COLUMBUS, Ohio – A comprehensive study has revealed a significant surge in the participation of private club and travel teams in youth sports over the past six decades. The research highlights that children born in the 1990s are almost three times more likely to engage in these activities compared to those born in the 1950s. This data is derived from adults’ retrospective accounts of their childhood experiences.
Approximately 4% of surveyed adults born in the 1950s reported participating in club or travel teams, in stark contrast to 13% of those born in the 1990s. The study also underscores that children from highly educated or affluent families are more inclined to participate in such sports today than in previous generations.
Changing Dynamics in Youth Sports
“The experience of playing sports is vastly different for today’s youth compared to previous generations,” said Chris Knoester, lead author and sociology professor at The Ohio State University. “The shift from school-based and community-based sports to private club sports has made youth sports significantly more expensive and demanding for both children and their parents.”
Knoester, alongside Chris Bjork, a professor of education at Vassar College, conducted the study, which was published in the Journal of Sport and Social Issues. The research suggests a transformation in how parents perceive the purpose of youth sports.
“For many parents, sports have transitioned from being a source of fun and exercise to a strategic tool for securing future success in college and beyond,” Bjork explained.
Survey Insights and Socioeconomic Factors
The study utilized data from the National Sports and Society Survey (NSASS), involving 3,938 adults. Participants, hailing from all 50 states, completed the survey online between 2018 and 2019. They answered questions regarding their sports participation between ages 6 and 18, including involvement in private club or travel teams and elite teen athlete leagues.
“On average, 11% of adults reported having played on private club or travel teams, with 8% participating in elite leagues. The trend shows a general increase over the decades.”
Family and community sports cultures significantly influenced participation rates. Adults whose parents were avid sports fans or athletes themselves were more likely to engage in club and travel sports. However, the study found that socioeconomic status has become increasingly pivotal in determining participation.
“Children with a college-educated parent had a 16% probability of participating in club or travel teams, compared to just 6% for those without college-educated parents,” the researchers noted.
Economic Implications and Future Trends
Bjork, co-author of More Than Just a Game: How the Youth Sports Industry Is Changing the Way We Parent and What to Do About It, highlighted the economic barriers facing less educated families. “Opportunities are dwindling for families lacking the knowledge or financial means to invest in their children’s sports careers,” he said.
Recent statistics corroborate these findings. Knoester pointed out that Project Play reported a nearly 50% increase in the average cost for a child to play their primary sport from 2019 to 2024. Parents now spend over $40 billion annually on youth sports.
“Our results reflect the growing youth sports industry, continually offering more services to parents,” Knoester stated.
The implications are clear: success in sports today often requires more than just talent. “It’s a complex picture where family income, education, and community culture all influence the opportunities available to young athletes,” Bjork observed.
The current landscape poses challenges for many families striving to support their children’s sports aspirations. “Embracing private club and travel sports often entails overwhelming costs and stress related to travel and organizational commitments,” Knoester concluded, noting that there is no sign of this trend abating.
