It's the year of adult sports leagues
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Team sports have become one of the fastest-growing types of exercise, with 20% of U.S. adults — up from 11% in 2020 — now saying they play them, according to a CivicScience survey shared with Axios.
Why it matters: Rec leagues help you stay active and socially connected.
What we're hearing: Getting outside with friends (and without screens) has become especially important to younger adults, says Galen Beers, executive director of the Sport & Social Industry Association.
- "No one's going out of business because people aren't playing. In fact, it's the opposite," Beers tells Axios.
State of play: Volleyball (30% of total players), soccer (18%) and softball (15%) were the most popular sports last year, per preliminary data from the trade group, which counts roughly 150 leagues as members.
The big picture: Just over half of adults get the recommended 150 minutes of cardio exercise each week, per the latest CDC analysis.
- And many report feeling lonely, which brings its own serious health risks.
Zoom in: "The social aspect is just as important as the sport itself," says Rachel Hogan, who works with clubs in Austin, Texas, Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio and Minneapolis.
- Players are often new to the city or looking to meet people outside of work, she tells Axios.
- Some even find romance on the field. One league has been dubbed the "best dating app" in Denver.
Between the lines: A rec sports renaissance could help rebuild the fraying community bonds that political scientist Robert Putnam warned about in "Bowling Alone."
- "My hockey community has been a huge support for me as I have navigated changes in my life," longtime player Ben Smith recently told Salt Lake Magazine.
Reality check: Solo time still has its rewards. Hobbies like knitting and solo camping are also on the rise, in part for their mental health benefits.
💭 My thought bubble: I joined a kickball team with friends this spring and found it delightful to jockey against fellow Austinites whom I'd probably never meet otherwise.
- Bonding with people from different generations and backgrounds comes with several perks, including fresh perspectives, research suggests.
What's next: Soccer will likely bump in popularity as the World Cup kicks off next year.
