National Girls and Women in Sports Day recognizes a movement. We're experiencing a fundamental shift towards greater equality, stronger communities and a future where every girl has the chance to discover herself through the power of sport. From high school gyms to pro arenas, the momentum is real. Women’s sports are growing faster than ever, outpacing men’s sports by nearly every key metric.
Youth & High School: The Continued Growth
For years, researchers have documented the benefits of youth sports for girls, including improved physical and mental health, enhanced leadership skills, and academic performance. Now, growing accessibility and popularity make these opportunities even more heartening. Girls’ high school sports just hit an all-time high: 3,539,596 athletes in 2024-25.
We're seeing a notable rise in girls' participation across a diverse range of sports:
- Soccer: Already a powerhouse, girls' youth soccer leagues continue to expand with a 2.38% increase. The enduring success of the U.S. Women's National Team and the rising visibility of professional leagues like the NWSL fuel this growth. Young girls see role models who dominate on the world stage, inspiring them to lace up their cleats.
- Basketball: From local recreational leagues to competitive travel teams, girls' basketball is thriving. The excitement around college women's basketball and the WNBA is creating a tangible pathway for aspiring players, showcasing incredible talent and athleticism.
- Volleyball: This fast-paced, team-oriented sport has exploded in popularity among girls, growing by 2.85% year-over-year. High school and club volleyball programs flourish, offering dynamic, engaging experiences that foster teamwork and strategic thinking.
- Flag Football: Girls' flag football is rapidly gaining traction. Participation surged by 60% last year, with nearly 69,000 girls nationwide as more states sanctioned varsity programs.
- Wrestling: Over 74,000 girls now compete, up from just 11,000 ten years ago. Forty states now host girls’ wrestling championships.
The Professional Boom: Scaling for the Future
Women’s elite sports will top $2.35 billion in global revenue in 2026 — more than doubling in just two years. The focus has shifted from proving value to rapid expansion.
Basketball & Rise of NIL
Women’s basketball is on track to hit $1.03 billion in revenue this year.
- Viewership: The 2024 NCAA title game drew 18.9 million viewers, famously outdrawing the men's final (14.8 million).
- WNBA Expansion: The league added the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire in 2026, growing to 15 teams and landing a $2.2 billion media deal.
Soccer & The NWSL
The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) expanded to 16 teams in 2026 with the debut of Boston Legacy FC and Denver Summit FC.
- Media Value: New broadcast deals have boosted annual media revenue by nearly 40x compared to previous years.
- Attendance: Recent matches at major venues like Oracle Park and Gillette Stadium have drawn record crowds of over 40,000.
The "Start-up" Explosion
From 2025 to 2026, new leagues have turned youth favorites into pro sports:
- PWHL (Hockey): Now in its third season, the league has expanded to 8 teams (including the newly named Minnesota Frost and New York Sirens), consistently selling out NHL-sized arenas. On January 18, 2026, the PWHL set a new U.S. professional women's hockey attendance record with 17,228 fans at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
- WLL (Lacrosse): The Women's Lacrosse League launches its first full 10v10 season in May 2026.
- WPBL (Baseball): The Women’s Pro Baseball League launched its first four teams (Boston, New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco) , the first pro women’s baseball league since 1954.
Why This Momentum isn't Slowing Down
Investment in women’s sports is growing 4.5 times faster than in men’s sports, and this is fueling a virtuous cycle:
- Visibility: Professional stars (like Caitlin Clark or the USWNT) inspire youth.
- Participation: Higher youth numbers (65% of girls now try a sport at least once) create a massive talent pool.
- Commercial Value: Brands are seeing higher ROI, as fans of women's sports are twice as likely to purchase from sponsors compared to general sports fans.
In 2020, women had fewer than 1,000 major league roster spots in the U.S. By 2026, that number had doubled, opening the door for thousands of athletes to “go pro”.
The Ripple Effect: Why This Growth Matters
This dual growth in youth participation and professional visibility creates a powerful feedback loop. When young girls see successful women athletes on television, in stadiums, and across social media, it validates their own aspirations and efforts. It shows them that there's a path forward, both on and off the field.
Increased investment in women's sports brings better resources, coaching, and facilities, which elevate the quality of play at all levels. It also creates more career opportunities for women as coaches, administrators, broadcasters, and more.
How Fastbreak is Scaling the Movement
At Fastbreak, we know women’s sports are surging, and the proper infrastructure is key. That’s why we built Fastbreak Compete, the all-in-one platform for youth and amateur sports organizers.
With AI-powered scheduling, built-in sponsorship tools, and a powerful CRM, we make operations simple and unlock new revenue fast. Manage thousands of athletes, land top sponsors, and deliver standout experiences for teams, fans, and brands all in one place.
Here is how we’re changing the game:
- For Organizers: Our AI handles scheduling and logistics, so you can grow your numbers and build your brand.
- For Brands: Our experiential activation program connects national brands with youth athletes and families across the country. Tap into unmatched ROI and loyalty in the youth sports community.
- For the Future: By making youth sports more professional and efficient, we help fuel the virtuous cycle that powers tomorrow’s pro leagues.
Give organizers the right tools, and every tournament becomes a pro-level experience. That’s how the whole ecosystem wins. If you’re running women’s tournaments, let’s talk about how Fastbreak Compete can accelerate your event.
