Population growth translates into more children participating in athletics. The explosion in athletic opportunities for girls and women has doubled the use of some facilities, and resulted in the construction of thousands of new ones. Soccer, football and baseball comprise the primary sports utilizing a turf surface. In addition to participation, attendance at sporting events is increasing. Youth baseball and softball participation by young people is on a rise.
Data indicate that tackle football has seen a slight decline in youth participation in recent years.
This decline may be due to competition from other activities appealing to youth, such as in-line skating, roller hockey, and mountain biking. Also, football participation may not see increases experienced in soccer and softball since it typically does not benefit from the increased participation from female athletes. Home attendance at NCAA college football games in 1998 surpassed the 37-million mark for the first time in history.