Gen Z Women Closing the Gender Gap in Sports Engagement, EY Survey Finds

Krissy Vann | Host, All Things Fitness and Wellness

The EY Sports Engagement Index has uncovered a significant shift in the world of sports, with Gen Z women emerging as key players in driving engagement. Of the 4.2 million Gen Z adults actively participating in sports, nearly half are female, marking a notable trend in the demographic makeup of sports fans.

The Index, based on a survey of over 4,000 UK adults, measures engagement levels across more than 150 sports. The findings reveal that 66% of Gen Z adult females are involved in sports, either by participating, following sports on TV and social media, or attending events. This is a substantial figure compared to previous generations, where only 37% of women aged 55 and older engage in sports, highlighting a closing gender gap among younger adults. Additionally, 79% of Gen Z males engage in sports, indicating a still-present but narrowing disparity.

In the UK, an impressive 13 million women are now engaging with sports, compared to 18 million men. Women are becoming key contributors in many of the UK's top sports, with over a third of football's engagement base being female. Similarly, sports like Formula 1 and Rugby Union see nearly 30% female engagement. Wellness sports and gymnastics are particularly popular, with women making up 64% and 72% of their engagement bases, respectively. Running also has a strong female presence, with women comprising 39% of its engagement base, while cycling and racquet sports like tennis and badminton have 36%, 44%, and 46% female engagement, respectively.

These young women are reshaping sports engagement, even as some sports like cricket, snooker, and Formula E still see lower female participation, with fewer than 20% of their engagement base being female. Other sports such as MMA, American football, boxing, and weightlifting also remain heavily male-driven, with female engagement at 25% or less.

Despite these disparities, the growing involvement of young women in sports signals a promising shift towards greater gender balance. Engaging in physical activity from a young age is crucial, as it promotes not only physical health but also mental well-being, confidence, and teamwork skills. As young female adults continue to drive trends in sports engagement, the EY Sports Engagement Index suggests a future where female participation continues to rise, transforming the dynamics of sports engagement and highlighting the importance of an active lifestyle for overall development.

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