Youth Sports
Youth Sports Are Booming: Why More Kids Are Getting in the Game
A record 33.3 million Americans ages 6–17 played at least one team sport in 2025, according to new SFIA data. Here's what's driving the surge.
Stay ahead of the game with the latest in youth sports, flag football, athletic development, and training. Insights, resources, and stories to help the next generation of athletes BE MORE.
A record 33.3 million Americans ages 6–17 played at least one team sport in 2025, according to new SFIA data. Here's what's driving the surge.
Girls' high school flag football grew 48.7% in a single year, jumping to 102,360 participants nationally. Here's why this sport is becoming a top opportunity for young female athletes.
Flag football makes its Olympic debut at LA28, with NFL players now cleared to compete. Here's how a backyard game became the world's newest Olympic sport.
High school sports hit another all-time record in 2025–26, with 8.4 million participants. Led by girls flag football — up 48.7% — participation just keeps climbing.
Flag football led all youth team sports with a 21% participation increase in 2024, according to NSGA data. Here's why coaches, parents, and kids are all choosing flag.
81.3% of Americans now participate in at least one sport or fitness activity — a record high. Team sports are leading the charge, and the data tells a powerful story.
From participation rates to affordability challenges and access gaps — here's what the latest research reveals about youth sports in America, and how to navigate it for your child.
Curated stories from across the sports world — the reporting, research, and perspectives shaping the future of youth athletics.
Girls' high school flag football participation jumped 48.7% in a single year — making it the fastest-growing sport in high school athletics history.
Read on AxiosThe sport's debut at the LA Games marks a historic moment — with NFL players cleared to compete alongside international athletes.
Read on AP NewsThe latest SFIA data analyzed by Project Play shows flag football up 26% among ages 6–12, with casual participation at an all-time high.
Read on Aspen InstituteA record 33.3 million Americans ages 6–17 played at least one team sport in 2025, with flag football leading growth among younger kids.
Read on SFIALed by girls' flag football and girls' wrestling, high school sports participation hit 8.4 million — another all-time record.
Read on NFHSFlag football led all youth team sports with a 21% participation increase — the biggest gain of any sport tracked in the NSGA's comprehensive study.
Read on NSGA65% of youth ages 6–17 tried at least one sport in 2024 — the highest on record. Latino youth now participate at higher rates than any other demographic.
Read on Project Play81.3% of Americans ages 6+ participated in at least one sport in the 12 months ending June 2026. Team sports led all categories with 3.8% growth.
Read on SFIALatina girls' sports participation rose from 39.5% to 48.4% in five years — outpacing peers. New research explores representation's role in driving growth.
Read on McKinsey