03.12.2025

Significant Disparities in Sports Engagement Found Among Washington D.C. Youth

New Aspen Institute report shows lower sports participation rates for girls, Black children and lower-income youth in D.C; Under Armour expands Project Rampart to support access to sports in D.C.

More youth in Washington D.C. play organized sports than do so nationally, but the nation’s capital faces significant participation gaps in the most impoverished neighborhoods and among Black youth and girls, according to a report released today by the Aspen Institute’s Project Play initiative. “State of Play Washington D.C.” offers solutions on how to grow sports opportunities for all children.

 

The District of Columbia has the largest sports participation gap between girls (53%) and boys (70%) for any “state” in the U.S. among youth ages 6-17, according to the 2022-23 combined National Survey of Children’s Health federal data. D.C.’s difference is even greater when comparing the sports participation rates of Black (51%) to White (84%) youth – almost twice as large as the national gap.

Two Girls in Purple Girls on the Run Shirts
Two Kids Playing Flag Football
Group of Girls Cheerleading in a Gym

Read the full “State of Play Washington D.C.” report and executive summary in partnership with Under Armour, which plans to invest locally in youth sports opportunities by using its Project Rampart program from Baltimore as a blueprint.

 

“State of Play Washington D.C.” analyzes the barriers and opportunities for more children in the District to play sports, given the physical, social, emotional and academic benefits of physical activity. To understand D.C. children’s sports experiences, the Aspen Institute surveyed almost 600 children; analyzed sports participation “deserts” in the city; held focus groups with young people, coaches, sports administrators and parents; interviewed key stakeholders and community members; and reviewed existing studies and data.

 

Other key findings from the report include:

 

  • Youth in Wards 7 and 8, home to D.C.’s highest poverty rates, have less access to sports. Parents in these neighborhoods are most affected by the costs to play. Participation in almost every sport, except football and basketball, is lower in Wards 7 and 8 compared to Ward 3, which is the most affluent area of the city. High schools in Wards 7 and 8 average about two fewer sports offered than the rest of the District.
  • Children are motivated by joy and friendship to play sports. The No. 1 reason D.C. kids said they play is to be with friends (58%), followed closely by having fun (56%), according to the Aspen Institute’s youth survey. Winning games ranked fifth, and pursuing college athletic scholarships was 14th.
  • Charter schools struggle to grow sports access. Charters comprise 36% of the District’s high school population and only 22% of the high school sports participants.
  • Boys most want to try boxing; girls prefer rock climbing. Baseball, karate, archery and tennis are other activities that boys said they want to try. Girls also like gymnastics, volleyball, cheer and swimming.
  • Transportation is a barrier to play. While 91% of D.C. children from high-income homes are driven to sports activities by family members, only 50% of low-income youth enjoy that benefit.
  • Too few quality fields and gyms meet the demand. The District has one of the most extensive park systems in the country. Despite historic investments in parks, sports providers are frustrated by permitting and maintenance challenges.

“Washington D.C.’s passion for sports is one of its greatest strengths and can be leveraged to help children develop healthy, lifelong benefits through sports."

“The District is also one of the most complex and politically daunting cities in the country, with an array of municipal, school, federal and private entities organizing and regulating sports with no civic mechanism to connect silos, balance competing interests and create shared solutions to shared problems.”

Tom Farrey, Aspen Institute Sports & Society Program executive director

In recent years, local governments in Fairfax County, Virginia, and Montgomery County, Maryland, formed youth sports advisory groups that regularly meet to address issues such as field permits, facility rental prices and programming costs. “State of Play Washington D.C.” recommends that the District government support the creation of its own advisory group – either sitting inside or outside of government – to focus on growing quality sports opportunities, especially for underserved youth.

 

Under Armour’s Project Rampart, launched in 2017, has significantly impacted Baltimore, Maryland by providing youth with access to top-tier performance gear, safe play spaces, and essential resources. This initiative has improved athletic opportunities and supported academic growth, with increased graduation rates, higher GPAs, and greater school and community engagement.

 

Driven by its belief in the power of sports to change young people’s lives, Under Armour is now expanding its commitment to Washington D.C., leveraging its success with Project Rampart in Baltimore as the blueprint for the next chapter. By listening to the community and applying the learnings from the “State of Play Washington D.C.”, the brand will use its resources and platform to create an equitable sports landscape, ensuring every child, regardless of gender or race, has access to the benefits of sports.

“At Under Armour, we believe in the transformative power of sports to change lives and uplift communities."

“Project Rampart in Baltimore has demonstrated the remarkable difference we can make when we provide young student athletes with the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. Expanding this initiative to including youth in Washington, D.C. allows us to further dismantle barriers and unleash the incredible potential of our next generation.”

Kevin Plank, Under Armour Founder and CEO

Two Boys Playing Basketball
Girls High School Flag Football
Girl Playing Tennis

The Aspen Institute’s research was guided by an advisory group comprised of local leaders from schools, government, police, pro sports teams and nonprofit partners, including Fight For Children. A partner on “State of Play Washington D.C.,” Fight For Children is a collaborative network of nonprofits using the power of sports to improve the lives of children.

 

“State of Play Washington D.C.” is the 16th community report produced by the Aspen Institute’s Project Play initiative. Previous reports helped mobilize leaders across sectors to set shared agendas, shape government policies, develop innovative partnerships, and unlock tens of millions of dollars in grantmaking. In 2026, the Aspen Institute will release a State of Play report in Portland, Oregon, and a State of Soccer report in the New York City/Northern New Jersey region.

The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization whose purpose is to ignite human potential to build understanding and create new possibilities for a better world. Founded in 1949, the Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve society’s greatest challenges. The Aspen Institute Sports & Society Program’s main initiative is Project Play, which develops insights, ideas and opportunities to help stakeholders build healthy communities through sports. For more information, visit ProjectPlay.org.
 
Under Armour, Inc., headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, is a leading inventor, marketer, and distributor of branded athletic performance apparel, footwear, and accessories. Designed to empower human performance, Under Armour’s innovative products and experiences are engineered to make athletes better. For further information, please visit https://about.underarmour.com/.