Most Popular High School Sports, 2006–2007 & 2012–2013

Updated August 5, 2020 | Infoplease Staff

In 2012–2013, high school sports participation reached an all-time high of 7,713,577, including 3,222,723 girls and 4,490,854 boys. See the table below to compare the ten most popular sports for the academic years beginning in 2006 and 2012.

2006–2007 2012–2013
Sex and sport Participants Sex and sport Participants
Male Male
Football (11-player) 1,104,548 Football (11-player) 1,086,627
Basketball 556,269 Track & Field (outdoor) 580,672
Track & Field (outdoor) 544,180 Basketball 538,676
Baseball 477,430 Baseball 474,791
Soccer 377,999 Soccer 410,982
Wrestling 257,246 Wrestling 270,163
Cross Country 216,085 Cross Country 249,200
Golf 159,747 Tennis 157,247
Tennis 156,944 Golf 152,584
Swimming & Diving 106,738 Swimming & Diving 138,177
Female Female
Basketball 456,967 Track & Field (outdoor) 472,939
Track & Field (outdoor) 444,181 Basketball 433,120
Volleyball 405,832 Volleyball 420,208
Softball (fast pitch) 373,448 Soccer 371,532
Soccer 337,632 Softball (fast pitch) 362,488
Cross Country 183,376 Cross Country 214,369
Tennis 176,696 Tennis 181,116
Swimming & Diving 143,639 Swimming & Diving 163,992
Competitive Spirit Squads 95,177 Competitive Spirit Squads 116,508
Golf 66,283 Lacrosse 77,258
Source: 2006-2007 High School Participation Survey; 2012-2013 High School Athletics Participation Survey by the National Federation of State High School Associations.

Information Please® Database, © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

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