22 Most Devastating Sports Injury Statistics To Know in 2025

Physical activities always pose a risk of injury, and sports are no exception. Sports injury stats have reported that around 3.2 million people sought treatment in ERs for sports-related injuries in 2021.

Sports injuries plague the industry, with athletes getting sidelined and leagues losing profit. The Premier League clubs lost around £265.6m during the 2023 -2024 season due to poor performance resulting from injuries.

This article examines alarming sports injury statistics that have a negative impact on athletes and the sports industry in 2025.

The Percentage of Getting Injured in Sports in 2025

According to YouGov’s 2024 survey titled “Safety in Sport Perception,” statistics suggest that over one out of five (21%) people have personally experienced a sports-related injury in their lifetime.

Professional Sports Athlete Injury Statistics

The level of skills in professional sports is unmatched, and so are the risks. Professional athletes are faced with the scariest, career-ending, and life-threatening injuries. The percentage of athletes retiring due to injuries ranges from 14% to 32%.

Below are statistics that examine the frequency and impact of professional sports athlete injuries by year, sport, sports league, and associated costs.

1. Injury rates in the Premier League’s Under-21 division grew by 50% for the 2023 – 2024 season compared to the previous season.

(Releaf Physio)

During the Premier League 2023 – 2024 season, injuries among the league’s under-21 players grew from 34 to 51, an alarming 50% increase, which was attributed to increasing physical demands and congested match schedules.

Additionally, reports have suggested that injured under-21 players have spent an average of 43.92 days out per injury, a 66% increase from the previous 26.5 days in the 2022 – season and a 187% increase compared to the 2020-2021 season.

2. The NFL logs in the most number of injury reports annually, with around 64.7 per 1000 athletes being exposed to injuries.

(Nature)

In a study that assessed over 4,000 athletes from top professional sports leagues (NBA, MLB, NHL, and NFL), injury reports were categorized per sport, and the results below showed some alarming details:

1. For BASEBALL, injury reports were around 3.61 per 1,000 athlete exposures;
2. Regarding BASKETBALL, there were 19.3 per 1,000 athletes;
3. More alarmingly, there were 64.7 per 1,000 athletes exposed to injury in AMERICAN FOOTBALL;
4. Lastly, reports have stated seeing 49.4 injuries per 1,000 athletes in ICE HOCKEY.

3. 43% of athletes will sustain at least one injury per season.

(UKSport)

Around 43% of athletes globally will sustain at least one injury during a season, with some potentially suffering multiple injuries. The injuries sustained also lead to athletes getting sidelined, with each injury causing around 1 match to be missed and 17 days of lost training time on average.

Surprisingly, the rate and severity of injury during training sessions are lower than during competition. Moreover, injuries to the hips, lumbar spine, knees, and shoulders pose the most significant risk to athletes in terms of total days sidelined.

4. Knee injuries cause alarm in Europe’s Big Five football league as the average number of days sidelined due to injury grows to 51.46 days spent on average per athlete.

(BBC)

During the 2023 – 2024 football season across “The Big Five” (Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, and Ligue 1), there were 367 counts of knee injuries, a 10.2% increase up from 333 knee injuries during the previous 2022 – 2023 season.

On average, the number of days that an athlete spent sidelined due to knee injuries fell slightly from 52.95 days in 2022 – 2023 to 51.46 days in 2023 – 2024, which was significantly higher than the 33.56 days spent sidelined in 2021 – 2022.

Bundesliga players have suffered the most knee injuries, with 384 instances, followed by the Premier League, which garnered 297 knee injury counts. The figures show a 5% increase in overall costs associated with injuries compared to the 2022-23 season for Europe’s Big Five.

5. Sports injuries cost the Premier League £265.6 million during the 2023 – 2024 season.

(BBC)

In the 2022 – 2023 season of the Premier League, the association lost around £240.4 million due to injuries. These statistics unfortunately, increased in the next season, as the 915 counts of injuries in 2023 – 2024 cost the league £265.6 million.

Aside from the statistics above, it was also reported that Premier League teams were also affected by 1 injury every 94 minutes of competitive football, which cost them £3,081 per minute, roughly £277,290 for an entire fixture.

Sports Injury Statistics for Non-Professional Athletes in 2025

With sports becoming one of the most beloved activities globally, it’s easy to assume that basically everyone in the world plays sports of all kinds. In fact, sports medicine has thrived due to the rise of sports-related injuries and the growing sports and fitness industry. 

Looking at the global sports scene, the market for sports medicine was valued at $5.08 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach an 8.2% CAGR from 2023 to 2030.

