Rusty Weiss
A significant new report has just been released, and it’s upending long-held assumptions about youth sports safety.
According to research by Conboy Law Injury & Medical Malpractice Lawyers, one popular sport sends more American teenagers to the emergency room each year than football, soccer, or any other activity — by a significant margin.
The study examined nationwide emergency room records for teens aged 13–19 and ranked sports by total annual injury counts. Researchers also identified peak injury ages and how risks evolve as kids grow older.
The results are eye-opening: while contact sports are prevalent at the top of the list, several everyday activities also generate hundreds of thousands of injuries annually.
| Rank | Sport / Activity | Total Est. Injuries | Peak Age | Ages 13–14 | Ages 15–16 | Ages 17–19 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Basketball | 754,600 | 15 | 243,200 | 254,500 | 256,800 |
| 2 | Football | 678,300 | 14 | 267,700 | 251,000 | 159,500 |
| 3 | Miscellaneous sports | 416,700 | 15 | 146,400 | 156,900 | 113,400 |
| 4 | Soccer | 399,100 | 14 | 147,300 | 140,000 | 111,700 |
| 5 | Exercise equipment | 285,000 | 16 | 59,900 | 90,300 | 134,600 |
| 6 | ATV / Mopeds | 270,400 | 15 | 83,600 | 83,000 | 103,600 |
| 7 | Bicycles | 270,200 | 13 | 115,600 | 77,400 | 77,100 |
| 8 | Skateboards / Scooters | 260,100 | 13 | 78,000 | 70,200 | 111,700 |
| 9 | Baseball / Softball | 246,200 | 15 | 93,200 | 90,400 | 62,500 |
| 10 | Volleyball | 142,300 | 14 | 51,000 | 52,600 | 38,600 |
Data source: Conboy Law Injury & Medical Malpractice Lawyers, May 2026
Why Basketball Tops the List
Basketball tops the list with a staggering 754,600 teen ER visits per year — about 75,000 more than football. Injuries remain high across all teen years and peak at age 15, when rapid growth spurts combine with faster, more physical play.
Common basketball injuries include severe ankle sprains, ACL tears, knee injuries, and concussions from collisions under the basket.
How Other Sports Compare
Football ranks second, with the highest risk at age 14 as teens enter competitive high school programs. Miscellaneous sports (cheerleading, wrestling, etc.), soccer, and exercise equipment round out the top five, with gym injuries notably increasing as teens get older and lift heavier weights with less supervision.
What the Experts Are Saying
A legal expert from Conboy Law Injury & Medical Malpractice Lawyers commented on the findings:
“When the kid gets injured playing sports, most parents don’t realize that signing a waiver doesn’t always protect the school or league from liability,” they said. “If a coach ignores a concussion protocol or sends an injured kid back onto the field too soon, that waiver might not hold up in court.”
“The real issue is that youth sports have become so competitive that winning takes priority over safety, and that’s where legal problems start.”
You can access the complete research findings here.
Parents and coaches, take note: While sports provide tremendous benefits, heightened awareness, proper coaching, and strength training, strict safety protocols are more important than ever — especially in the sport now proven to be the riskiest for teenagers.
