Key Takeaways
- 32+ million U.S. kids played team sports in 2024, the highest number on record, with the average youth athlete now playing two sports
- M&A activity increased 47.7% with 68% growth in deal volume through Q2 2025, with $52B raised across 503 sports-related deals this year
- Over $1B in new and renovated U.S. youth sports facilities opened in 2025 alone
- Arthur M. Blank honored with Impact Award for donating over $1B through The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation
- Summit was live-streamed globally for the first time via SportsEngine platform, expanding reach to international audiences
Record Participation Signals Sustained Growth
The Fifth Annual National Youth Sports Summit, presented by SportsEngine and held at LakePoint Sports in Atlanta last month, opened with participation data that confirmed the industry’s expansion trajectory. Todd Smith, President & CEO of the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), reported that 32+ million U.S. kids played team sports in 2024, marking the highest number on record. The average youth athlete now plays two sports, indicating deeper engagement across the participant base.
Smith pointed to a “decade of mega-events” culminating in the 2034 Winter Olympics as a catalyst for continued growth in participation, visibility, and investment. He also noted record submissions to SFIA’s startup competition and identified AI as a tool helping leaders understand participation barriers and enhance athlete experiences.
Investment Activity Reaches Historic Levels
Mark M. O’Brien, President & CEO of LakePoint Sports, characterized the $40B travel and youth sports marketplace as “white hot” and “on the precipice of a youth sports transformation.” The data presented at the Summit backed his assessment. M&A activity increased 47.7% with 68% growth in deal volume through Q2 2025. The industry raised $52B across 503 sports-related deals this year, while over $1B in new and renovated youth sports facilities opened in 2025.
O’Brien described a movement toward a more connected ecosystem integrating owned and operated events, elite venues, national brands, and nonprofits. He noted that strategic partnerships and increased investment are accelerating this evolution, with government agencies exploring new funding initiatives to expand resources and access.
Technology and Media Reshape Fan Experience
Panel discussions at the Summit explored how technology is changing youth sports operations and fan engagement. Cameron Korab, Founder of Youth Sports Business Report, moderated a conversation with Nick Busto, VP of Video Operations at SportsEngine, and David Rudolph, CEO of PlayOn! Sports, examining how media, data, and video technologies are creating new visibility and growth opportunities.
Matt Hong, President of Sports at Versant, discussed how streaming platforms and digital access are transforming how families experience youth sports. Other panels featured Bill Seely of Varsity Spirit and Rosie Spaulding of LOVB on community-driven participation growth, and Darren Rovell and Steve Ziff of Cllct on the business of collectibles and nostalgia in youth sports.
Global Events Drive Soccer Expansion
Dave Smith, Executive Director of NASA-TopHat, Bria Garner, Director of Integrated Marketing for FIFA World Cup at Coca-Cola, and Shari Summers, Chief Growth Officer at U.S. Soccer, discussed how the FIFA World Cup and other major international events are accelerating soccer’s growth in the United States. The panel explored the sport’s expanding footprint, increased investment in youth development, and emerging opportunities as global soccer shapes American sports participation.
Strategic Implications for Industry Leaders
The Summit’s first-ever global live stream via SportsEngine platform marked an expansion in how industry gatherings can reach stakeholders beyond physical attendance. Arthur M. Blank received the 2025 Impact Award, presented by LakePoint Sports and Coca-Cola UNITED Bottling Company, with Rich McKay, CEO of AMBSE and the Atlanta Falcons, accepting on his behalf. The award recognized Blank’s over $1B in philanthropic contributions through The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation to initiatives supporting education, the environment, social justice, and community well-being.
The combination of record participation, historic investment activity, and technological advancement positions the industry for continued expansion. Smith and O’Brien closed their opening segment discussing how AI will accelerate the industry’s pace, driving new levels of connection, efficiency, and growth across the ecosystem.
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