CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Sports in West Virginia will always include Friday-night football, high school basketball, and hunting and fishing, but the landscape is changing.
A handful of “next wave” sports are gaining players quickly. Proponents say that's because they suit modern life in the state's small towns. They afford shorter learning curves, vibrant social scenes, lower barriers to entry, and the natural terrain or community spaces already in place.
Here are five up-and-coming sports that are increasingly visible in West Virginia, along with the reasons they’re growing and where that momentum is showing up.
1) Pickleball
If you live in a town and have watched tennis courts being restriped or if you've heard a steady pop-pop-pop echoing across a nearby park at dusk, you’ve listened to the sound of West Virginia’s fastest-growing “new” sport—pickleball.
Pickleball is nationally a fast-growing paddle sport that blends elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, and is valued for its easy learning curve and strong social appeal. It's played on a small court with a perforated plastic ball. Short rallies, compact courts, and a welcoming open-play culture make it especially popular with beginners, older adults, and communities seeking an inclusive, low-cost recreational sport.
However, the rise in pickleball in West Virginia isn’t just recreational anymore. West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon now offers a varsity pickleball program with scholarships. That's how quickly organized play is professionalizing and moving onto campuses. The sport has spread beyond retirement communities into multi-age leagues.
Why is pickleball taking off in West Virginia?
Low barrier to entry: Smaller courts, lighter paddle skills, and quick rallies make it accessible for beginners.
Built-in community: Open play formats turn strangers into regulars fast—precisely the kind of social glue small towns thrive on.
Facility-friendly: A single tennis court can often host multiple pickleball courts, stretching municipal recreation budgets.
What to watch next: More school-based and collegiate programs. Local parks are adding dedicated courts rather than shared tennis layouts.
2) Disc Golf
Disc golf has quietly shifted from a niche hobby to a mainstream, family-friendly sport, and West Virginia is building the infrastructure to match.
In 2023, the state became the newest member of the “Century Club,” hitting 100 courses after adding seven that year. By 2025, course rankings and reviews suggest that new or recently improved layouts are becoming destination-level draws within the state.
Community health and recreation groups have increasingly used disc golf as a relatively affordable way to activate parks and encourage residents to spend time outdoors.
Why is disc golf taking off in West Virginia?
West Virginia’s terrain fits the sport: Wooded fairways, elevation changes, and four-season scenery turn a round into a hike with a scorecard.
Cost-effective growth: A course can be far cheaper than many traditional sports facilities, which matters for small municipalities.
Sports tourism potential: As more people travel to play highly rated courses, “a weekend of disc golf” starts looking like a realistic visitor itinerary.
What to watch next: More town-led course projects (disc golf is increasingly viewed as a park upgrade that pays back in use). A gradual shift from casual play to league and event culture as course density increases.
3) Mountain Biking
Increasingly, mountain biking in all its forms—downhill, enduro, cross-country, gravel, and e-bike riding—is building on West Virginia's natural advantage as a year-round draw for riders and traveling cyclists.
At the gravity end of the spectrum, lift-served bike parks like Snowshoe Mountain have helped put the state on the national mountain-bike map. Downhill and enduro riders can access steep, technical terrain without grinding climbs, making West Virginia’s vertical relief a feature rather than a barrier.
Cross-country trail systems, rail-trails, and backcountry gravel roads are expanding mountain biking’s reach beyond resorts and race weekends. Forest roads in the Monongahela National Forest, converted rail corridors, and purpose-built singletrack near towns give riders options ranging from family-friendly loops to multi-hour endurance rides. Find out more at the West Virginia Mountain Bike Association.
Why is mountain biking taking off in West Virginia?
Terrain for every discipline: Steep slopes support downhill and enduro, while rolling plateaus, forest roads, and rail-trails suit cross-country, gravel, and e-bike riding.
Low barriers to entry: Lift-served parks and e-bikes reduce the fitness and time commitment required to access large terrain.
Tourism-friendly events: Races and ride weekends attract riders, families, and spectators, supporting lodging, dining, and local outfitters.
Cross-over appeal: Hikers, rail-trail cyclists, and even former dirt-bike riders find natural entry points into mountain biking.
What to watch next: Continued investment in trail systems near towns, more multi-discipline events that combine racing with recreational rides, and growing recognition by communities that mountain biking—whether downhill, gravel, or electric-assist—is a durable driver of outdoor tourism and local economic activity.
4) Hiking
Hiking has long been woven into West Virginia’s identity, but in recent years it has shifted from a traditional pastime into one of the state’s most visible and accessible outdoor draws.
West Virginia’s mountains, forests, and river gorges offer thousands of miles of trails ranging from short town walks to multi-day backcountry routes. From rail-trails and state park loops to rugged high-elevation wilderness, hiking here spans nearly every skill level.
Local communities increasingly see hiking as both a quality-of-life asset and an economic driver. Trailheads bring foot traffic to small towns, support outfitters and cafés, and encourage more extended stays rather than quick drive-through visits.
