When you’re joining your first fantasy football league, you may think you’re the only newbie, and it can be terrifying–especially if the league has been around for a few years.

Women are joining fantasy football leagues in record numbers! While researching Fantasy Football for Women: Seven Strategies to Beat Friends and Family at Their Favorite Game, I came across some data from ESPN.

In 2023, fantasy football hit a new record with 12 million fans playing ESPN Fantasy Football–many of them playing for the first time! Now, that’s just ESPN!

Women represent 38% of participants in fantasy football, which is the fastest-growing demographic for the game! Ladies, that means 4,560,000 women are kicking fantasy football butt right now–so you are not alone!