Considering that, it means that every person in the world, regardless of sex, age, and the chosen activity, can be a part of the sports injury statistics, as seen in the statistics below.

6. Around 11.67% of the population of US children and teens doing sports have experienced notable injuries.

(Stanford Children’s, Hopkins Medicine) 

According to Stanford Medicine, an estimated 3.5 million incidents of children and youth sports-related injuries have been reported in the US. This accounts for around 11.67% of the total 30 million US children ages 14 and younger who participate in sports.

More so, the reported injuries were stated to have resulted in lost play time for the children or worse, inability to participate in sports and recreational activities anymore.

7. An estimated 3.709 million people received treatments for sports-related injuries.

(Injury Facts)

In the US, ER departments have reported that over 3.7 million people received treatments due to injuries involving sports and recreational activities, a 2% increase from 2022’s statistics of around 3.63 million sports-related injuries.

On an alarming note, sports injury stats have shown that from 2013 to 2023, the average number of injury counts reported within ER departments yearly was around 3.81 million, with the lowest count being 2.7 million injuries in 2020 to 4.31 million injuries in 2013.

8. Sprains and strains are tied for the most common sports injuries in 2024, accounting for 41% each for all sports injury diagnoses.

(IU Health)

The CDC’s 2024 report categorized sports injuries per body part affected, which painted an interesting figure on how injuries occur for athletes. In the report, the following were highlighted on which body parts account for particular sports injuries:

LIGAMENT SPRAINS (41%)
Ankle Ligament	15%
Lateral Ankle Sprain	75%
MUSCLE/TENDON) STRAINS (41%)
Lumbar Muscle	12%
FRACTURES (20%)
Bone Fractures	9%
DISLOCATIONS (4%)
Shoulder Dislocations	39%
Finger Dislocations	27%
Knee Dislocations	23%

9. Injuries among preteens and young teens rose by 58% in 2021.

(Valuepenguin)

From the start of the pandemic in 2019, a 56% decline in sports-related injuries among Americans ages 10-19 occurred, most likely linked to COVID protocols to stay at home.

The limited opportunities for social interaction and organized sports during the pandemic have led to a surge of 58% in informal and unstructured play among preteens and young teens.

Below are the total number of sports-related injuries among Americans ages 10 to 19 from 2012-2021:

YEAR	NUMBER OF INJURIES	% CHANGE
2012	1,367,860	N/A
2013	1,246,839	-9%
2014	1,232,017	-1%
2015	1,200,989	-3%
2016	1,154,479	-4%
2017	1,146,149	-1%
2018	1,029,078	-10%
2019	982,345	-5%
2020	428,858	-56%
2021	676,318	58%

10. Boys and men accounted for 71% of sports-related injuries regardless of age.

(Valuepenguin)

In 2021, boys outnumbered girls in high school sports. Approximately 4.4 million boys engaged in high school sports in the US, surpassing the girls who participated, which stood at 3.2 million.

Boys had a higher participation rate in basketball, with over 521,000 compared to 370,000 female players. This difference highlights why men experience more sports-related injuries.

The sports market size of males vs. females also tells of a disparity, with stats showing that fans consume more men’s sports than women’s sports content.

Statistics on Athlete Injury by Sports

Among the most resounding ways to assess the gravity and frequency of sports injury is to categorize it per sport, knowing that each sport has its own demands, leading to varying degrees of injury possibility.

There are conflicting numbers as to which sport poses the most risk. According to OSU, American football produces the most injuries per 1,000 hours of participation. However, the underlying factor is the extent of damages. In fact, up to 20% of professional boxers sustain a chronic traumatic brain injury.

To discover which sport poses the most risk for its athletes, let’s explore the statistics below, dividing the sports injury per sport.

11. In 2023, cycling-related injuries ranked 2nd in reports from ER departments in the US, with 405,688 injury counts.

(Injury Facts)

Around 13%, or approximately 482,886 injuries were from exercising and/or exercise equipment,  11% (405,688 reports) were cycling-related, and 9%, or exactly 332,391 counts were injuries from participating in basketball.

Mostly, the top three injury-causing activities are expected to result in a comparatively higher injury count than non-contact sports like fishing, which consistently ranks 2nd to the last, with an average of 55,995 injury reports.

12. For children, bicycling ranks second in injury count, with over 254,000 children sent to emergency rooms for bike-related injuries.

(National Library of Medicine, Stanford Medicine, RHFD)

For children ages 5 – 14, bicycling is among the most injury-causing sports and recreational activities, inducing around 254,000 reports of treatment in ERs. Additionally, around 100 children are fatally harmed.

