40th Annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day

February 4, 2026 — On February 4, 2026, we celebrate the 40th Annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD). For the past four decades, this day has been dedicated to celebrating the achievements of women in sports, as well as promoting the importance of equality in sports.

This year, the special day has been set aside to commemorate an important milestone. Sport communities are committed to celebrating the power of sport for girls and women all over the world. As we reflect on this movement, we see professional leagues thriving, viewership soaring, and athletes receiving the recognition and compensation they deserve.

At Baron®, we are honoured to help teams commemorate their finest moments. Behind every Championship Ring, lies a deeper story, one defined by hard work, sacrifice, trust, and teamwork.

As we celebrate the 40th Annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD), we proudly recognize excellence and HERstory.

• 36th Annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day
• 37th Annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day
• 38th Annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day
• 39th Annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day

2025 University of Michigan Softball Championship Ring

Big Ten Tournament – Softball Ring

The University of Michigan softball team, a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I, won the 2025 Big Ten Tournament Championship after defeating UCLA 2-0 and winning their second consecutive Big Ten Tournament title.

The University of Michigan finished the 2025 season with a 39-21 win-loss record. The game was held on May 10, 2025, at Purdue’s Bittinger Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana, as part of the 2025 Big Ten Tournament Championship game.

The win marked the Wolverines’ second shutout of a top-10 team in three days and their 12th Big Ten Tournament title.

2025 Liberty University Flames Women’s Hockey Championship Ring

Big Ten Tournament – Hockey Ring

The Liberty University Flames women’s ACHA Division I hockey team won their 7th National Championship in March 2025. Winning the game 2-1 in double overtime against Maryville. The Liberty Flames won six out of the past seven ACHA D1 Championships, winning five consecutive Championships from 2018 to 2023. The Liberty Flames came back from a 1-0 deficit in the third period, just like their 5-2 semifinal win over No. 4 Midland University the previous day.

2023 Jacksonville University Women’s Lacrosse Championship Ring

ASUN Conference – Lacrosse Ring

The Jacksonville University Women’s Lacrosse team won the 2023 ASUN Conference Championship by beating Liberty 14-13 in the final match on May 6, 2023, at Rock Stadium. This is another conference championship won by the Dolphins, thanks to the contributions of key players.

40th Annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day: 2023 Jacksonville University Women’s Lacrosse Championship Ring, 2024 Michigan State University Women’s Gymnastics BIG 10 Championship Ring Top Pendant, 2024 Sacramento State Women’s Soccer Championship Ring

The numbers tell a story. Women’s sports earned more than $1 billion in 2024, with numbers expected to climb to $2.35 billion in 2025.

An RBC data report stated that team valuations are on the rise, expected to increase from $2.6 billion to $4.3 billion in 2027.

But behind all the numbers is something far more important: passion.

Viewership of the WNBA has increased 170% in just three years. 80% of sports fans in America are now watching women’s sports.

This is no longer a trend; this is a movement.

• The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) drew 1 million fans in its second season
• Toronto Sceptres moved to an 8,000+ seat arena due to high demand.
• 53% increase in U.S. women’s soccer attendance since 2019

For the 2025 season, 14 women held general manager positions across Minor League Baseball teams, indicating a changing landscape of women in professional baseball. From Katie Beekman with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders to Julia McNeil with the Quad Cities River Bandits, these women oversee various aspects, including community impact and gameday experiences.

Inspiring the Next Generation

Their advice resonates across all sports. Brooke Cooper of the Worcester Red Sox emphasized the importance of consistency: “Anyone can be great once. It takes real character to display those traits every day, especially when faced with the gruelling nature of the baseball season.”

Kristin Call of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans reminded aspiring professionals to focus on “effort and attitude. If you put in the effort and approach your work with a positive and collaborative attitude, your work will speak for itself.”

First woman to ever umpire

In August of 2025, Jen Pawol made history as the first woman to ever umpire a regular-season MLB game since 2007. The Boston Red Sox also hosted an all-female broadcast team for a Women’s Celebration Night at Fenway Park, featuring Emma Tiedemann, Alanna Rizzo, Amy Kaplan, Anna Gregoire, Kasey Hudson, Natalie Noury, and Jenn McCaffrey.

McMaster University’s Coach Theresa Burns has announced her retirement after an incredible 34 seasons with the Marauders women’s basketball team. Her extraordinary legacy:

• 5 OUA titles
• U SPORTS National Championship in 2019
• an impressive 618 career wins

Coach Theresa Burns’ legendary career truly illustrates that true success lies in building pathways for the generations to come.

What is National Girls & Women in Sports Day?

National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) is an annual celebration recognizing the achievements of girls and women in sports while promoting equal opportunities, inclusion, and leadership in athletics. Now in its 40th year, the day highlights the positive impact sports have on confidence, teamwork, and lifelong success.

How has viewership for women’s sports changed?

Viewership for women’s sports has experienced significant growth across various leagues. In the WNBA, viewership increased by 170% in just three years following the 2020 season. The NWSL Championship final set a record with an average national TV audience of 1.18 million viewers. The 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup also achieved remarkable numbers; England’s opening match against the USA attracted a peak audience of 2.4 million on BBC One, with total live viewers over the weekend reaching 4.6 million. Additionally, U.S. women’s soccer attendance has risen by 53% since 2019. Overall, 80% of U.S. sports fans now follow women’s sports.

As we celebrate the 40th Annual National Girls & Women In Sports Day, we are witnessing an extraordinary moment. Not merely the growth of women’s sports, but a seismic shift in society’s appreciation for female athletes. The records being broken extend beyond fields, courts, and ice; they resonate in boardrooms, broadcast booths, and stadiums.

To every girl who dreams of Championship glory, to every woman blazing trails in sports leadership, and to everyone who believes in the power of athletic competition to transform lives. This day is yours. The barriers that seemed 40 years ago are falling. New leagues are forming. Records are being shattered. And the best part? We’re just getting started.

#yourjourney #yourmoment #yourlegacy

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