Youth Sports as the Pipeline for Women’s College Fans

Youth sports are more than just a feel-good community initiative—they’re the future fanbase of women’s sports. Building intentional pipelines from local teams to the college arena can fuel ticket sales, brand loyalty, and long-term engagement.

And the need has never been more urgent: research shows that girls drop out of sports at twice the rate of boys, with many leaving by age 14 due to a lack of positive role models and opportunities to stay engaged. Women's college athletes have the power to change that simply by showing up, being visible, and inspiring the next generation.

In addition, families spend massive amounts on youth sports annually, from registration fees to travel and gear. There’s a significant opportunity to tap into this market by positioning women’s college sports as affordable, family-friendly entertainment that also supports the growth of women’s athletics. Showcasing high-quality sport and coaching at the college level further reinforces this value proposition.

Tactics That Work:

• Sponsor team nights and in-game activations

• Leverage athletes NIL to attract youth fans

• Create behind-the-scenes content for young fans

• Host camps, clinics, and meet & greets

• Celebrate youth athletes on your platforms

• Align values (representation, inspiration, access)

• Partner with companies who want to give back: businesses can purchase game tickets and donate them to youth leagues. It’s a powerful win-win—supporting women’s sports while helping keep more girls in the game.

Youth engagement isn’t just about today’s game—it’s about tomorrow’s fans, players, and leaders. Want to launch a youth outreach strategy that builds loyalty and purpose? Let WSX show you how.