Youth sports are a huge part of many kids’ childhoods, but now, fewer and fewer kids can participate.
Prices for participation in youth sports are skyrocketing, and parents aren’t in favor of it. Most high-level travel teams in all sports cost at least $3,000 to even be a player on a team, not even factoring in travel.
With the median individual income being $50,200 in 2024, most people don’t want to spend the insane prices on a sports team, with other investments being higher on the priority list.
According to The New York Times, the average U.S. family spent around $1,016 annually on their child’s primary sport in 2024. This represents a 46 percent increase since 2019. Families are constantly feeling an emotional and financial burden towards this idea and investment.
Over the last couple of years, tournament fees for all sports have gotten out of hand.
Most tournament venues have started to charge individuals $30 a day and close to $80 a weekend just to watch their kid play basketball.
These prices exceed ethical standards, especially due to the lack of competition in lots of AAU(Amateur Athletic Union)/club tournaments and the quality of play.
Regardless of skill level, venues charge the same amount, causing people who just play for fun, lots of unnecessary financial stress. Different families often experience different financial situations.
With this issue being very big around the world, families with a more comfortable financial situation often have an enhanced chance at playing at the next level, higher clubs, and much more. Organizations are not known to be flexible with the financial aspect of things.
Players with more money are going to get more exposure to training, camps, higher-level tournaments, and many more things that can carry them on to the next level.
Athletes who have a less fortunate background and lifestyle may not have the exposure that other kids do, which limits their opportunities to enhance skill levels.
For example, travel ice hockey. Prices may fluctuate from level to level depending on your location and your skill level. Hockey often ranges in price based on the level you are competing at. You can easily be paying $30,000 for one season to play at the highest level, which is offered in your general vicinity. This price does not include any travel fees, which consist of housing fees, airfare, food, gas, and anything else that has to be taken into consideration when at a tournament or competition. When playing at a high level like this, you need training and camps to keep increasing your skill levels and your exposure. People who play at a very high level like this don’t usually plan to just stop there. They often want to continue to work and get exposure so they can play at the next level in the sport they love.
These prices are just to play at the highest level. Even at mid-tier, you are still paying around $10,000 annually, not including the travel fees or anything else. In this case, these prices generally exceed families’ budgets and result in them having to take out loans just to see their athletes happy.