Why is hiking taking off in West Virginia?
The landscape does the work: Steep ridges, deep hollows, waterfalls, and panoramic overlooks mean hikers are rarely far from dramatic scenery, even on short outings.
Low barrier to entry: Unlike many outdoor sports, hiking requires minimal equipment and can be enjoyed year-round, making it accessible to families, retirees, and visitors new to outdoor recreation.
Health and wellness appeal: Hiking aligns with growing interest in outdoor fitness, mental health benefits, and screen-free recreation.
What to watch next: More trail-town designations and downtown-to-trail connections, continued investment in long-distance routes and loop systems, and a shift toward curated hiking experiences—guided walks, interpretive trails, and multi-day itineraries that combine hiking with local food, history, and lodging.
5) Girls Wrestling
Wrestling has deep roots in West Virginia gyms. The fastest-growing segment is girls' wrestling, which is expanding participation and formal structure.
In August 2023, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame reported that West Virginia became the 43rd state to host official girls' state championships, following a statewide announcement of a girls' wrestling invitational/state-level format. Since then, the state’s wrestling ecosystem has continued to reflect the growth. Tournament listings and results pages increasingly include girls' divisions and girls-specific events in-season.
Why is girls' wrestling taking off in West Virginia?
More opportunities + legitimacy: Official championship pathways matter. When athletes see a real postseason, participation tends to follow.
Low equipment barriers: Compared with many travel-intensive sports, wrestling is more accessible, primarily through school programs.
Culture fit: West Virginia communities that already value wrestling are well-positioned to support the girls' side as it grows.
What to watch next: Growth in girls-only kickoff events and invitational formats as more schools field athletes. Increasing numbers of coaches and clinics explicitly geared to girls' wrestling as competitive depth builds.
6) Esports
Not every up-and-coming sport needs a field. For a growing number of West Virginia students, competition happens on screens, but with schedules, brackets, coaches, and school pride.
West Virginia University Esports has been hosting and supporting statewide scholastic competition, including the West Virginia Scholastic Esports League. At the broader high school level, PlayVS places West Virginia within its school esports footprint. Some in-state colleges have established scholarship-based esports programs, including West Virginia Wesleyan College’s.
Why are esports taking off in West Virginia?
Accessibility for more students: Esports can include students who may not be able to join traditional teams, whether due to geography, transportation, or physical limitations.
Clear pathways: When universities host events and colleges offer scholarships, it signals legitimacy.
Skills crossover: Competitive gaming often aligns with tech fluency, teamwork, and communication skills that schools increasingly seek to develop.
What to watch next: More school-district participation as leagues standardize rules and seasons. Universities are using esports to strengthen recruiting and student life programming, including hosting live events.
Why these five sports fit West Virginia right now
Taken together, the pattern is clear: each sport scales well in small communities. They also welcome newcomers and thrive in spaces West Virginia communities already possess—parks, schools, trails, and community centers.
- Pickleball and disc golf are municipal recreation investments that convert simple courts and courses into high-use community hubs.
- Hiking and mountain biking leverage West Virginia’s terrain and tourism economy, with Snowshoe demonstrating how events can anchor a season.
- Girls' wrestling expands a traditional sport into a new era of participation, supported by official state-level recognition and ongoing events.
- Esports provides the state with a rapidly growing competitive channel that is less dependent on geography—and increasingly connected to universities and scholarships.
In a state that sells itself on community and the outdoors, these sports share three things: they’re easy to join, easy to organize, and once they catch, hard to stop.
Quick Facts: Up-and-Coming Sports in West Virginia
Pickleball
- Why it’s growing: Easy to learn, social, and playable year-round indoors or out
- Significant signal: West Virginia college programs now offer pickleball scholarships
- Where you’ll see it: City parks, recreation centers, repurposed tennis courts
Disc Golf
- Why it’s growing: Low cost, family-friendly, and perfectly suited to wooded terrain
- State milestone: West Virginia has surpassed 100 disc-golf courses statewide
- Where you’ll see it: Town parks, state forests, community green spaces
Enduro Mountain Biking
- Why it’s growing: Combines downhill speed with endurance and scenic trails
- Signature venue: Snowshoe Mountain hosts competitive enduro events
- Where you’ll see it: Resort bike parks and mountain trail systems
Girls Wrestling
- Why it’s growing: Official state-level recognition and rising school participation
- Historic step: West Virginia now hosts girls' wrestling state championships
- Where you’ll see it: High school gyms, invitational tournaments, winter sports seasons
Esports
- Why it’s growing: Expands access to competitive sports beyond physical geography
- Organized play: Statewide scholastic leagues and college-level programs
- Where you’ll see it: School media centers, university esports arenas, online finals
Big Picture: These sports are expanding because they are accessible, community-oriented, and scalable. Many rely on existing infrastructure—parks, schools, trails—rather than costly new builds. Together, they reflect how West Virginia sports culture is evolving beyond traditional fields and courts
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