Project Play Summit: What Stuck with Me
The leading youth sports event reinforced that access, belonging, and engagement remain some of the biggest issues — and opportunities — in the market today.
By Lincoln Gunn · May 8, 2026 · 5 min read
"Sports shouldn't be extracurricular. They should be co-curricular."
That line from Tom Farrey was the quote of the week for me, and the one I kept coming back to.
It captures something I believe deeply: sports are not just a nice add-on for kids. They build confidence, connection, discipline, leadership, and health. And as research continues to show, so does the case for treating sports as a core part of childhood, not something that sits on the margins of it.
That belief is central to why I started LudoLogic Sports, so attending the Aspen Institute's Project Play Summit in Boston this week felt especially meaningful.
1. Community is at the center of everything
Kids usually do not start playing sports because they are thinking about scholarships or elite competition. They play because their friends are playing, because it's fun, and because they feel like they belong. The question is how we extend that belonging beyond the field.
2. The industry is solving for access. Almost no one is solving for engagement.
A lot of the conversation centered on the barriers that keep kids out — cost, transportation, lack of facilities. These issues are real and systemic, and we've been following them closely. Access gets kids to the field. Engagement is what makes them want to come back.
3. Parents matter even more than you think
David Sikorjak's data showed that 82% of kids ages 13–17 participate in sports if both parents follow sports, vs. 28% if neither parent does. The real magic is the bonding that develops between parent and child during play.
4. There is real demand for better tools, at scale
The nonprofit and community sports landscape is fragmented. Many organizations want to offer more to families but lack bandwidth to create new content. There's room for turnkey programming that actually works.
5. This is a refreshing space to be building in
Project Play was a strong validation of both the need and the opportunity. Looking forward to Milwaukee next year.
View the full article at ludologicsports.com/blog/project-play-summit-2026-recap.