Record-setting participation: NFHS reports all-time high in high school sports, with girls’ growth leading the charge

High school sports are not just back—they’re booming. The NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey reports a new all-time high of 8,266,244 participants in 2024-25, up 203,942 year-over-year and ~645,000 since the immediate post-pandemic season. Both boys (4,726,648) and girls (3,539,596) numbers set records, a surge that reflects what administrators are seeing on the ground: students want to compete, and schools are making room on the roster.

Girls sports drove the biggest gains:

• Flag football exploded to 68,847 participants—+60%—with nearly 1,000 new sponsoring schools.

• Girls wrestling topped 74,000 for the first time (+15%) and added about 1,000 programs.

• Unified Sports and Esports also climbed, broadening the definition of team and competition.

On the popularity podium:

• Girls: Outdoor track & field (513,808), volleyball (492,799), and soccer (393,048) lead the way, with competitive spirit (+~14%) jumping into the top six.

• Boys: After 11-player football (1,029,588) and track (644,235), it’s basketball, soccer, baseball, and a resurgent wrestling (300,214).

State heavyweights Texas (879,403) and California (852,575) top the charts, with Ohio sprinting into third. For athletic directors, it’s validation that investment in facilities, coaches, and opportunities is paying off—in participation, performance, and community pride.

The full 2024-25 NFHS report will be posted soon at nfhs.org.