Why Game On?

Why Game On Matters

Youth sports have long been celebrated as one of the best ways for children to develop confidence, teamwork, resilience, and physical health — but over the past few decades, participation has become harder for many families to access. Once rooted in community fields and neighborhood leagues, today’s youth sports landscape has shifted toward expensive travel teams, specialized training, and “pay-to-play” models that disproportionately benefit wealthier families while leaving many children behind.

Participation Gaps Linked to Income

Although more than half of U.S. children still participate in organized sports, participation is far from equal. In 2022 about 26.8 million kids played sports, while 23 million did not — with cost and access among the leading barriers keeping kids out of the game. (USAFacts)
Children living in poverty play sports at significantly lower rates than their peers. For example, participation among youth living below the federal poverty level was about 33.3%, compared to 41.3% for families just above that threshold. (USAFacts)
Federal data also shows stark income disparities: youth from households earning at least 400 % of the poverty level are more than twice as likely to play sports as those from the lowest-income households. (Congress.gov)

Rising Costs Have Made Playing Sports Expensive

The financial barriers to play are growing rapidly. A 2025 national survey found that the average U.S. family spent over $1,000 annually on one child’s primary sport, a 46 % increase since 2019 — far outpacing inflation and family budgets. (Project Play)
Other sources show that travel teams, club fees, equipment, and private coaching can push costs into the thousands of dollars per child per year, and for some families the price is prohibitive. (Gitnux)
This “pay-to-play” model often forces families to choose between basic needs and sports participation, with nearly 20 % of parents reporting they have had to cut their child’s participation due to cost. (The Washington Post)

Unequal Access Affects More Than Just Play

Lack of access to affordable, welcoming sports opportunities contributes to broader health and social inequities. Children from lower-income families face more barriers — from lack of safe play spaces and equipment to transportation challenges and limited community programs — and are less likely to stay engaged in physical activity over time. (Health.gov)

Participation gaps are also tied to education and opportunity: youth from households where parents have higher education levels are much more likely to play sports than those where parents have lower levels of schooling. (Congress.gov)

Why It Matters

When youth are priced out of sports or pushed out by high costs and competitive pressures, we all lose:

• Fewer children benefit from physical activity, teamwork, and social connectedness

• Community cohesion weakens when neighborhoods lack shared sports spaces

• Children from underserved backgrounds miss chances to grow confident and healthy

At Game On, we believe every child should have the chance to play — not just the ones whose families can afford elite training or travel teams. That’s why we’re focused on making sports affordable, accessible, and welcoming for all kids, especially those in communities where barriers prevent them from getting in the game.

📌 Sources & Further Reading

• Nearly 1 in 3 children from low-income households participate in sports vs much higher rates among higher-income peers. (USAFacts)

• Average youth sports spending has surged 46 % in recent years, making participation costlier than ever. (Project Play)

• Rising costs and access barriers continue to widen the gap in youth sports opportunities nationwide. (Gitnux)

Game On's approach is to help kids by supporting the ones who make youth sports possible: volunteer coaches.