The Rise of Girls Wrestling: From 8% to 18% in Five Years
Girls wrestling participation has more than doubled nationally since 2020. Here's what the data reveals about the fastest-growing segment of high school wrestling.
THE BIG NUMBER
183,426
female wrestlers in our database
+9%
percentage point increase since 2020
When we started tracking wrestling data at MatMetrics, we noticed something remarkable: the proportion of female wrestlers entering the sport was climbing year over year. What started as a small uptick has become an unmistakable trend.
In 2020, roughly 8.7% of new wrestlers entering our database were female. By 2025, that number has climbed to 17.7%—more than doubling in just five years.
But the national average only tells part of the story. Some states are seeing even more dramatic growth, with Wyoming leading the pack at 25.3% female participation— meaning 1 in 4 wrestlers in America's least populous state is female.
National Trend: New Wrestlers by Year
The stacked bars show total new wrestlers each year, with the pink portion representing females.
Note: 2021-2022 shows reduced numbers due to COVID-19 impacts on youth sports.
The Percentage Tells the Story
While absolute numbers fluctuate with overall participation, the percentage of female wrestlers has climbed steadily—a clear indicator of structural change in the sport.
State Leaders in Girls Wrestling
These five states have the highest female participation rates:
| State | Female % | Female Wrestlers |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming#1 | 25.3% | 443 |
| Montana | 23.6% | 768 |
| Kansas | 23% | 2,804 |
| Oregon | 21% | 1,550 |
| Arkansas | 19.7% | 2,171 |
🏆 Wyoming leads the nation with 1 in 4 wrestlers being female— proving that population size doesn't determine impact. Read the Wyoming spotlight →
Why Is This Happening?
Several factors are converging to drive this historic growth in girls wrestling:
1. State Sanctioning
More states are officially sanctioning girls wrestling as a separate sport. When girls can compete for state championships in their own divisions, participation explodes. States like Texas, which sanctioned girls wrestling in 2020, have seen dramatic increases.
2. Visibility & Role Models
Women's wrestling in the Olympics, collegiate programs, and professional circuits has created role models for young girls. When they see women succeeding at the highest levels, the sport becomes aspirational.
3. Title IX Momentum
Schools are increasingly adding girls wrestling to balance Title IX requirements. This creates a positive feedback loop: more teams mean more competition, which attracts more athletes.
4. Cultural Shift
Wrestling is shedding its "boys only" reputation. Parents, coaches, and athletes increasingly view wrestling as a sport for everyone—one that builds discipline, confidence, and athletic ability regardless of gender.
What This Means for the Sport
If current trends continue, we could see girls making up 25-30% of high school wrestlers by 2030. That's not just growth—it's transformation.
For coaches, this means adapting programs to support female athletes. For tournament directors, it means ensuring adequate girls divisions. For the wrestling community, it means welcoming a wave of new talent that will elevate the sport.
The data is clear: girls wrestling isn't a trend. It's the future.
Explore Wrestling in Your State
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