Track and Field and Cross Country Participation Trends

According to the August 25, 2025, NFHS Press release: High school athletics participation increased by more than 200,000 in 2024-25 school year, continuing an upward trajectory since the pandemic and registering an all-time high for participation.

The NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey indicated that 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. The total includes 4,726,648 boys and 3,539,596 girls – both record highs – according to figures obtained from the 51 NFHS member state associations, which includes the District of Columbia.  

The 2024-25 total marked the third consecutive notable increase after numbers fell during the pandemic. Since the initial survey after the pandemic, participation in high school sports has increased more than 645,000 in three years and represents a turnaround from the decline that started the year before the COVID-19 pandemic.   

 “It is wonderful to see the interest in high school sports reach new heights,” said Dr. Karissa Niehoff, CEO of the NFHS. “The immense value of high school sports is reflected in these impressive numbers. As high school students have consistently demonstrated their desire to play with their peers and represent their schools and community, state and school administrators have stepped up to offer more participation opportunities to meet that demand.”  

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. On the boys’ side, participation surged as well, reaching 644,235 athletes. These increases reaffirm track and field’s broad appeal, offering students opportunities across a wide range of events from sprints and distance running to jumps and throws.

Indoor track and field, which complements the outdoor season, also experienced steady growth. Participation rose to 89,019 boys and 71,358 girls. Together, these numbers reflect a continued momentum in track and field as one of the most accessible and diverse sports in high school athletics.

Cross country, while remaining a strong participation sport, saw slight shifts in enrollment. A total of 241,565 boys and 191,733 girls competed in 2024–25. Boys’ participation edged up by roughly 2,000 athletes, while girls’ numbers dipped by about 1,000 from the previous year

The NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey was started in 1971 and was compiled in its current form through the 2018-19 school year, resuming annually with the 2021-22 survey. The complete 2024-25 NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey available on the NFHS website at www.nfhs.org.