Youth travel sports have gained popularity as a way for children to advance their athletic skills, boost chances for scholarships, increase confidence and emotional development, and build strong friendships. The amateur and youth sports industry has grown substantially over the past decade, with over $9 billion spent on youth and amateur sport-specific venues since 2017. Between 2005 and 2022, the multi-billion-dollar travel sport tourism industry grew by 5.6 percent annually. Local economies also benefit from youth sports tourism, generating revenue and supporting jobs when participants and their families stay at hotels, eat at restaurants, and shop at local establishments during tournaments. A recent economic impact analysis evaluating the effects of sports tourism found that in 2021, $39.7 billion in direct spending led to a total economic impact of $91.8 billion, supporting 635,000 jobs and generating $12.9 billion in tax revenue for local economies.
As the popularity of youth travel sports has risen, so has scrutiny of the practice. Many participants (or their families) lament the considerable time commitments and substantial expenses required. One former participant described a typical week consisting of long practices three-to-five nights per week and a two- or three-day-tournament on most weekends. With the time commitment required, it’s becoming more common for children to specialize in one sport, which carries an increased risk of burnout and injuries for youth compared to multisport participation.
The financial expenses of youth travel sports
The financial expenses of youth travel sports can also leave parents wide-eyed. The annual cost of a spot on a travel team varies by sport, with an average low of $281 for rugby to a high of $3,159 for volleyball. Across the top 15 youth travel sports, the average fee to join a team was $1,663—a figure that does not include additional costs such as travel, equipment, clothing and uniforms. According to one source, parents of athletes on private travel teams can expect to pay up to $10,000 per year for their child to participate.
The high costs associated with travel teams can lead to barriers for some socioeconomic groups, with children from low-income households found to be three-times less likely to participate in travel sports than those from high-income households. According to Project Play of the Aspen Institute, households earning more than $150k spent an average of $2,068 annually on youth sports, compared to households earning $50k-$149k (average of $940) and those earning under $50k (average of $523). In their latest 2022 survey, Project Play also found that White and Hispanic or Latino parents spent roughly twice the amount on individual lessons and registration fees compared to Black parents. With a higher price tag for travel sports compared to school or local recreation leagues, affordability issues are exacerbated for lower-income parents seeking athletic opportunities for their children.
In a recent article on the future of the industry, the authors noted that many travel sport event organizers and destination hosts are expanding experiences, amenities, and diversity of sports to attract more youth sport tourism. Whether the youth sports tourism industry continues to grow and provide benefits to both athletes and hosting communities, or whether the costs will be too high, remains to be seen. Ultimately, the future of the industry may depend on families’ ability to effectively balance the benefits of youth travel sports against their physical and financial demands.
