Female sports in the United States are becoming increasingly popular, with more and more girls and women participating and watching. In recent years, female sports have been highly viewed and admired enthusiastically worldwide. Most popular female sports in the United States.
In recent years, females have been actively participating in sports which helps them in their overall development. Whichever sports it may, It helps both males and females to enhance their physical and mental strength.
There is no sport left in which the females are lacking. They have been equally contributing in every sport.
As of 2018-2019, the ratio of males to females in the total number of sports played in the US was approximately 60% to 40%. This means that for every 60 sports played by males, there are 40 sports played by females. However, this data is static and with time it is more important to note that the gender gap in sports participation is narrowing.
United States Sports Federation is also supporting and encouraging women to participate in all kinds of sports. By promoting female sports, we can help to create a world where all girls and women have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Female sports are grabbing attention worldwide. There has been a significant increase in media coverage of women’s sports, and more and more girls and women are participating in sports than ever before. As a result, the popularity of female sports is likely to continue to grow in the years to come.
Though there are numerous sports played and watched with passion, here are the Top 10 most popular female sports in the United States:
10. Gymnastics:
Gymnastics is one of the most popular sports among females in the United States. This sport is challenging and requires much focus and physical strength. Gymnastics has the highest percentage of female contestants compared to male contestants.
In 2021, there were over 300,000 female gymnasts in the US, compared to just over 100,000 male gymnasts. This means that the ratio of females to males in gymnastics in the US is approximately 3:1.
Gymnastics is also a popular spectator sport in the US. In 2021, the US Gymnastics Championships were watched by over 1 million people on television. The 2020 Summer Olympics featured gymnastics competitions and was watched by over 100 million people in the US.
The US also has a long and successful history in gymnastics. The US has won more medals than any other country at the Olympic Games. Some of the most famous US gymnasts include Simone Biles, Gabby Douglas, and Mary Lou Retton.
Gymnastics is the most popular sport for girls in the US, after track and field and volleyball.
9. Ice hockey:
Another popular sport for females in the United States is the Ice hockey. Although it is a sport with a high number of male players participating, slowly it is also becoming popular among women.
Ice hockey is the most popular winter sport in the US. The National Hockey League (NHL) is the top professional ice hockey league in the US.
According to the reports, in 2021, there were approximately 1.8 million male ice hockey players in the US, compared to 161,000 female ice hockey players. This means that the ratio of males to females in ice hockey in the US is approximately 11:1. The gap is huge but also decreasing day by day.
As it is one of the favorite sports of the Americans, It also has a huge viewership. In 2021, the Stanley Cup Finals were watched by over 2 million people on television in the US. The 2022 Winter Olympics, which featured ice hockey competitions, were watched by over 100 million people in the US.
As the number displays, Ice hockey is a widely admired sport in the United States. Also, females are showing great interest in this sport. Definitely, in the future, it will be dominated by the females of the US.
8. Lacrosse:
Another popular sport on our list is the lacrosse. It is one of the fastest-growing sports in the US, especially among girls and women.
There are many reasons why this sport is popular among females. Because this sport is a team sport which helps them to work coordinally. It is also an active sport that helps them to gain flexibility and agility. This sport helps every individual to become strong and supple.
Lacrosse is a new sport among females compared to other sports. Due to this, It has great opportunities for females. Lacrosse was known as a male-dominated sport but the scenario has changed in recent years.
According to the US Lacrosse 2018-2019 participation report, there were 800,000 male lacrosse players in the US and 500,000 female lacrosse players. This means that the ratio of males to females in lacrosse in the US is approximately 8:5.
Though it is a new sport it has a huge viewership. The 2019 NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Championship was watched by over 1 million people on television. The 2019 NCAA Women’s Lacrosse Championship was watched by over 500,000 people on television.
Lacrosse is no doubt becoming one of the most popular sports in the United States for females.
7. Tennis:
Tennis is one of the most famous sports in the whole world. There are numerous reasons why tennis is highly esteemed in the world. It is the sport in which there is the highest female participation compared to any other sport.
Many readers would agree that tennis is an enjoyable sport. It is popular among both males and females. Whether playing to stay fit or competing professionally it is a great sport to be played.
Tennis is also attached to prestige and success. As it is popular throughout the world there are great opportunities to become successful in this sport.
Talking about the ratio of male to female participants in this sport it is 1.1:1. Which means there are approximately 17.4 million male tennis players in the US and 16.2 million female tennis players.
