The financial pressure facing American families is no longer ending at the checkout line during back-to-school shopping—it is increasingly keeping children off the playing field.
New findings from Accredited Debt Relief’s national survey of 2,000 U.S. parents reveal that 44% have already delayed or completely skipped enrolling one of their children in sports because they simply couldn’t afford the registration fees, equipment, uniforms or travel costs.
An additional 43% worry they may be forced to make that same decision this school year, leaving just half of parents saying they don’t expect sports participation to become a financial sacrifice.
The findings paint a picture of how rising household costs are affecting children’s daily lives—not only in the classroom but also in extracurricular activities that support physical health, emotional well-being and social development.
Youth sports have become one of the fastest-growing household expenses, often requiring hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars for registration fees, uniforms, equipment, tournaments and travel.
“For many children, sports are where they build confidence, friendships, discipline and resilience,” said Bobbi Rebell, CFP®, CFT™, chief financial education advisor at Accredited Debt Relief, one of the country’s leading debt consolidation and financial wellness companies. “Parents aren’t just deciding whether they can afford soccer or basketball. They’re wrestling with whether they can afford experiences and communities that help shape who their children become. Parents shouldn’t have to choose between protecting their financial future and giving their child the opportunity to participate in activities they love. Unfortunately, that’s exactly the dilemma many families are facing.”
The survey was conducted by Talker Research among 2,000 U.S. parents of school-aged children (ages 5-17) between July 20-27, 2026. The survey explored parents’ financial behaviors, emotional experiences and spending decisions surrounding the 2026 back-to-school season.
