There's no doubt about it: Youth sports can be expensive, and they're becoming more expensive every year.
According to the latest reports, families now spend an average of $1,016 per year on each child's primary sport. For kids who play several sports—or families with multiple kids—those expenses can quickly add up.
Our recent 2025 survey of sports parents in California and Illinois confirmed this: 57% of parents feel that youth sports costs are unreasonable.
Even so, many families are willing to cut back in other areas because they recognize the value of organized sports.
Are these parents right? Is the high cost of youth sports worth paying? Or should you find alternative ways to keep the kids active? We're exploring these questions here, along with ideas to make youth sports more affordable.
The benefits of youth sports
If you played sports as a child, you probably remember the fun and excitement. Maybe you have fond memories of early morning practices, out-of-town games, and the friendships you made along the way.
Even then, you likely understood the advantages of playing sports. And the research backs you up. Experts say that youth sports offer countless benefits, including:
- Exercise – Not only does regular physical activity promote healthy bone and muscle growth, but it can also improve memory, mood, and attention, according to experts.
- Socialization – Any workout can contribute to well-being. But exercising in a group? That leads to shared joy and connections that can develop into lasting friendships.
- Life skills – According to researchers at the University of San Diego, Team sports encourage collaboration and communication, while individual activities teach perseverance and self-confidence. These skills serve children on and off the field.
Whether it's baseball, hockey, swimming, or dance, sports can help keep kids healthy, happy, and entertained.
The financial strain of youth sports
Unfortunately, all these benefits come at a price. And when kids join high-level programs or choose expensive activities (such as skiing or horse riding), you could end up paying over $10,000 each year!
While exact costs depend on your location, the activity, your kid's age, and more, sports are rarely cheap. The expenses can quickly add up when you're paying for:
- Sports gear and clothes
- Administrative fees
- Travel expenses
- Private coaching and training
There's also the potential loss of income associated with sports: Parents often take time off work to drive kids to and from activities (and attend them).
Hard decisions: The impact of higher costs
Today's families are increasingly choosing between sports and other expenses. Our research revealed that in California, 46.6% of parents are reducing their daily household expenditures to cover the cost of youth sports.
Similarly, 43% of parents in Illinois are spending less on other things—including vacations and dining out—to keep sports in the budget.
Families feel the pressure of sports spending even more during the holidays. We learned that nearly half (47.8%) of California parents cut down on gifts and decorations; in Illinois, 45.4% feel the same way.
Still, most parents believe in the value of youth sports. Despite the rising costs, 54% of California parents and 45% of Illinois parents aren't planning to cut sports from their kids' lives.
Should you keep spending money on youth sports?
We agree with these parents: Youth sports may be expensive, but if your child loves what they do, the benefits can be well worth the cost.
That said, youth sports expenses shouldn't replace necessities like food and shelter. You should only invest in youth sports if it's truly financially manageable. No family should feel stretched beyond what they can reasonably afford.
Thankfully, there are various ways to keep kids' sports from draining your budget.
Solutions that keep youth sports accessible
Since youth sports costs aren't going down anytime soon, your best bet is to save money through other strategies. Surprisingly, about 66% of the parents we surveyed aren't fundraising to offset costs for their kids in youth sports. That means there's a real opportunity to help more families save money so that they can keep their kids in the game.
Here's how to afford youth sports without emptying your wallet.
Fundraise throughout the year
Whenever a new sports season starts, many families try to raise money through raffles or games like Super Bowl Squares. These tactics can bring in extra cash, but they're short-lived.
Year-round options, such as shopping-based fundraisers like RaiseRight, are much more lucrative.
This fundraising program allows you and your network to spend as you normally would at your favorite retailers and restaurants, then receive money back in return (typically 6%, but sometimes up to 20% or more).
Thousands of parents in sports programs across North America, including Virginia-based 540 Volleyball and Ohio-based Dance Etc., have successfully used RaiseRight to earn thousands of dollars towards their kids' expenses.
Opt for low-cost sports and activities
One of the biggest expenses in sports is the cost of gear and equipment. You can save big by enrolling your child in sports with minimal gear requirements, such as:
- Track and field
- Soccer
- Basketball
- Disc golf
- Swimming
If these organized activities are out of reach, consider turning to "unofficial" sports. Playing catch at the park regularly or organizing neighborhood street hockey games can offer all the benefits of youth sports, without the registration fees.
Shop strategically for equipment
When gear is essential, consider purchasing lightly used items. You can often find quality equipment at thrift stores, garage sales, or digital platforms like Facebook Marketplace or OfferUp for significantly less.
If you prefer new equipment, look for other ways to save. For example, you can purchase gift cards and/or shop online through your team's RaiseRight program to earn a percentage back toward sports fees.
RaiseRight partners with popular stores and brands like DICK'S Sporting Goods, Champs Sports, Big 5 Sporting Goods, SCHEELS, Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, and more, so you can earn money back every time you shop for your young athlete.
Earn and save when you travel
Between out-of-town games and international tournaments, sports-related travel can add up fast. To offset costs, you can also book travel through RaiseRight.
Whether you're reserving hotels, rental cars, or tickets for day-off attractions, RaiseRight offers competitive prices and gives you money back with each purchase.
You can also combine these savings with RaiseRight's local dining program, which offers 5% back with a linked credit or debit card, so you can fundraise throughout your entire trip.
Keep kids playing without the extra burden
Youth sports promise a range of benefits for kids. After all, having fun and making core memories with friends is one of the best parts of childhood.
So, don't let the high costs of youth sports stop your kids from their favorite activities. Instead, find ways to spend less and earn more.
At RaiseRight, we're committed to making youth sports more accessible. We help families reduce costs so kids can keep doing what they love—without stretching the family budget. Our fundraising platform is a perfect fit for youth sports families, letting you raise money without changing your shopping habits or everyday routines.
Because, for most families, the high cost of youth sports is worth the financial sacrifice.
Start a free RaiseRight program today, or explore how much your family could earn and save each year:
Disclaimer: RaiseRight commissioned SHIFT Communications to survey 500 consumers 18+ in California and Illinois via Pollfish. The survey ran from 10/27/2025 to 11/3/2025. Respondents were required to have children under the age of 18 living in their household and currently participating in youth sports.
