A national resurgence
High school football remains one of the most popular youth sports in the United States, with 1,029,558 athletes competing on 14,269 teams across every state in 2024.
Texas continues to dominate, accounting for 174,126 players — nearly double the 91,411 recorded in California, the next largest market. Ohio follows with 39,439 participants, while Mississippi, Michigan, Illinois and others round out the top tiers.
The sport felt the sting of the COVID‑19 pandemic, which trimmed the roster by 32,221 players in 2021 compared with 2018. Michigan and Illinois have been hit hardest over the longer term, each shedding more than 8,000 athletes since 2008.
Looking ahead
Despite those setbacks, participation has been on an upward trajectory in 32 states, and the overall player count has rebounded to its pre‑pandemic level by 2024. The National Federation of State High School Associations, which tracks the data, credits coordinated safety measures and community outreach for the recovery.
As the numbers climb, state athletic associations are investing in equipment upgrades, concussion protocols and inclusive programs to sustain the momentum. Whether the growth will translate into broader cultural shifts remains to be seen, but the trajectory points to a resilient future for the game.