Sports & Fitness Participation Research & Industry Insights
Soccer participation Data & Trends
Soccer participation in the United States is reaching new heights. Explore the latest indoor and outdoor soccer participation statistics, demographic trends, and insights from SFIA research to understand who is playing, how the sport is growing, and what comes next.
The Stats
Soccer by the numbers
16.8M
Outdoor soccer players
2025
+15.8%
Outdoor soccer growth
2024-2025
6.6M
Indoor soccer players
2025
+10.5%
Indoor soccer growth
2024-2025
Soccer Participation Reaches Record Levels
Soccer's growth in the United States extends well beyond the excitement surrounding international competition. In 2025, outdoor soccer participation reached a record 16.8 million Americans, while indoor soccer attracted 6.6 million participants.
SFIA research shows growth across multiple demographic groups, including rising participation among adults ages 35 and older. As the country moves through a historic decade of major international sporting events, the opportunity is to translate growing interest into sustained participation.
The World Cup Effect on U.S. Soccer Participation
Major international sporting events can generate excitement around soccer, but does that enthusiasm translate into more Americans playing?
To explore this question, SFIA tracked soccer participation monthly during the 2026 World Cup and the months that followed. The findings reveal an interesting pattern: participation peaked after the tournament ended, suggesting that the event's influence on playing behavior may extend beyond the final match.
The monthly data offers a closer look at how interest in soccer translates into participation. For sporting goods companies, youth sports organizations, and other industry stakeholders, these findings provide valuable context for understanding the opportunities surrounding major sporting events.
SFIA Soccer Spotlight: 2026 U.S. Participation Trends, Insights & Growth Drivers
Explore 15 years of soccer participation research, the impact of major tournaments, demographic shifts, and opportunities for long-term growth.
What’s Included in the U.S. Soccer SPOTLIGHT Report
✔ 15-Year Participation Analysis
Historical participation trends across indoor and outdoor soccer
✔ World Cup Impact Analysis
Detailed analysis of 2014, 2018, and 2022 participation patterns
✔ Demographic Deep Dives
Age, gender, ethnicity, income, and regional participation trends
✔ Data Appendix
Detailed participation tables for: CORE, Casual, Male/Female, Cross-sport participation, Participation Rates, and Demographic breakdowns
Methodology
How We Measure Sports & Fitness Participation
Reliable decisions require reliable data.
SFIA is a founding member of the Physical Activity Council (PAC), a coalition of leading organizations that conducts the nation's largest annual study of sports and fitness participation. Partners include National Golf Foundation, Outdoor Industry Association, Health & Fitness Association, United States Tennis Association, USA Football, SnowSports Industries America, and People for Bikes.
This consistent methodology allows organizations to compare participation trends over time and make decisions based on credible, independent research.
Still have questions about our methodology? Get in touch.
→ Since 2007 the study has used the same methodology
→ 18,000+ Americans ages 6 and older surveyed each year
→ Nationally representative sample weighted to U.S. Census demographics
→ 126 activities measured today, with new activities added over time
Free Resources
Download THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Looking for Something More Specific?
If you are not sure which report best fits your needs, or your research question requires a deeper analysis, our research team is here to help.
Frequently
Asked
Questions
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In 2025, 16.8 million Americans ages 6 and older played outdoor soccer, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA). An additional 6.6 million participated in indoor soccer. Because some Americans play both formats, these figures should not be added together to calculate total soccer participation.
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Yes. Outdoor soccer participation in the U.S. increased 15.8% from 2024 to 2025, reaching a record 16.8 million participants. SFIA's participation research tracks long-term growth in both indoor and outdoor soccer, providing insights into how the sport is evolving across different age groups and demographics.
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SFIA tracked soccer participation monthly during the 2026 World Cup and the months that followed. The research found that participation peaked after the tournament ended, suggesting that interest surrounding major sporting events may translate into increased playing activity beyond the competition itself. The findings show an association in timing, rather than proving that the tournament caused the increase.
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Soccer is one of the most widely played youth team sports in the United States. SFIA tracks soccer participation among children ages 6–12 and teenagers ages 13–17, including participation trends, demographic differences, and frequency of play. Detailed youth soccer participation statistics are available in SFIA's Single Sport Participation Reports and U.S. Trends in Team Sports research.
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SFIA tracks indoor and outdoor soccer as separate activities in its annual participation research. Outdoor soccer includes participation on traditional outdoor playing fields, while indoor soccer is measured independently. Some athletes participate in both formats, so the figures overlap. SFIA's Single Sport Participation Reports provide detailed statistics for each activity.
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The Sports & Fitness Industry Association publishes annual soccer participation statistics through its Single Sport Participation Reports. These resources include historical participation trends, age and gender breakdowns, participation frequency, and insights to help sporting goods companies, sports organizations, and industry stakeholders make informed decisions.