Girls are leaving sports at higher rates than boys — and many are never getting the chance to start.
From rising costs and unequal opportunity to social pressures and lack of support, girls face a range of barriers that can push them out of the game during critical developmental years. But research from the Women’s Sports Foundation continues to show that when girls stay involved in sports, the benefits extend far beyond the playing field.
Sports empower girls to build confidence, leadership skills, healthy habits, and a stronger sense of belonging, helping them to step into their potential far beyond the game.
The WSF Sport Report™ 2026 — the foundation’s first annual benchmark tracking the full women’s sports pipeline — provides the most current look at where these barriers stand today. Read the 2026 WSF Sport Report →
Girls still have fewer opportunities to play sports than boys, particularly in under-resourced schools and communities. Limited access to school sports, supportive coaches, safe spaces to play, and affordable community programs can make it harder for girls to participate and stay engaged.
Research shows girls have more than 1.2 million fewer opportunities to play high school sports than boys.
Why it matters
When girls play sports, they gain invaluable skills that extend into communities, careers, and leadership roles later in life.
According to WSF’s Play to Lead research:
These findings show girls do not need to become professional athletes to benefit from sports. Participation helps build the foundation for future leaders, problem-solvers, and changemakers across every industry and community.
The rising cost of youth sports continues to create barriers for many families. Registration fees, travel costs, equipment, uniforms, and private training can place sports out of reach.
Why it matters
Every girl deserves the opportunity to experience the physical, emotional, and social benefits of sport, regardless of zip code or income level.
Research from WSF’s Teen Sport in America report found girls who participate in sports demonstrate:
When girls are priced out of sports, they are often being pushed away from opportunities that shape educational attainment, career pathways, and long-term economic mobility.
New data from the 2026 WSF Sport Report puts specific numbers to this barrier: the median annual spend on sports is $500 for girls compared with $400 for boys — a 25% difference. For lower-income families, the impact is even sharper. Among girls from households earning under $50,000 who have never played sports, 24% of parents cite cost as the primary reason their daughter has never played at all. For the most current data on the cost gap in girls’ sports, see the 2026 WSF Sport Report.
A positive sport experience can make all the difference in whether a girl stays in the game. Supportive coaches, safe environments, and equal treatment help girls feel valued and motivated to continue participating. But lack of access to quality coaches and supportive sport environments can contribute to burnout and dropout.
Why it matters
Girls are more likely to stay involved in sports when they:
For many girls, the quality of their sport experience determines whether they stay involved or walk away entirely. Positive coaching, equal investment, and environments where girls feel seen and supported can shape not only participation, but how girls view themselves and their potential. WSF’s 2026 Sport Report found that among girls ages 8 to 10 who quit sports, 15% named their coach as a reason for leaving — three times the rate of boys that age. The coach relationship is one of the most significant and controllable factors in whether young girls stay in the game.
As girls grow older, social pressures, body image concerns, fear of judgement, and feelings of not belonging can impact their relationship with sports and physical activity.
Research from WSF’s From Sidelines to Center Court report found many girls feel they are not celebrated equally compared to their boy peers, reinforcing the message that girls’ sports are valued differently. Over time, that unequal visibility and recognition can influence whether girls feel they belong in sport at all.
The 2026 WSF Sport Report puts a specific number to this shift: at ages 8 to 10, 80% of both girls and boys say sports are “for someone like me.” By ages 14 to 18, that figure drops to 66% for girls — compared to 73% for boys. Girls lose their sense of belonging in sports at more than twice the rate of boys across adolescence. By high school, roughly one in three girls does not feel that sports are for someone like her.
Why it matters
WSF’s Thriving Through Sport research found:
As the youth mental health crisis continues to grow, these findings highlight the important role sports can play in helping girls build healthier habits, stronger self-worth, and emotional resilience that can impact every stage of life.
Every girl deserves the opportunity to participate in sports in environments where she feels safe, respected, and supported. Feeling excluded, unsupported, or unwelcome in a sport environment can affect whether girls choose to stay involved.
Why it matters
Inclusive and supportive sport environments help girls thrive both on and off the field. Girls are more likely to stay in sports when they feel respected, represented, and protected.
Creating inclusive environments is not just about participation. It is about ensuring girls have the opportunity to thrive, lead, and continue benefiting from sport throughout their lives.
At the Women’s Sports Foundation, we believe every girl deserves the chance to play, lead, and thrive through sport. By addressing the barriers girls face and investing in positive, inclusive sport experiences, we can help more girls stay in the game and create healthier communities, stronger leaders, and a more equitable future for generations to come. The 2026 WSF Sport Report tracks where these barriers stand today — and what it will take to close them. Read the full 2026 WSF Sport Report →
