State of SOCCER NEW YORK CITY/NORTHERN NEW JERSEY
For the first time, a Project Play community State of Play report is tackling a specific sport – soccer. State of Soccer New York City/Northern New Jersey, our 18th community report, will analyze the local youth soccer ecosystem to understand the challenges and opportunities for more children to play soccer.
Project Play supports children playing many different sports. In partnership with the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund, Project Play is focusing this work on soccer to culminate the report’s release around the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup final at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey, near New York City. The World Cup offers opportunities to grow the game of soccer among kids.
State of Soccer New York City/Northern New Jersey will offer findings and recommendations for the region, highlighting programs and models that work well along with ideas to improve quality experiences for more children. Some topics that will be explored include:
Barriers for girls to play soccer and potential solutions
Incorporation of youth voice into soccer program design and delivery
Pickup soccer and free play
Encouraging sport sampling beyond just soccer
Recruitment, training and retention of soccer coaches
ACL injuries in soccer, especially among girls
Facilities and play spaces for youth soccer and their proximity to young people
State of Soccer New York City/Northern New Jersey is guided by a local advisory group. Project Play plans to hold a local soccer summit on Oct. 10, 2025.
If you are interested in attending our October event or learn more information about this project, please contact Jon Solomon (jon.solomon@aspeninstitute.org.) and Ruby Avila (ruby.avila@aspeninstitute.org).
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