BOSTON, MASS. – Leaders at Project Play Summit 2026 introduced new partnerships and investments to expand access and improve the experience for young athletes, as more than 850 people gathered for the largest Summit to date.
U.S. youth sports participation increased to 58% in pursuit of 63% by 2030
U.S. youth sports participation tracked by the federal government rose to 58% in 2024, marking a significant one-year increase and nearly returning to its level almost a decade ago. Organized sports participation grew among boys, girls and all racial and ethnic groups, but the gap continued to widen based on household income.
For Boston’s youth sports leaders, the work is personal
In Boston, efforts to expand access to youth sports are being driven not just by policy, but by locals who grew up in the system themselves.
At the center of that work are José Massó, the city’s Chief of Human Services, and Tyrik Wilson, Youth Sports Initiative Manager and the leader of Let’s Play Boston, a citywide initiative designed to make youth sports more accessible and equitable. Together, they are helping to shape how young people across Boston experience sports with a focus on expanding opportunity.