High School Athletics Participation Survey
Web Story

High School Athletics Participation Survey

- nfhs news, nfhs report
Led by the continual growth of girls flag football and girls wrestling, participation in high school sports increased

Led by the continual growth of girls flag football and girls wrestling, participation in high school sports increased for the fifth consecutive year in 2025-26

The total includes 4,761,095 boys and 3,654,589 girls – both record highs.

The total includes 4,761,095 boys and 3,654,589 girls – both record highs.

Participation in girls flag football increased 48.7 percent last year – 68,847 to 102,360 – and the sport

Participation in girls flag football increased 48.7 percent last year – 68,847 to 102,360 – and the sport cracked the Top 10 list for most popular girls sports.

Participation in girls wrestling increased 19.9 percent from the previous year – from 74,064 to 88,771.

Participation in girls wrestling increased 19.9 percent from the previous year – from 74,064 to 88,771.

Five of the top 10 boys sports registered increases in 2025-26, including 11-player football, outdoor track and field,

Five of the top 10 boys sports registered increases in 2025-26, including 11-player football, outdoor track and field, soccer, golf and tennis.

Girls volleyball continued its annual climb with another 9,257 participants and topped 500,000 for the first time. At

Girls volleyball continued its annual climb with another 9,257 participants and topped 500,000 for the first time. At 502,056 participants, volleyball is No. 2 in popularity for girls.