Registration fees. Travel tournaments. Equipment. Lessons. The cost of youth sports is staggering, and it's not slowing down anytime soon. Yet parents keep their kids in the game anyway, even when their wallet stings.
That commitment doesn't make the cost conversation any easier, though. As uncomfortable as it is, every youth sports leader needs to bring it up each season. So how can you talk to parents about costs in a way that builds trust instead of anxiety?
Before we get there, it's worth seeing how deep these costs cut into everyday life, and why that calls for a thoughtful, considerate approach.
The ripple effect of youth sports costs
In a RaiseRight-commissioned survey of 500 parents across California and Illinois, over 50% of parents in both states said the cost of youth sports today isn't reasonable for most families. And over 40% in both states agree that the cost of their child's sports has forced them to cut back on household expenses (like groceries) just to afford the activities.
This tracks with what's happening nationally, too. The Aspen Institute's Project Play found the average U.S. sports family spent just over $1,000 on their child's primary sport in 2024—and that's just on participation alone, mainly at a school level. For kids on travel teams, that number is much higher.
Within RaiseRight, an informal survey of employees with kids in sports (primarily travel teams) found two-thirds spending at least $4,000 per year. Their average stress rating around those costs was 3.5 out of 5 (and this is coming from parents who work directly in sports fundraising).
How to separate panic from peace of mind
So what does a good cost conversation look like? We recently sat in on an informational session for Rush Soccer (a global organization with 60,000+ players and 2,000+ coaches across 40+ countries) where president Josh Tyler discussed next year's Rush Fest event.
Registration runs $1,600 per team and $150 per player, and that's before travel, lodging, and food. To navigate this, Josh takes a deliberate approach with families.
Here are five tips youth sports leaders can adopt from what Rush Soccer does well.
1. Put costs in writing
A verbal mention at one preseason meeting is easy for a busy parent to forget six months later. A printed sheet (or even an email) that parents can refer back to is more likely to stick and avoids mid-season surprises.
Ahead of Rush Fest, families aren't just told about the cost passively—they're given something in writing they can hold onto.
2. Show the full picture, not just the total
Presenting a singular grand total, such as $1,200 for the trip, leaves a family to either absorb it or worry about it alone. Instead, break down the full cost, along with options for lowering that number.
At the Rush Soccer informational, families are given fundraising and payment plan options to offset the cost, along with reassurance that they don't have to figure it out alone.
3. Introduce fundraising as a team initiative
At Rush Soccer, Josh positions fundraising as a way to bring costs down for everyone. It's not an individual scramble; it's a team effort.
"I frame fundraising around a clear, exciting goal, like traveling to Rush Fest. I turn it into an experience that builds their team culture and makes it a collective mission," Josh states.
In our RaiseRight-commissioned survey, we found that roughly 30% believe there are better ways to fundraise, but don't know where to start. And in our employee survey, over 80% said more fundraising options would give them the most peace of mind about costs.
The message is clear: when leadership introduces (and encourages) fundraising early, parents will feel more comfortable letting their child participate. "Fundraising should be a seamless part of team setup, not an afterthought when the bills are due," Josh notes.
4. Tailor your message for first-timers vs. veterans
Families who've been in a sport for 4+ years already know what's coming. They've built the cost into their expectations, sometimes years in advance. But first-time families are the ones who are most caught off guard.
Approach your conversation with newcomers differently. Walk them through the full season, and bring up unexpected costs they might not be aware of. Discuss fundraising and payment plans right away, and give them a resource to go to with any questions.
For veteran families, lead with due dates, amounts, and changes from last season. Provide quick, clear updates, with regular reminders.
5. Lead with the benefits
Despite the financial pressure, most families won't quit. In California, 54% of parents said they wouldn't drop a child from a team due to expense. In Illinois, 74% said they've never told their child no to a sport because of cost.
Parents will do what it takes to keep their kids playing, so how you approach the cost conversation matters just as much. When Josh talks about Rush Fest, his biggest emphasis isn't the price—it's the experience.
"Kids get to meet their international soccer family, trade pins, and attend the opening ceremony. They feel a sense of pride and belonging that's hard to find anywhere else. It does more for team chemistry in one week than months of practices," says Josh.
Anchor the conversation to why it's worth it, and it'll make the costs easier for parents to digest.
The bottom line
The high cost of youth sports isn't going away, but neither is the commitment parents bring to it. That's why an honest conversation about cost isn't just practical, it's compassionate.
That's exactly what RaiseRight exists to support. We help sports groups fundraise and offset expenses through everyday purchases from popular brands, so parents can afford the next season, tournament, or trip without stress.
Josh is an avid RaiseRight user himself. "RaiseRight has allowed our families to passively chip away at dues, event fees, and travel expenses without having to dip into their budget or pay out of pocket. RaiseRight gives every player the opportunity to travel to events like Rush Fest, regardless of their family's finances."
We couldn't agree more: cost should never be the reason a kid has to sit out.
Methodology note: California and Illinois statistics are from a RaiseRight-commissioned survey of 500 parents conducted via Pollfish by SHIFT Communications, October 27–November 3, 2025. At the time, all respondents have children under 18 currently participating in youth sports. National statistics are drawn from the Aspen Institute's Project Play. Internal statistics reflect an informal survey of 6 RaiseRight employees with children in youth sports.
