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.

Aspen Institute national survey of youth and sports: 15 key findings

To reach the federal government’s goal of 63% of children participating in organized sports by 2030, it’s critical to both recruit and retain youth athletes. That requires understanding different perspectives from current, former and never players. What characteristics of sports and broader systemic issues influence their experiences and decisions to play or not play? Here are 15 key findings from our exclusive survey.

Youth sports as a path to mental health, physical wellness and equity

When children and teens are on the court, field, or track, they are fully present — physically engaged, mentally focused, and socially connected. Sports provide a healthy alternative to hours spent scrolling, offering both a reprieve from digital stressors and an opportunity to build resilience.

From Norway to the American Way

Research by our Sports & Society Program has recognized Norway as having the most socially effective sport system in the world. Now, with Norway topping the medal count at the Winter Olympics for the third consecutive time, executive director Tom Farrey shares the program’s plan to help the U.S. sports sector embrace and adapt key features of the proven model – and how stakeholders, from parents to policymakers, can assist.