Rising costs for registration, equipment, uniforms and travel are forcing many parents to delay or skip enrolling their children in youth sports.

A national survey by Accredited Debt Relief of more than 2,000 parents found that 44% had previously delayed or completely skipped sports enrolment because of costs. An additional 43% said they worry they may be forced to make the same decision this school year.

The youth sports industry is valued at $40 billion, according to the Aspen Institute. A 2025 study by the institute's Project Play reported that the average U.S. sports family spent $1,016 on their child's primary sport in 2024, representing a 46% increase since 2019.

Jon Solomon, research director of the Aspen Institute Sports and Society Program, said youth sports are becoming highly commercialised, with travel costs being one of the biggest drivers of price increases. He noted that adult focus on winning and chasing college scholarships is driving up costs and putting pressure on children to specialise.

Rising equipment prices

Retail data from Circana shows junior team sports equipment sales reached $1.6 billion in the U.S. for the 12 months ending in July. While unit sales declined by 3%, total sales grew by 3% because average selling prices rose by 7% during that period.

Bobbi Rebell, a certified financial planner and chief financial education adviser at Accredited Debt Relief, said some parents make a financial calculation that the sacrifice of sports costs will be offset by future college scholarships, though she noted scholarships may not cover all college expenses or the historical costs of sports involvement.

"A lot of people are really at the breaking point when it comes to youth sports, and the stakes have gotten higher and higher," said Bobbi Rebell.