The buzz of a new school year mixes with the sound of skates hitting the ice and dance shoes tapping across studio floors. For parents whose children are eyeing competitive extracirricular activities, this season often comes with more than just excitement. It brings a financial reckoning many don’t anticipate until the first invoice lands.
Whether your child is well into their competitive era or just wanting to stay active and socially engaged, the cost associated with keeping them on the team can often be prohibitive. Or, at least it may seem that way.
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Hockey: Canada’s game, at a cost
Hockey may be celebrated as an essential part of our nation’s cultural tapestry, but that pride, however, comes with a steep price.
According to a Royal Bank of Canada analysis, families spend an average of $4,478 a year to keep a child in hockey, with costs climbing past $7,000 for teenagers between the ages of 13 and 16. The report, titled The Financial Reality of Raising a Hockey Player in Canada, breaks down expenses including registration fees, equipment, tournament travel and skill development programs (1). Every pair of skates, every stick, every team registration is part of a financial balancing act that many parents navigate with care.
In Lethbridge, Alta., those costs are front and centre. Suketu Shah, whose child plays hockey, told Global News (2), “Every penny matters right now as well, especially in this economy … (My partner and I) are both working, still (the prices) make it hard. I can understand for people who are only single parents… if you want to put your kids (in hockey).”
Keith Hitchcock, general manager of Lethbridge Minor Hockey, told Global the pressure has even led to teams disbanding when families couldn’t cover fees.
For many Canadians, hockey may be worth every sacrifice — the pre-dawn coffee runs, the frozen car rides, the long weekends and the hefty price tag — because it’s not just a game. It’s a tradition, a rite of passage and a source of pride that runs deep in the veins of the nation.
Read more: Here are 5 expenses that Canadians (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you?
Dance: early mornings, late evenings, long drives, big dreams
For many Canadian families, dance is more than twirls and leaps — it’s a disciplined pursuit of artistry and competition. Across the country, parents help their children into leotards, pack snack bags and water bottles, and drive across town for early morning or all evening-long classes.
The financial demands are steep once dancers enter competitive streams, however. In Ontario, studios charge between $240 and $435 per month for training. Costumes start at $175, and competition entry fees can run $40 to $55 per routine. Keep in mind that competitive dancers, even in part-time programs, are in multiple dances at each competition.
So think, the total cost for each costume, each routine, and times that sum by three to five or even more. Factor in hotel stays, meals on the road and travel for weekend competitions, and a season of dance can rival the costs of hockey.
Despite the long days of training and commute times, parents often describe a sense of pride watching their children perform, knowing each rehearsal and competition is shaping resilience, confidence and teamwork.
Beyond hockey and dance: what youth sports really cost
Beyond hockey and dance, many Canadian children participate in a variety of sports that require time, dedication and financial investment. While this is not an exhaustive list, here are some of the most popular options and what families can expect to spend.
Gymnastics: discipline, dedication and dollars
Gymnastics may not carry the national spotlight of hockey, but it demands commitment from children and families alike.
Competitive gymnastics can cost between $2,000 and $4,000 a year, which includes lessons, club fees, uniforms and travel to competitions. For families in smaller communities, reaching larger meets can involve hours of driving. Even without the media attention of other sports, gymnastics builds discipline, perseverance, and pride — qualities that extend beyond the gym.
Cheerleading: flips, stunts and early mornings
Cheerleading has evolved from a sideline activity at school sports games into a full-fledged competitive sport that demands athleticism, precision, teamwork and year-round dedication. Over the past two decades, simple chants and crowd-leading routines have been replaced by complex stunts, tumbling passes and choreographed performances judged at regional, national and international competitions. Specialized training programs and leagues mean children often practice multiple times a week, with competitions requiring travel across towns or provinces.
For families, the financial commitment reflects this evolution. Competitive cheerleading typically costs $3,000 to $5,000 per year, covering training, uniforms, choreography and competition fees. Travel expenses can quickly increase, especially for regional or national-level competitions.
