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More than 8 million high school students participate School-sponsored sportsAccording to the report, it was the highest ever recorded. The National Association of State High School Associations is a nonprofit organization that supports high school sports, fine arts and performing arts programs.
According to the NFHS High School Sports Participation Survey, sports participation increased by 210,469 between the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years. The previous participation record was 7,980,886 in 2017-18. Participation began to decline in the 2018-19 school year and continued to decline during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, when many schools limited in-person classes and activities.
“The return of school sport after its hiatus during the pandemic is very welcome and certainly demonstrates the staying power of education-based sport in our nation’s schools,” he said. NFHS CEO Carisa Niehoff said in a statement on August 20.
One of the factors behind the increase in sports participation is Women’s Flag FootballParticipation has more than doubled in the past two years. With flag football programs expanding, the Indiana-based NFHS announced last month that it would develop national competitive rules for the sport for both girls and boys teams. These rules include: It is expected to be implemented during the 2025-26 school year.
“Flag is a sport that anyone can participate in,” Niehoff said in a statement Aug. 19. “It can be played in any season, weather permitting, is fast-paced and provides an opportunity for young people to play and for others to coach and referee in the exciting sport of football.”
According to the NFHS, 12 states have sanctioned girls’ flag football, including NFHS member associations in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New York and Tennessee. Another 19 states are piloting similar programs.
Based on participation level, the top three high school sports for girls are outdoor track and field, volleyball and soccer. The top three for boys are 11-man football, outdoor track and field and basketball.
Other statistics from the NFHS include:
By the numbers
42,955
The number of girls participating in flag football in 2023-24, double the number of girls who played last school year.
+173%
Beginning with the 2021-22 school year, there has been an increase in girls participating in flag football.
1,031,508
The number of students who participate in 11-player football, the most popular boys’ sport.
+25%
Increased participation in boys wrestling starting in 2021-22.
+102%
Starting in 2021-22, there has been an increase in participation in girls wrestling.
8,062,302
Total high school sports participants for the 2023-24 school year.
859,301
Texas ranks first in student sports participation with 834,103 high school athletes. California came in second with 834,103.
65
High school students participate in a wide range of sports, including archery, badminton, bass fishing, mountain biking, rugby, and snowboarding.