When people ask what girls sports are in the fall, they are usually referring to the high school sports season in the United States. The exact lineup varies by state and school district, but several sports are commonly played by girls during the fall.
The most consistent fall girls sports are volleyball and cross country. Girls soccer, field hockey, tennis, golf, swimming and diving, gymnastics, competitive spirit, and flag football are also fall sports in some states or schools. The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) notes that sports seasons can differ significantly by state, so there is no single nationwide fall schedule for every girls sport.
Girls Volleyball
Girls volleyball is one of the clearest examples of a fall high school sport in the United States.
According to the NFHS, all 50 states and the District of Columbia offer girls volleyball during the fall. That makes it one of the most consistent girls sports for the season.
Volleyball involves serving, passing, setting, hitting, blocking, jumping, and quick defensive movements. It is also strongly team-oriented, with players having to communicate and coordinate throughout a match.
For students looking for a traditional fall school sport, volleyball is often one of the first options to check.
Girls Cross Country
Girls cross country is another sport consistently associated with the fall season.
All NFHS member associations offer state championships in girls cross country, making it one of the most widespread fall sports in American high schools.
Cross country is different from many team sports because athletes compete over distance rather than in a conventional court or field game. However, runners are still part of a team and can contribute to team scoring.
The sport can be a good choice for girls who enjoy running, endurance training, and individual competition while still wanting to belong to a team.
Girls Soccer
Girls soccer is commonly played in the fall, but it is one of the sports where location matters considerably.
The NFHS 2023–24 season survey found that 26 state associations offered girls soccer in the fall, while 20 offered it in the spring and five in the winter. The five winter states were California, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
That difference is largely related to regional climate and how state athletic associations organize their seasons.
So, if a girl wants to play high school soccer in the fall, checking the athletic calendar for her particular state and school is important.
Girls Field Hockey
Field hockey is another established fall sport for girls in the United States, although it is not offered in every state.
The NFHS reported that 16 states offered girls field hockey championships in its 2023–24 season survey, with all of those states playing the sport during the fall.
Field hockey requires running, stick handling, passing, shooting, agility, and teamwork. It can be an appealing option for girls who enjoy field-based team sports and want something different from soccer or volleyball.
Because availability is concentrated in certain regions, students should check whether their school or local athletic association sponsors it.
Girls Tennis
Girls tennis can be a fall sport, but it is not nationally consistent.
The NFHS survey found that girls tennis was played in the spring in 33 state associations and in the fall in 18.
This makes tennis an excellent example of why the answer to what girls sports are in the fall depends partly on where a student lives.
Tennis can provide both individual and team competition. Players can compete in singles and doubles, develop footwork and hand-eye coordination, and work on strategy and consistency.
For girls who prefer an individual sport but still want a school-team experience, fall tennis can be a particularly good option where it is offered.
Girls Golf
Girls golf is another sport that can be scheduled during the fall.
The NFHS found that 28 state associations offered girls golf championships in the fall, compared with 21 in the spring.
Golf is fundamentally different from fast-paced team sports. It emphasizes precision, concentration, technique, course management, and decision-making.
Girls who enjoy individual competition or a less contact-oriented sport may find golf appealing. It can also be played recreationally throughout life, making it a sport with value beyond high school competition.
Girls Swimming and Diving
Girls swimming and diving can take place in the fall, although the season varies by state.
The NFHS survey found that girls swimming and diving was offered in the winter in 28 state associations and the fall in 17.
Swimming develops endurance and whole-body coordination, while diving emphasizes body control, technique, balance, and precision.
Because swimming can be organized differently from one state to another, students should look at their school’s athletic calendar rather than assuming that the sport is always a fall or winter activity.
Girls Gymnastics
Girls gymnastics is offered in the fall in some states, although winter is more common.
According to the NFHS, of the 22 state associations with girls gymnastics in its survey, 16 held the sport in winter, four in fall, and two in spring.
Gymnastics can develop strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, and body control.
Girls interested in gymnastics should therefore check their state and school schedule carefully. A gymnastics program may operate year-round outside the school season even when the official high school competition season occurs at another time.
Girls Flag Football
Girls flag football is one of the fastest-growing additions to the American school sports landscape.
The NFHS reported in 2026 that increased girls’ participation was driven in part by emerging sports including flag football and wrestling.
Flag football is played without traditional tackling and involves skills such as passing, catching, route running, agility, communication, and tactical decision-making.
The sport’s availability varies by state and school, but more programs are being established. The NCAA also added women’s flag football to its Emerging Sports for Women program in 2026, further expanding its collegiate pathway.
For girls who like football but want a non-tackle version, flag football can be an attractive fall option.
Competitive Spirit and Cheer
Competitive spirit is another activity that can be part of the fall sports landscape.
The NFHS includes spirit among the sports and activities it tracks nationally, and school programs can have different competition calendars depending on the state and organization.
Competitive cheer and spirit activities can involve choreography, jumps, tumbling, stunts, strength, flexibility, and teamwork.
Because school spirit programs can have both sideline and competitive components, the season and classification may differ from traditional sports.
Which Girls Sports Are Always in the Fall?