It was also reported that virtually zero children wore helmets, leading to 85% of incidents being head injuries. Over-all, ER departments have reported that 33% of treatments provided are for children with head injuries.

13. More than 4.4 million injuries treated at emergency departments occurred while playing basketball.

(Valuepenguin)

Participating in sports provides numerous physical and mental benefits but also comes with the risk of injuries. Among various sports, basketball ranked 1st with the highest rates of injuries.

From 2012 to 2021, more than 4.4 million injuries were treated at emergency departments, with basketball accounting for over a quarter (26%) of all sports-related injuries.

SPORT	NUMBER OF INJURIES	% OF TOTAL INJURIES
Basketball	4,417,141	26%
Football	3,334,277	20%
Cheerleading, Gymnastics, and Wrestling	2,300,355	14%
Soccer	1,987,566	12%
Baseball/softball	1,859,300	11%
Lacrosse, Rugby, and miscellaneous ball games	730,427	4%
Golf	530,985	3%
Volleyball	503,891	3%
Hockey (all kinds)	430,578	3%
Track and field	275,097	2%
Racquet sports	255,243	2%
Boxing	169,139	1%

14. A total of 938 pedal cyclists were killed in 2020.

(Insurance Information Institute) 

The unfortunate occurrence of federal cyclist fatalities in 2020 highlights a concerning issue that demands immediate attention. 

The reasons behind the fatalities are complex; alcohol played a role in 34% of all fatal crashes involving motor vehicle drivers or cyclists in 2020. Additionally, 79% of fatal cyclist crashes occurred in urban areas during the same year.

In this table, you will know how motor vehicles and pedal cyclists have taken lives over the years:

YEAR	TOTAL FATALITIES	PEDAL CYCLIST	PERCENT OF TOTAL FATALITIES
2020	38,824	938	2.4%
2019	36,355	859	2.4%
2018	36,835	871	2.4%
2017	37,473	806	2.2%
2016	37,806	853	2.3%
2015	35,484	829	2.3%
2014	32,744	729	2.2%
2013	32,893	749	2.3%
2012	33,782	734	2.2%
2011	32,479	682	2.10%

15. Nearly 80% of soccer injuries resulted in emergency room encounters.

(True Veta)

Soccer is often referred to as the world’s most popular sport. Approximately 150 million individuals in the US are actively involved in soccer, with over 18,000 recorded soccer-related injuries.

The intense competition and strenuous nature of soccer put players at risk of various injuries. Around 67.8% of soccer injuries occur in males, with ages 14-18 at 31.7%.

Most soccer-related injuries requiring ER admissions involve the ankle or knee, particularly among individuals aged 15-19, with approximately 40% of ER visits.

16. Boxing has a higher risk of injuries, with 107 injuries recorded from 427 boxing fights.

(BJSM)

Boxing is a combat sport with a higher risk of injuries than others. The head, neck, and face were the most frequently affected body regions, accounting for 89% of the reported injuries.

The nature of boxing matches significantly increases the likelihood of injuries. A study states that the injury rate of boxers is 250.6 injuries per 1,000 fight participants.

Head Injury Statistics by Sports

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) pose a significant health concern in the US. Each year, there are around 1.6 million to 3.8 million concussions related to sports and recreational activities.

During 2001-2005, children and adolescents aged 5 to 18 had 2.4 million visits to emergency departments for sports-related injuries, with about 6% (135,000 cases) involving concussions.

Listed below are some of the notable recorded head injuries in history:

17. In 2024, sports and recreational activities contributed to over 21% of traumatic brain injuries in the US.

(AANS, UOFM Health)

According to the CDC, around 1.7 million to 3.8 million traumatic brain injuries in the US annually, with approximately 10% of the incidents occurring due to sports and recreational activities.

Unfortunately, of these cases, amongst US children and adults, sporting activities contribute to over 21% of these traumatic brain injuries.

The CDC added that 5% – 10% of athletes will sustain a concussion in any given sports season, with many of these head injuries going undiagnosed and unreported, leading to mismanagement and long-term consequences.

18. A 2022 study noted how 34% of all diagnosed concussions sustained from sports were classified as severe.

(Releaf Physio, UOFM Health)

According to the CDC, receiving concussions are extremely common for athletes, with around 3.8 million concussions occurring annually due to sports activities. More so, in any given sports season, 5 – 10% of athletes will experience a concussion.

19. Bicycling ranks 1st with the most traumatic brain injuries in 2018.

(AANS)

In 2018, hospital emergency rooms in the United States attended to approximately 454,407 head injuries related to sports activities. 

This marked a significant decrease of nearly 32,875 injuries compared to the previous year.