The 2023 US Open was watched by over 2 million people on television in the US. The 2020 Summer Olympics featured tennis competitions and was watched by over 100 million people in the US.
6. Golf:
Golf is a great sport to be played to stay active. Golf is a great sport to play with friends and family. It is a fun and challenging way to spend time together.
One of the major reasons why golf is popular among females is it is a sport that can be enjoyed by women of all ages and skill levels. This sport can help them to start their fitness journey.
Golf was viewed by around 100 million people in the US during the 2020 Summer Olympics. These huge numbers can justify why this sport is so famous.
Though it is undoubtedly a highly well-known sport in the world, female participation in this sport is low in the US. There were only 6 million female golfers compared to 24 million male golfers in the US. This number shows a huge gap that needs to be filled.
5. Softball:
Softball has been gaining traction since the 1960s and 1970s since its invention in 1887 in Chicago. Softball has become a popular sport among females within no time. It is also among the most-watched sports in the US.
Softball gained popularity due to its inexpensiveness. It can be enjoyed by any age females and pieces of equipment to play the game are also minimal.
Softball became famous among females as it is an easy sport to learn and play as well and it helps them to stay fit and healthy.
American female softball players have played a major role in making this sport so popular in the United States. The US has produced some of the greatest female softball players of all time, including Jennie Finch, Cat Osterman, and Natasha Watley. These players have inspired millions of women to pick up a softball bat and play the game.
The US women’s national softball team is one of the most successful national teams in the world, having won three Olympic gold medals and seven World Championships.
Mentioning the ratio, there are approximately 8.5 million male softball players in the US and 4.5 million female softball players. And the Women’s College World Series is one of the most viewed series in the US.
4. Soccer:
Soccer is in the list of the Top 5 most famous sports for females in the United States. Also, it is one of the most viewed female sports in the country. Soccer has a growing demand among ladies in the United States.
Soccer has a huge fan base worldwide. It is one of the most viewed sports in the world. Many reasons are making this sport hugely followed. Women are showing huge interest in this sport.
Mentioning the participation of females in this sport, there were approximately 12.8 million male soccer players in the US and 8.4 million female soccer players. This means that the ratio of males to females in soccer in the US is approximately 3:2.
As this sport is recognized worldwide there are equal and maybe more opportunities for the females to be successful in this sport.
The US Women’s National Team is one of the most successful women’s sports teams in the world. The team’s success has inspired many young girls to take this sport professionally.
3. Basketball:
On our list of top 10 most popular female sports in the United States, basketball ranks third because of its huge popularity in the United States. Basketball is the most played sport by women than any other sport in the States.
WNBA is the biggest basketball series started in 1996 as a counterpart to the NBA. WNBA has seen a huge viewership gain in recent years and it is also addressing social issues.
WNBA has given many star players like Breanna Stewart, A’ja Wilson, and Candace Parker. They have inspired young girls to play basketball.
WNBA is one of the most-watched sports series in the United States. The WNBA is watched by an average of 556,184 people in the US, according to the league’s 2023 season viewership data. This is a 21% increase over the 2022 season.
2. Volleyball:
The second most popular female sport in the US is volleyball. In this sport female participation is high compared to other sports. Female volleyball has gained huge popularity in recent years.
Volleyball is very popular among high school girls in the United States. Beach volleyball’s popularity is also increasing. Most of the young girls are showing their interest in volleyball making it a popular female sport in the US.
The United States women’s national volleyball team has also helped a lot to make this sport popular among women. They have set an example by winning important championships and trophies.
There are 800,000 female volleyball players in the US compared to 1.3 million male volleyball players. This indicates that the ratio of males to females in volleyball is approximately 3:2.
Also, it is one of the most watched sports in the US. The 2023 Women’s NCAA Volleyball Championship attracted over 1.5 million viewers on television, showcasing the sport’s popularity.
1. Track and field:
The most popular female sport in the United States is track and field. Athletics is the most popular sport in the US. This sport has a huge participation of women.
This sport is connected to America’s history. It has a long and rich history in the US. This sport includes a large variety of events that are held nationally as well as internationally expansively.
The total number of athletes in the United States is 522,761 of which 293,105 were males and 229,656 were females. The ratio of male to female athletes in the US was 1.27:1. The gap is less compared to other sports.
Women are actively becoming part of this huge sport. They are competing nationally and internationally. The winners are also enjoying success in this sport. To accept this sport as a profession requires huge physical and mental toughness.
Women are doing exceptionally well in this sport. They are also contributing to making this sport huge and more popular.