Annual Participation Study
2026 trends in team sports YOUTH Report
See How Youth and Young Adult Americans Are Participating in Team Sports
Explore U.S. team sports participation among children, teens, and young adults, with detailed insight into age, gender, household income, and engagement.
Free for SFIA members | $400 for non-members
examine youth team sports participation
The Youth & Young Adult Participation report examines how team sports participation differs across ages 6–12, 13–17, and 18–24. Discover which sports are gaining participants, how frequently young people play, and where participation gaps point to opportunities for more accessible, welcoming programs.
The 2026 edition examines participation in 2025 and includes a closer look at participation rates by individual age and gender.
What You Will Learn
Use the report to understand:
Which sports are growing among children, teens, and young adults over time (2020-2025)
How casual and CORE participation differ across age groups
How participation patterns compare for boys and girls
Where household income gaps remain
How the number of team sports played per participant is changing
What the Report Covers
The 2026 u.s. trends in team sports report: YOUTH & YOUNG ADULT PARTICIPATION includes:
Research methodology
Executive summary
Key takeaways
Participation in team sports
2026 key findings and industry implications
from the report
The 2026 U.S. Trends in Team Sports Report: Youth & Young Adult Participation examines another year of historically high team sports participation.
Growth Spans Every Age Group
Team sports participation increased among children, teens, and young adults in 2025.
Gender Gaps Extend Into Young Adulthood
Female participation rates fall more sharply across the teen years and into young adulthood.
Young People Continue to Play Multiple Sports
The average number of team sports played per participant increased among ages 6–12 and remained essentially steady among teens.
Start With The 2026 Key Takeaways
Explore major findings from the 2026 U.S. Trends in Team Sports Report: Youth & Young Adult Participation, including the latest trends shaping youth team sports in the United States.
2026 SFIA U.S. TRENDS IN TEAM SPORTS report: youth & young adult PARTICIPATION
Published | 2026
Data covered | 2020–2025
Activities tracked | 24
Geography | United States
Format | Digital Report
Member access | Complimentary
Built on Nearly 20 Years of Consistent Research
SFIA’s participation research is conducted as part of the Physical Activity Council, a collaboration of leading sports, fitness, and recreation organizations. Using a nationally representative online survey, the study gathers responses from more than 18,000 Americans ages 6+ each year.
The consistent methodology, maintained since 2007, allows organizations to examine long-term changes in sports and fitness participation with confidence.
→ Nationally representative online survey
→ 18,000+ Americans ages 6+ surveyed annually
→ 126 sports, fitness & leisure activities tracked
→ Consistent methodology maintained since 2007
Choosing the Right Report
foundational data or youth & young adults report?
Looking for the broader team sports picture? Our Participation Foundational Data Report examines participation across 24 team sports,
including casual and CORE engagement, motivations to play, and youth coaching trends to help inform your market planning.
Get both perspectives
Explore the full team sports picture—from overall participation and coaching trends to a closer look at children, teens, and young adults. Non-members can purchase both reports together in the Team Sports Report Bundle.
Purchase the 2026 U.S. TRENDS IN TEAM SPORTS REPORT: youth & young adult PARTICIPATION
Use age-specific insights to inform programming, product development, and efforts to support participation through key life transitions.
Research report purchases are final and are not eligible for refund, return, or credit.
Free Resources
Download Key Takeaways
Report Access and Support
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After completing your order, you will receive an order confirmation and a separate email containing an access link for each report purchased. Emails are sent from info@sfia.org. Please add this address to your safe senders list.
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Check your spam or junk folder first. If the email has not arrived, contact our research team at research@sfia.org.
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Yes. The 2026 U.S. Trends in Team Sports Report: Youth & Young Adult Participation is available to SFIA members at no additional cost. Members should sign in before completing their order.
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Contact Alex Kerman, Head of Research, at akerman@sfia.org or 301-495-6321.
Related Research
Continue Exploring Participation Trends
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Foundation Team Sports Participation
U.S. Trends in Team Sports Report: Foundational Participation
Explore participation across 24 team sports, including growth trends, casual and CORE engagement, motivations to play, and youth coaching resources.
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Annual Participation Research
Topline Participation Report
Explore the annual picture of U.S. sports and fitness participation across 126 sports and fitness activities, including activity trends, demographic shifts, and casual and CORE engagement.