When is international girls and women in sports day? If you mean the U.S. observance officially known as National Girls & Women in Sports Day, it is celebrated each year on the first Wednesday of February. In 2026, the day was observed on Wednesday, February 4. The Women’s Sports Foundation, which co-founded the observance and serves as its national steward, confirms February 4, 2026, as the 2026 celebration.
The name can sometimes cause confusion because people may refer to it informally as an “International Girls and Women in Sports Day.” However, the established U.S. observance is National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD). It is a nationwide celebration that recognizes the achievements of female athletes and promotes opportunities for girls and women to participate, compete, lead, and succeed in sports.
When is National Girls & Women in Sports Day?
National Girls & Women in Sports Day takes place on the first Wednesday of February every year.
Here are several recent and upcoming dates:
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2025 | February 5 |
| 2026 | February 4 |
| 2027 | February 3 |
| 2028 | February 2 |
| 2029 | February 7 |
The date changes from year to year because it follows the first-Wednesday-in-February schedule rather than having a fixed calendar date. The Women’s Sports Foundation identifies February 3, 2027, as the 40th anniversary of National Girls & Women in Sports Day.
Is it an international or national sports day?
The official U.S. observance is National Girls & Women in Sports Day, not an official United Nations “International Girls and Women in Sports Day.”
This distinction is useful because there is another major international sports observance: the United Nations International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, which takes place every year on April 6. That UN observance covers sport more broadly and is not specifically a day for girls and women.
The Women’s Sports Foundation’s National Girls & Women in Sports Day specifically focuses on girls and women in athletics, including athletes, coaches, leaders, and advocates.
So if someone searches for “international girls and women in sports day,” they may actually be looking for the U.S. National Girls & Women in Sports Day.
What is National Girls & Women in Sports Day?
National Girls & Women in Sports Day is an annual celebration recognizing the accomplishments of girls and women in sports and encouraging continued participation and opportunity.
The Women’s Sports Foundation describes NGWSD as a nationwide movement designed to inspire girls and women to play and be active while recognizing the achievements of women athletes, coaches, and leaders.
The day is about more than professional athletes.
It can recognize:
- Youth athletes
- High school athletes
- College athletes
- Professional athletes
- Coaches
- Athletic trainers
- Officials
- Sports administrators
- Sports journalists
- Volunteers
- Women working in sports business
- Girls who are beginning their athletic journey
This broad focus reflects the fact that women contribute to sports in many different roles.
When did Girls and Women in Sports Day begin?
National Girls & Women in Sports Day began in 1987.
The observance was originally created to recognize the achievements of women in sports and remember Olympic volleyball player Flo Hyman, who died in 1986. It has since developed into a broader celebration of female athletes and the continuing effort to expand opportunities for girls and women in sports.
The event also developed in the context of the progress made through Title IX, the federal law enacted in 1972 that prohibits sex discrimination in federally funded education programs.
Over time, National Girls & Women in Sports Day became an opportunity to celebrate progress while also recognizing that access and opportunity remain important issues.
Why is the day important?
Sports can provide benefits that extend well beyond competition.
For girls and women, athletic participation can provide opportunities to develop physical skills, confidence, teamwork, discipline, leadership, and relationships.
The Women’s Sports Foundation says NGWSD is intended to recognize the confidence, strength, and character that can develop through sports participation.
The day also provides a chance to recognize women who have helped change sports.
That includes athletes who broke records, coaches who developed teams, administrators who created opportunities, and advocates who worked to improve access to athletics.
What does the day celebrate?
National Girls & Women in Sports Day can celebrate achievements at virtually every level of sport.
Athletic achievements
Female athletes compete in virtually every major sport, including:
- Basketball
- Soccer
- Volleyball
- Tennis
- Swimming
- Track and field
- Gymnastics
- Softball
- Lacrosse
- Golf
- Hockey
- Wrestling
- Flag football
- Cycling
- Combat sports
The day provides an opportunity to recognize athletes for their accomplishments without limiting recognition to professional competition.
Women in sports leadership
Women also play important roles away from the playing field.
They work as coaches, athletic directors, sports executives, trainers, officials, journalists, broadcasters, agents, and administrators.
Recognizing these roles is important because the sports industry depends on many different types of professionals.
Girls beginning sports
The day can also encourage girls who have never played organized sports to give an activity a try.
That might mean joining a school team, participating in a community recreation program, trying an individual sport, or simply becoming more physically active.
The purpose is not to tell every girl which sport she should play. Instead, it is about creating opportunities and encouragement.
