Last updated August 14, 2026
Youth soccer decisions are personal, but the larger picture helps. These figures bring together current data from U.S. Soccer, the NCAA and the Aspen Institute for families, writers and organizations looking for a clear snapshot of the U.S. youth soccer landscape.
Key youth soccer statistics
70%
of children leave soccer by age 14
U.S. Soccer reports that participation falls sharply through the middle-school years. Keeping the game enjoyable, accessible and appropriate to the player matters.
Source: U.S. Soccer, Grow the Game, accessed August 14, 2026 ↗69%
increase in parent spending on soccer since 2019
The Aspen Institute's 2025 parent survey found that soccer costs rose significantly over five years, placing affordability and clear value high on many families' lists.
Source: Aspen Institute Project Play survey, March 2025 ↗3h 23m
average daily parent time on a practice or game day
That time includes travel, attending activities, equipment and uniforms, meals, conversations with players, and communication with coaches and other parents.
Source: Aspen Institute parent survey, August 2025 ↗5.9%
of high school boys' soccer participants compete in NCAA soccer
The NCAA counts 484,908 boys' high school soccer participants and 28,746 men's NCAA soccer participants. Its figure covers NCAA schools only and is an estimate, not a guarantee for any individual player.
Source: NCAA, 2024-25 participation data, accessed August 14, 2026 ↗7.9%
of high school girls' soccer participants compete in NCAA soccer
The NCAA counts 393,048 girls' high school soccer participants and 31,200 women's NCAA soccer participants. Its figure covers NCAA schools only and is an estimate, not a guarantee for any individual player.
Source: NCAA, 2024-25 participation data, accessed August 14, 2026 ↗1.4% / 2.8%
of boys / girls high school participants reach NCAA Division I soccer
The NCAA estimates the Division I pathway separately from Division II and Division III. Families benefit from building an academic and athletic plan that keeps more than one next step open.
Source: NCAA, 2024-25 participation data, accessed August 14, 2026 ↗What the numbers mean for families
The right soccer environment is not defined by one percentage or one result. The most useful programs give players a repeatable routine, informed coaching and enough room to keep academic, physical and personal development moving together.
The college figures are especially useful as planning context. They show why families should value the full pathway, including coursework, recovery, coaching and a realistic set of next-step options, rather than treating one division or one outcome as the only measure of progress.
Read the parent guide to soccer academies →Sources and methodology
This page uses publicly available information from the organizations named beside each statistic. Statistics are presented as reported by their source and are refreshed when a key source releases newer data.
Cite this page
Brooke House Academy. “Youth Soccer Statistics.” Updated August 14, 2026. https://brookehouseacademy.com/youth-soccer-statistics