Johann Hunt
Raising a young athlete can be as exhilarating as it is expensive. Some sports, with specialized equipment, elite coaching, and travel demands, can significantly strain a family’s finances. Here’s an in-depth look at 15 kids’ sports that require a serious financial commitment and what makes them so costly.
Equestrian
Equestrian sports like horseback riding, dressage, and show jumping require purchasing or leasing a horse, ranging from a few thousand to over a hundred thousand dollars. The expenditure doesn’t stop there—stabling fees, feed, veterinary care, tack, riding attire, and competition entry fees all add up. Many young equestrians also need regular lessons and training sessions.
Estimated Annual Cost: $2,500 to $100,000+
Ice Hockey
It is one of the most gear-intensive sports. Essential equipment includes skates, sticks, helmets, pads, and uniforms, all of which need frequent replacement as children grow. Ice time for practices and games, specialized coaching, and extensive travel for tournaments further inflate the costs.
Estimated Annual Cost: $2,700 to $17,000+
Skiing/Snowboarding
For this sport, one must buy high-quality gear, such as skis, snowboards, boots, and outerwear. Additional costs include lift tickets, season passes, heading to ski resorts, and professional coaching. The price can skyrocket if the child competes at an elite level, necessitating going to various mountainous regions.
Estimated Annual Cost: $1,200 to $5,000+
Tennis
Tennis features high-quality racquets that need frequent restringing and replacement as kids grow and improve. Then there’s the attire—tennis whites and performance gear—keeping players cool on the court. But the real amount racks up with private lessons from top-notch coaches, court time at premium facilities, and entry fees for a seemingly endless circuit of tournaments.
Estimated Annual Cost: $600 to $10,000
Gymnastics
The path to becoming the next Simone Biles or Nastia Liukin starts with leotards, grips, and mats. But the real investment comes with hours spent in the gym, where elite training is essential to master those intricate routines. Gym fees, choreography costs, and the price of custom competition leotards quickly add up. Going to regional, national, and even international meets and entry fees and accommodations make gymnastics a high-flying expense.
Estimated Annual Cost: $1,200 – 8,000+
Golf
This game demands a serious financial outlay, starting with custom-fitted clubs that require updating as kids grow and improve. Add in bags, balls, shoes, and attire that adhere to club dress codes, and the costs pile up. Private lessons from PGA-certified coaches are essential for mastering the swing, while memberships to exclusive golf clubs provide access to top-notch facilities and practice ranges.
Estimated Annual Cost: $800 to $6,000+
Competitive Cheerleading
It involves money for uniforms, which are mostly custom-made and elaborately designed, costing hundreds of dollars each. Add expenses for cheer shoes, bows, makeup, and accessories. Regular tumbling and stunting classes, gym fees, choreography, and music editing for routines also contribute to the overall cost. Traveling to regional, national, and sometimes even international competitions can significantly increase the financial burden, as well as entry fees and accommodations.
Estimated Annual Cost: $2,000 – $10,000
Lacrosse
Equipment needed for this sport includes sticks, helmets, gloves, pads, and uniforms. High-quality gear needs frequent replacement as young players grow and improve their skills. Club fees, private coaching, and tournament travel add up quickly, especially for elite players who participate in national competitions. The sport’s growing popularity means elite players often have trips for high-level competition.
Estimated Annual Cost: $1,510 – $17,500
Fencing
En garde! Welcome to the world of fencing, where kids transform into modern-day swashbucklers. But the fun starts to go down the drain when the expenses start to pile up. Fencing requires investment in swords (foils, epees, sabers), protective gear, and uniforms. Fees for club memberships, training, and competition trips add to the expenses. Elite fencers mostly train with renowned coaches, adding to the cost.
Estimated Annual Cost: $5,000 – $45,000
Competitive Dance
Competitive dance requires investment in various elaborate and expensive costumes, often costing hundreds of dollars each. Dancers also require specialized shoes for different styles (ballet, tap, jazz, etc.) and accessories like tights and leotards. Tuition for dance, private, and master classes can add up quickly. Choreography fees for custom routines and music editing are additional expenses. Traveling to regional, national, and sometimes international competitions and competition entry fees also contribute to the high expenditure.
Estimated Annual Cost: $1,000 to $5,000+
Figure Skating
First, you’ll need to invest in custom-fitted skates, which are essential for precision and comfort but demand frequent upgrading as children grow. Add to this the dazzling costumes, often hand-sewn with intricate details and costing hundreds of dollars each. Professional mentoring is essential for mastering those breathtaking spins, jumps, and choreography, and it comes at a premium. Ice time for practice is another significant expense, as rink fees add up quickly.
Estimated Annual Cost: $800 to $10,000+
Martial Arts
Enter the martial arts world, where it all begins with the traditional uniform, evolving alongside the child’s progress through different belt levels. Protection is paramount, with high-quality gear essential for safe sparring sessions. The costs multiply with class fees and private lessons, but the real kicker? Tournament expenses and specialized training camps, particularly for those aiming for national or international recognition.
Estimated Annual Cost: $600 – $5,000
Soccer
Young players are often decked out in expensive gear such as boots and team kits. In addition, a never-ending stream of expenses—for league fees, coaching clinics, and weekend tournaments—seems to stretch from here to the World Cup. And when your kid’s team makes it to the championship, get ready to break out the checkbook for trips and accommodations.
Estimated Annual Cost: $600 – $5,500
Swimming
Swimmers require top-of-the-line swimsuits engineered for speed, goggles that won’t leak, and caps that keep their hair streamlined. Add in the cost of pool memberships, private training sessions, and entry fees for meets, and you’ve got a financial freestyle.
Estimated Annual Cost: $800 to $1,000+
Basketball
What seems to only need a ball and a hoop has much more to it when played at a competitive level. Competitive basketball requires high-quality shoes, uniforms, and training equipment. Club fees, coaching, and tournament trips can significantly increase the expenditure.
Estimated Annual Cost: $500 – $5,000