Despite the costs and time commitment, parents say cheerleading teaches discipline, teamwork, confidence and resilience. For many families, it’s a labour of love — early mornings, long drives and weekends spent at gyms become part of the routine, with the reward being children mastering challenging routines and gaining valuable life skills.
Lacrosse: Canada’s summer game
Lacrosse is Canada’s official summer sport and carries local pride and tradition. Children participate in practices during spring and summer, often balancing school schedules and other activities.
Competitive lacrosse can cost $1,500 to $3,500 annually, covering equipment, league fees and tournament travel. In smaller communities, travel to larger centres is common, adding to the financial and time commitments. Regardless, lacrosse encourages teamwork, discipline and social connection.
Snapshot: what parents can expect to spend
Average annual costs for Canadian families in competitive sports (estimates from national surveys and provincial program data):
- Hockey: $4,500–$7,000+
- Dance: $3,000–$6,000
- Gymnastics: $2,000–$4,000
- Basketball: $1,000–$3,000
- Lacrosse: $1,500–$3,500
- Soccer (club level): $1,000–$2,500
- Cheerleading: $3,000–$5,000
Costs vary widely depending on province, level of competition, equipment needs (just ask the parents of hockey goalies!) and travel.
More kids, more costs
A 2022 survey by the Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute (3) found 68% of children and youth between five and 17 took part in a sport that year — a recovery from the pandemic low of 44%. Roughly one-third were in competitive programs. Soccer tops participation at 28%, followed by basketball at 17,% hockey and ringette at 16% and aquatic sports at 16%. Dance and gymnastics trail at 6% and 5%, but still represent major commitments for families.
Participation also differs across the country. Quebec reported a higher rate than the national average at 79%, and children there were more likely to play sports year-round. Household income plays a big role too. Children from higher-income families are more likely to take part in competitive programs, where costs run significantly higher than recreational ones.
Making it work
Back in Regina, single-income parent Melissa Grover said she’s had to cut back on her kids’ wishlist of exta curricular sports.
“They are both really active and they both really want to be in everything … We have had to set one sport a season because prices have gone up too much and it’s too much to manage two kids in activities,” she told Global News (5).
Like many, she relies on second-hand gear and hand-me-downs. Families also carpool, share hotel rooms and look for subsidies or grants through programs such as KidSport and Jumpstart.
Valerie Gosselin, executive director of Athletics for Kids, says affordability remains a defining issue. “It’s no surprise when a parent has to choose between food and rent, sports are the first thing to go,” she told Global.
Saving on sports
While competitive sports are costly, families have found creative ways to make participation possible:
- Gear swaps and second-hand shops: Many communities host swap days or rely on Facebook groups where families exchange skates, sticks or leotards
- Provincial grants and tax credits: Programs like KidSport, Jumpstart and provincial recreation subsidies can offset registration fees
- Travel pooling: Sharing rides and hotel rooms with other families cuts down on tournament costs
- Budgeting early: Setting aside a small monthly amount in a dedicated “sports fund” can soften the blow when registration opens
- Choosing carefully: Limiting each child to one competitive sport per season helps control both costs and scheduling stress
Priceless benefits, real costs
Competitive sport can bring enormous benefits for kids — from discipline and teamwork to physical and mental health — but it requires clear eyes about the financial commitment. Parents weighing the decision this fall may want to sit down with their children and talk about goals, priorities and what the family can realistically afford.
Because when the whistle blows, the curtain rises or the first note of music plays, the joy of sport is priceless. But the bill that comes with it most definitely isn’t.
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Article sources
We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.
RBC: Where did My Money Go: The Financial Reality of Raising a Hockey Player in Canada (1); Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute (2); Global News: Lethbridge businesses, families rally to support parents dealing with high sports costs (3); Global News: Regina parent shares concerns over increasing cost of youth sports (4)
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.