This section explores the categories that accounted for the highest estimated number of head injuries treated in US hospital emergency rooms during that year.

SPORTS ACTIVITY	NUMBER OF HEAD INJURIES TREATED
Cycling	64,411
Football	51,892
Playground Equipment	38,915
Basketball	38,898
Exercise & Equipment	37,045
Powered Recreational Vehicles	30,222
Soccer	26,955
Baseball and Softball	24,516
Rugby/Lacrosse	10,901
Skateboards	10,573
Trampolines	8,956
Hockey	7,668
Skating	7,143
Golf	6,357
Horseback Riding	6,141

20. In 2021, 4 traumatic injury fatalities occurred among football players.

(NCCSIR)

In 2021, approximately 4,200,000 participants played football. Tragically, four reported fatalities within this population were linked to high school football, caused by traumatic brain injuries.

Three devastating incidents (75%) occurred during games, while one (25%) transpired during practice.

21. A total of 460 rugby players were hospitalized for concussions.

(AIHW)

In 2020-2021, 5,030 rugby injuries were reported, 4,300 of which were males and 730 females. Fractures accounted for 53% of the cases. Approximately 29% of the injuries affected this area, leading to hospitalization due to concussion.

In total, 390 males and 73 females required medical attention for concussions. This is the data for rugby-related injury by body parts:

BODY PART	RATE	CASES
Head and Neck	29%	1,500
Leg and Hip	25%	1,300
Arms and Shoulders	21%	1,000
Wrist and Hand	17%	830
Trunk	5%	265
Ankle and Foot	3%	160

22. Sports-related concussions have fallen by 64% from 2012 to 2021

(Valuepenguin)

Sports-related injuries pose a significant concern among athletes, coaches, and healthcare professionals. Concussions, a common and potentially serious injury, have substantially decreased.

From 2012 to 2021, sports-related concussions experienced a remarkable decline, plummeting from nearly 94,700 cases in 2012 to approximately 57,600 cases in 2021. 

See how the numbers have dropped over the years in sports-related concussions.

YEAR	NATIONAL ESTIMATE	% CHANGE
2021	57,595	62%
2020	35,473	-56%
2019	81,114	0%
2018	80,861	-10%
2017	90,269	0%
2016	89,990	1.00%
2015	89,175	-3%
2014	92,364	-2%
2013	94,437	0%
2012	94,691	N/A

How Bettors Use Sports Injuries To Make Betting Decisions

While these sports injury statistics paint a traumatic and saddening picture of the sports industry and its athletes, it’s also interesting to note that gamblers worldwide use these numbers for personal purposes.

Specifically, bettors monitor and assess sports injury news to inform their sports betting decisions and potentially manipulate the betting scene.

How Injuries Impact Betting Odds
Sportsbooks set their odds to balance the dynamics of bets for both sides, ensuring a fair outcome. However, odds change as soon as news of a sports injury spreads. What’s more is that the bigger the athlete and the team are, the greater the impact is on the betting line.

When superstar athletes get injured, the betting line might shift significantly. Injuries to crucial athletes in vital teams and clubs in major sports leagues have a more significant effect on the betting line.

Think of it like this. In the NFL, when a sports injury is announced, it ruins proposition bets. Tyreek Hill may have an over-under of 75.5 yards receiving with Tagovailoa in, but that might change with Ewers as the QB.

The odds will certainly decrease significantly, but the rate of decrease is uncertain. If the line goes down to just 70.5, then it becomes a good prop to capitalize on, given the injury news.

How Sports Bettors Look At Injury News To Their Advantage

The truth is, studying sports injury statistics and news alone is not enough. It takes years for professional sports bettors to develop betting models, even when injuries are factored in.

The easiest way is to observe how professional bettors closely monitor sports news for changes in team personnel, recognizing that even slight changes can significantly impact team dynamics and overall game results.

For example:

In the NBA, if Luka Doncic replaces Austin Reaves as the Lakers’ starting point guard, it may impact the scoring productivity of other LA Lakers players, making it slower for prop markets to adjust.

Lastly, if prop markers adjust, these betting lines have significantly less liquidity. This means the lines are never as efficient as the point spread or totals.

The Breaking Point

The sports industry is at a crossroads. While the sports market remains thriving, with increasing participation and profits, major sports leagues are facing a crisis due to the rising number of injuries annually. 

Not only that, but it’s also alarming how sports bettors have been capitalizing, and at times possibly rejoicing when players are injured, as it may improve their betting chances.

Overall, the industry should always prioritize protecting athletes, maintaining their performance levels, and ensuring the long-term viability of sports organizations.