If you want the simplest answer, girls volleyball and girls cross country are the most reliable nationwide examples.
The NFHS specifically reports that all 51 member associations—50 states plus the District of Columbia—conduct girls volleyball and cross country during the fall.
Other sports have more regional variation.
| Girls sport | Fall availability in the U.S. |
|---|---|
| Volleyball | Fall in all 50 states plus D.C. |
| Cross country | Fall in all 50 states plus D.C. |
| Soccer | Fall in many states, but varies |
| Field hockey | Fall where offered |
| Tennis | Fall in some states |
| Golf | Fall in many states |
| Swimming & diving | Fall in some states |
| Gymnastics | Fall in a small number of states |
| Flag football | Growing fall opportunity; varies by state |
| Competitive spirit | Schedule varies by program |
These figures reflect NFHS state-season data and are not a guarantee of what a particular school offers.
Why Fall Sports Differ by State
There is no universal high school sports calendar across the entire United States.
State athletic associations determine many of their own season schedules, and factors such as climate, school calendars, facilities, and regional traditions can influence when sports are played.
Soccer provides a good example. It is commonly thought of as a fall sport, but the NFHS found that girls soccer was split among fall, spring, and winter schedules depending on the state.
Weather can be particularly important for outdoor sports. States with warmer climates may move outdoor soccer to winter, while other states can comfortably schedule it during the fall.
This is why students should always check their state’s athletic association and their individual school’s sports calendar before assuming a particular sport is offered in the fall.
Popular Fall Sports for Girls
Fall sports are a major part of girls’ high school athletics in the United States.
In the NFHS 2024–25 participation survey, volleyball had 492,799 girls participants, soccer had 393,048, and cross country had 191,733. The survey also listed swimming and diving and lacrosse among the top 10 girls sports nationally, although participation numbers do not necessarily mean every sport is played during the fall in every state.
The NFHS’s 2025–26 data also shows the continuing importance of girls’ participation in school athletics, with more than 8.4 million total high school sports participation entries nationwide.
For a student choosing a fall sport, popularity can be useful information, but it should not be the only consideration.
How to Choose a Fall Sport
The best fall sport depends on what the athlete enjoys and what her school offers.
A girl who likes team competition might prefer volleyball, soccer, field hockey, or flag football. Someone who enjoys individual challenges might prefer cross country, tennis, or golf.
Other factors to consider include:
- Interest: Choose something she actually enjoys.
- Experience: Beginners can start with introductory or junior varsity programs.
- Coaching: Look for qualified coaches and a positive team environment.
- Schedule: Consider practices, competitions, schoolwork, and transportation.
- Cost: Some sports require more equipment, travel, or club participation than others.
- Goals: Think about recreation, fitness, school competition, or future college opportunities.
- Safety: Make sure the program follows appropriate training and safety standards.
A sport does not have to be the most popular one to be the right choice.
Can Girls Play Multiple Fall Sports?
It is possible in some situations, but school schedules often make participating in two simultaneous varsity sports difficult.
Practices and competitions may overlap, and athletes also need time for schoolwork and recovery. Some schools may allow participation in multiple sports under specific circumstances, while others have policies that limit simultaneous participation.
A student interested in two sports should speak with both coaches and the school’s athletic department before committing.
Another option is to play one sport during the fall and participate in another during the winter or spring.
Frequently Asked Questions
What girls sports are in the fall in high school?
Common fall girls sports include volleyball, cross country, soccer, field hockey, tennis, golf, swimming and diving, gymnastics, competitive spirit, and increasingly flag football. The exact schedule varies by state and school.
What girls sport is always in the fall?
Girls volleyball and girls cross country are the most consistent nationwide. The NFHS reports that all 50 states and the District of Columbia conduct both during the fall.
Is girls soccer a fall sport?
Often, yes, but not everywhere. The NFHS found that 26 state associations held girls soccer in the fall, while others scheduled it in winter or spring.
Is girls tennis a fall sport?
It can be. Girls tennis is played in the fall in some states and spring in others. The NFHS reported 18 states with fall girls tennis and 33 with spring girls tennis in its 2023–24 survey.
Is girls golf a fall sport?
Yes, in many states. The NFHS reported 28 state associations with girls golf championships in the fall and 21 in the spring.
Is girls swimming a fall sport?
Swimming and diving can be a fall sport, but it is more commonly scheduled in winter. The NFHS reported 17 states with girls swimming and diving in the fall and 28 in winter.
Is flag football a fall sport for girls?
It can be, and its presence is expanding. The NFHS identifies flag football as an emerging girls sport and reported increased girls’ participation driven partly by flag football and wrestling.
Conclusion
The answer to what girls sports are in the fall depends on the state and school, but volleyball and cross country are the two most consistent nationwide options.
Girls soccer, field hockey, tennis, golf, swimming and diving, gymnastics, competitive spirit, and flag football can also be part of the fall schedule. Because sports seasons differ across the country, checking the local school and state athletic association is the best way to confirm what is available.
For girls choosing a fall sport, the strongest choice is usually one that combines genuine interest with good coaching, an appropriate level of competition, manageable scheduling, and a positive experience.