How Boston Families Can Start with Youth Sports Programs

Boston families seeking to enroll children in youth sports can begin with the city’s Youth Sports Hub, launched in May 2024 as an online directory of more than 300 organizations along with a facilities map for locating nearby leagues serving elementary through high school ages.

Using the Youth Sports Hub

The hub serves as the primary starting resource for locating organizations and facilities. Parents can search the directory to identify leagues that match their child’s age and location without needing prior connections to specific groups.

City Support Programs

Mayor Michelle Wu signed the Children’s Bill of Rights in Sports in 2024 and announced $300,000 in grants to support 55 community-based youth sports organizations across Boston. These measures form part of the Let’s Play Boston initiative, which focuses on increasing access for underrepresented youth, improving coaching quality, and expanding the range of available sports.

Participation Context and Goals

Youth sports participation in Boston dropped 10 percent from 2019 to 2021, reaching only 34 percent of high school students involved in at least one sports team by 2021. The Let’s Play Boston initiative aligns with a national goal of 63 percent youth participation by 2030, directing efforts toward reversing that decline through targeted access and program improvements.

Families ready to begin should consult the Youth Sports Hub directory first to match children with available local options and review the initiative’s focus areas for additional context on supported programs.