The Aspen Institute’s Project Play initiative released its “State of Soccer New York City/North Jersey” report, a first-of-its-kind analysis of the region’s youth soccer ecosystem commissioned by the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund as part of its Play to Thrive initiative. The report examines barriers to participation and identifies opportunities to expand access for children across the region ahead of the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, which will hold its final in New Jersey on July 19.
Children turn to soccer for connection, joy and belonging — yet costs, infrastructure shortages and systemic inequities often restrict access to young people who can benefit the most from play. At a moment of heightened national attention on the sport, the report uncovers a unique opportunity to rebuild youth soccer as a more equitable, accessible and youth-centered system.
To uncover these findings about the youth soccer ecosystem in New York City and North Jersey, Aspen’s Project Play conducted a sport-specific “State of Play” analysis that included interviews with local leaders and policymakers, a regional community summit, focus groups with children, parents, and coaches, a data analysis of field availability versus demand, and a survey of nearly 700 youth soccer players. The survey lets children share their soccer experiences directly, so local leaders can improve programs based on their feedback.
Key Findings:
- The “Fun Gap”: Children play soccer primarily for social reasons, valuing friends (48%), fun (46%) and skill-building (45%) over winning (23%) or scholarships (13%). However, the current system is driven almost entirely by the chase for scarce college or professional playing opportunities, often overlooking the sport’s broader benefits attached to a child’s physical, mental and social well-being.
- Cost as a Primary Barrier: Nearly one-third of players (32%) cite expensive team fees as a major issue, a figure that climbs to 41% for children from low-income households. Although community-based organizations and public agencies are working to bridge the gap, limited resources continue to sideline kids from the game.
- “Soccer Deserts” and Infrastructure Shortages: Demand for the sport vastly outpaces the supply of functional playing spaces, particularly in dense urban areas like the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Newark.
- The Transportation “Hidden Tax”: Access to play is often determined by car ownership. While 86% of high-income players are driven to practice, only 21% of low-income players have the same reliable access.
- Gender Disparity in Participation: Girls represent just 38% of high school players in New York City and 42% in North Jersey — both below the 45% national average. The report finds that many girls feel intimidated or ignored in mixed-gender coed settings, leading to earlier dropout rates.
- The Decline of Pickup Play: Historically vital to the region’s soccer culture, unprogrammed soccer is vanishing. As children rarely organize their own games, the sport is being pushed further into rigid, expensive club environments.
- Commercialization and Overtraining: The drive for elite performance has led to excessive specialized play at young ages. This overtraining contributes to burnout and a surge in serious injuries, such as ACL tears, which disproportionately affect female athletes.
The report identifies local leaders striving for a more equitable system and urges a unified approach to address systemic barriers. Key recommendations include reducing costs by prioritizing support for recreational providers, investing in infrastructure and shifting the soccer culture from high-pressure competition to a play-centric model that prioritizes mental and physical health.
Read the full “State of Soccer New York City/North Jersey” report and the executive summary.