher than other sports?
A: Soccer is offered year-round (fall, winter, spring), does not require expensive equipment or facilities, and has low barriers to entry. It is played in every state and appeals broadly to both boys and girls.

Q: How can my program help close the income gap in youth sports?
A: Eliminate or reduce participation fees, use sliding-scale costs, partner with local grants and sponsors, provide loaner equipment, and offer transportation. School-based programs tend to be more equitable than travel-based leagues.

Q: What background checks do we legally need for fall sports volunteers?
A: Background checks are FCRA-compliant consumer reports that verify identity, address history, and criminal records. All volunteers with direct athlete access should be screened. Organizations running youth programs should use certified screening vendors to ensure legal compliance.

Sources & references

Report metadata:

First published July 30, 2026 | Last updated July 30, 2026

This is a living report. Data is refreshed and verified annually each summer to capture the most recent NFHS participation surveys and youth sports trend research. As a nonprofit leader or volunteer coordinator, use this information for program planning, fundraising, and strategic advocacy—not as legal guidance. Educational content only.