When it comes to the cost of club soccer there are some things you need to know besides the coaching fees. Parents need to consider the extra cost of uniforms, league and tournament fees, escrow and travel. Depending on which age, team, leagues, the total cost of club soccer is $2,000 – $15,000 per year.
Some leagues have each team bring $80+ cash to each match… This all adds up. To most peoples surprise, the coaches don’t even get 1/3 of the total cost. It’s probably the biggest percent, but with everything added up, coaching fees are less than you think.
Coaching fees
Costs [per player] for the coaching fees run from $1,000 per year up to $4,000+ depending on the club. Plus coaches expenses.
There are smaller clubs that are more independent that charge about $1,500.
The purpose for the small clubs is for the parents not to pay that extra cost that comes with the large brands. The added expenses for larger clubs go to the office members. In addition, brand strength can simply charge more.
Example: I live in the Dallas area and a few years ago went to watch the Dallas Cup [One of the largest tournaments in the world]… There was a U17 club called ‘Spiders’ from this area and I had never heard of them. The Spiders had a bunch of good players who had grown up playing for big clubs, but got together to form their own club.
Uniform expense
$600 every two years – per player
Although, there are some teams or players that change clubs 2 times in 1 year.
This season I heard of several larger clubs whose coaches either moved their teams to other clubs or they got fired. Therefore, the kids who moved clubs had to buy new uniforms. What happens to those kids who next season change teams again? Well, they’ll be buying new uniforms:)
League fees
$2,000 per team, per league… Many teams play 2 leagues per season.
The price can be higher… The older you get the more the leagues charge.
Oftentimes you’re only looking at playing 7-9 games per spring or fall season. 16 games per year. That’s not many games. SO most teams in North Texas play in 2 separate leagues.
Some leagues have each team pay $85 ref fee cash, per game. This is additional monies. On the contrary, tournaments usually have ref fees covered once you pay the total tourney fee.
Cost of club soccer tournaments
Younger ages tourneys are $750 per team. It seems that the average for say U13 is between $700-$900.
Older ages [teens] showcases are $1500 on average.
Some club teams include 2 tournaments per year. Then for additional tourneys, each parent pay extra for… Usually you’re looking at $50 per family.
Some clubs play 2-3 tournaments per 12 months, while others play up to 8-10 tourney’s.
Hotel cost
One tournament is an average of a 2 night stay…
$150 – $200 per night x 2 nights = $300 – $400 per tournament – each family.
Depending on the team you play and age, some travel out of town 5+ times. There are usually 3 showcases alone.
Younger teams [age 8-12] don’t travel as much as the older kids [13-18].
Travel – flights and vehicle expense
It all depends on how much a team travels…
Some U-11 teams travel out of state 3 times…
Example: A U-11 team traveled to San Diego, Washington DC and Seattle all in a 12 month period… These locations require a flight:)
Then, other teams depending on the league [ECNL, GA, MLS academy] travel 20 times per year. Many of these are 4-5 hour car rides to play teams in their region.
You know how much gas is or how much flight costs are. Although, it can depend on the season and how far out you book.
Those who have airline miles benefit, so think about how you can rack those up!
The cost of club soccer is expensive
Some people don’t mind it, while others do…
Regardless of how much money you make, there are people who make a great living, but don’t want to spend 10K per year on sports… And I don’t blame them:)
Don’t think you have to play in the “best” league or do all this traveling… Sure, it is good exposure, but there are many players who end up at the same colleges without all this.
If money is a concern, just try to prepare for your child to be technically equipped by their junior year. That’s when you might need to spend some extra cash on club soccer, ID camps and showcases.
At the younger ages of 8-14 I wouldn’t worry about all the levels/leagues… Instead, kids need to grow and be put in the right environment for THEM… Some kids peak at age 10, while others don’t until 16.
Training at home is so helpful!!
Kicking the ball against a wall or rebounder is key because you improve passing, shooting and first touch – on the ground, bouncing and out of the air.
Practice improving your dribbling skills…
Keep working on my ball control courses because it will soak into your muscle memory. You won’t regret it!
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