Women’s sports reach record NCAA participation as leadership roles keep rising

Women's participation in NCAA sports has reached a record high. So has women's influence in leadership across college athletics.

During the 2024-25 academic year — the latest NCAA Sports Sponsorship and Participation data available — 242,341 student-athletes competed across NCAA women's championship and emerging sports, marking a 14% increase over the past decade. Growth is evident in all three divisions, reinforcing the continued momentum of women's sports nationwide.

At the same time, representation of women in key leadership positions, including athletics directors, head coaches and college presidents, continues to trend upward, signaling progress both on the field and in decision-making roles.

At a glance

Total women's student-athletes (2024-25): 242,341.

Emerging sports student-athletes: 6,992 (up 24% year over year).

Female athletics directors: 279 (up 24% over 10 years).

Female head coaches: 5,126 (up 13% over 10 years).

Female presidents and chancellors: 378 (up 27% since 2017).

Record-high participation across NCAA divisions

Of the 242,341 total student-athletes competing in women's sports during the 2024-25 academic year:

235,349 competed in championship sports, up 12% over the past 10 years and 2% since 2023-24.

6,992 competed in sports in the NCAA Emerging Sports for Women program, a 24% increase from 2023-24.

Participation growth spans all three NCAA divisions:

Division I: 94,935 student-athletes, up 14% over 10 years.

Division II: 59,999 student-athletes, up 21% over 10 years.

Division III: 87,407 student-athletes, up 11% over 10 years.

The sustained decade-long growth reflects continued investment, expanded opportunities and rising interest in women's collegiate athletics.

Most-played women's sports in the NCAA

Several sports continue to anchor participation nationally.

Top women's sports by participation (2024-25):

Outdoor track and field — 33,519 student-athletes (up 3% since 2023-24, up 16% over 10 years).

Indoor track and field — 31,828 (up 4% since 2023-24, up 20% over 10 years).

Soccer — 31,200 (up 3% since 2023-24, up 16% over 10 years).

Softball — 21,916 (steady since 2023-24, up 12% over 10 years).

Volleyball — 19,810 (up 4% since 2023-24, up 16% over 10 years).

Fastest-growing NCAA women's sports

Emerging sports are fueling some of the fastest growth in women's athletics.

Among the fastest-growing sports:

Stunt: 1,231 student-athletes, up 527 student-athletes (75%) since 2023-24.

Triathlon: 362, up 57 student-athletes (19%) since 2023-24.

Rugby: 939, up 91 student-athletes (11%) since 2023-24 and up 250% over 10 years.

Acrobatics and tumbling: 1,296, up 123 student-athletes (10%) since 2023-24.

Women's wrestling, which recently came through the Emerging Sports for Women program, also saw notable growth, increasing 42% (512 student-athletes) since 2023-24 to 1,738 participants — one of the most significant participation jumps across all sports.

New NCAA championships signal continued momentum for women's sports

Participation growth is also being matched by a major step forward in the NCAA championship landscape.

At the 2026 NCAA Convention in the Washington, D.C., area, NCAA members approved four new women's championships:

Acrobatics and tumbling (inaugural NCAA championship: spring 2027).

Stunt (inaugural NCAA championship: spring 2027).

Division II bowling (inaugural NCAA championship: spring 2028).

Division III women's wrestling (inaugural NCAA championship: spring 2028).

It marked the first time four championships were added at a single NCAA Convention, underscoring the continued momentum behind women's sports and the expanding pathways to compete for national titles.

The NCAA also voted to add women's flag football to the Emerging Sports for Women program, effective immediately, creating a formal runway for the sport to grow toward championship status as more schools add varsity programs.

And two sports are poised for milestones for women this month: The first National Collegiate Women's Wrestling Championships are scheduled for Friday and Saturday, and women fencers in the NCAA will compete for a separate National Collegiate women's team title for the first time at the fencing championships March 19-22. Until this year, men and women on NCAA fencing teams have competed for a combined NCAA team title.

Growth in women's athletics leadership roles

Progress is also evident beyond competition, as leadership roles across the NCAA continue to see growth for women.

In 2025:

Click here to read article