How can schools celebrate the day?
Schools can recognize National Girls & Women in Sports Day in many ways.
A school might:
- Highlight female athletes during announcements
- Invite women athletes to speak with students
- Recognize female coaches and teachers
- Hold a girls’ sports clinic
- Organize a sports skills event
- Display posters about women in sports history
- Feature girls’ teams at school events
- Host a panel discussion
- Encourage students to try a new sport
- Share stories of notable female athletes
The most useful activities are those that connect celebration with actual opportunities to participate.
How can parents celebrate?
Parents do not need to organize a major event.
They can celebrate the day by attending a daughter’s game, encouraging participation, watching a women’s sporting event together, or discussing an athlete who inspires their child.
Parents can also help girls find sports that match their interests.
A girl might enjoy a team sport such as soccer or basketball, an individual sport such as tennis or swimming, or an activity such as track and field or gymnastics.
The important point is to allow young athletes to discover activities they genuinely enjoy.
How can girls celebrate National Girls & Women in Sports Day?
Girls can participate in whatever way feels meaningful to them.
A young athlete could:
- Practice a favorite sport.
- Try a new activity.
- Attend a sporting event.
- Learn about an influential female athlete.
- Thank a coach or mentor.
- Encourage a friend to participate in sports.
- Watch a women’s sporting competition.
- Set a new athletic goal.
Celebrating does not have to mean winning a competition. Participation itself can be meaningful.
What is the 2026 theme?
The Women’s Sports Foundation’s 2026 celebration emphasized moving beyond celebration toward continued action and opportunity for girls and women in sports. The Foundation described NGWSD as a movement focused on ensuring girls and women can play, lead, and thrive in sports and beyond.
The Foundation expected more than 300 NGWSD activations across the United States in 2026, involving schools, leagues, professional teams, and community organizations.
This shows that the observance is not limited to a single ceremony. Events can take place in communities across the country.
Is there a UN International Day for women and girls in sports?
There is not a separate UN observance officially named “International Girls and Women in Sports Day.”
However, the United Nations recognizes the role of sport in advancing gender equality and inclusion. The UN’s International Day of Sport for Development and Peace is observed on April 6 and includes broader issues such as gender equality, inclusion, health, education, and social development.
The UN has also highlighted the role sport can play in empowering women and girls.
Therefore, two dates can be important depending on what someone means:
- First Wednesday of February: National Girls & Women in Sports Day in the United States.
- April 6: United Nations International Day of Sport for Development and Peace.
They have different purposes.
What is the difference between the two days?
| Observance | Date | Main focus |
|---|---|---|
| National Girls & Women in Sports Day | First Wednesday of February | Girls and women in sports |
| International Day of Sport for Development and Peace | April 6 | Sport, peace, development, inclusion, and social progress |
National Girls & Women in Sports Day is specifically centered on girls and women in athletics. The UN’s April 6 observance is broader and applies to sport’s role in society around the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is international girls and women in sports day?
If you mean National Girls & Women in Sports Day in the United States, it is held on the first Wednesday of February. In 2026, it was February 4.
When is Girls and Women in Sports Day in 2027?
National Girls & Women in Sports Day will be observed on Wednesday, February 3, 2027. The Women’s Sports Foundation identifies that date as the 40th anniversary of the observance.
Why do we celebrate Girls and Women in Sports Day?
The day recognizes the achievements of girls and women in sports and encourages continued participation, leadership, and opportunity in athletics.
Who started National Girls & Women in Sports Day?
The observance began in 1987 and was co-founded by organizations including the Women’s Sports Foundation. The day originally recognized women’s athletic achievement and remembered volleyball player Flo Hyman.
Is National Girls & Women in Sports Day only for athletes?
No. It can recognize athletes as well as coaches, leaders, administrators, mentors, and others who contribute to girls’ and women’s sports.
Is April 6 the International Girls and Women in Sports Day?
No. April 6 is the UN’s International Day of Sport for Development and Peace. It is a broader international observance about the role of sport in peace, development, inclusion, and social progress.
Conclusion
So, when is international girls and women in sports day? If you are referring to the U.S. observance, National Girls & Women in Sports Day is celebrated on the first Wednesday of February. In 2026, it fell on February 4, and in 2027 it will be February 3.
The day recognizes female athletes, coaches, leaders, and others involved in sports while encouraging girls and women to participate and pursue opportunities in athletics.
If you meant an international UN observance, April 6 is the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace. That day is broader and is not specifically dedicated to girls and women.