What a club soccer season costs
For a competitive or club athlete, plan on roughly $2,000–$12,000+ a year. Across all levels, rec included, families spent an average of $910 a year on soccer in the Aspen Institute's 2024 Project Play survey (up from $537 in 2019).
| Line item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| ECNL club fees, 2025–26 (examples from club fee pages) | $2,700–$4,495 / year |
| ECNL Regional League fees (example) | ≈ $2,280 + $580 fall registration |
| Monthly dues plan (example: 11 months, June – April) | $300 / month |
| Uniform kit | $385–$436 |
| All-in at ECNL / MLS NEXT level (estimate) | $5,000–$12,000+ / year |
When the money is needed
- May – June: Tryouts. An offer usually comes with the first dues payment and a kit order.
- August – June: Fall and spring seasons: league games, travel and college showcases for older players.
- Monthly: Dues plans that spread the club fee across 10–11 months.
- July: National playoffs and finals — ECNL and US Youth Soccer nationals.
The money moments to plan for
These are the points in a club soccer year when a family suddenly needs cash — and the best moments to ask for support, because there's a specific, believable reason.
- The first dues payment and the kit order, right after a tryout offer.
- College showcase and ID events for high-school-age players.
- Summer playoff and national-championship travel.
- A team change: from 2026–27, US Youth Soccer, AYSO and US Club Soccer group players by school year instead of birth year, so many players are changing age group or team this year — and paying new kit and fees.
Fundraising ideas that fit club soccer
Turn the dues into a monthly ask
If dues are $300 a month, twelve supporters at $25 cover them. Monthly support lines up with how club soccer actually bills — and it is easier to say yes to than a $3,000 ask.
Sponsor a showcase weekend
For high-school players, each college showcase has a cost and a purpose. "Help me get seen by college coaches in March" is a concrete, shareable ask.
The kit sponsor
A new kit is a one-time, easy-to-picture cost — a natural ask for a grandparent or a family friend who wants to give something specific.
Plan for July now
If your team has a shot at playoffs or nationals, add the trip to the goal early. Use the nationals trip calculator to price it.
A sample season goal
A goal people trust is itemized and specific. Here's what a club soccer goal of $5,000 over 10 months could look like:
- Club dues (11 months): $3,300
- Uniform kit: $400
- Two showcase weekends: $900
- Summer playoff travel: $400
That's about $500 a month — or roughly 20 supporters giving $25 a month. Write the line items on the fund page, so a grandparent can see their $25 is "one tournament entry," not a vague donation. See how to set a fundraising goal for the full method.
National championships
If your athlete qualifies, these are the trips to budget for:
- US Youth Soccer National Championships — Typically mid-to-late July (2027 dates and host TBA), TBA
- ECNL National Playoffs & Finals — Typically mid-July (2027 dates and hosts TBA), TBA
Use the nationals trip budget calculator to price the trip.
Grants worth checking
- All Kids Play — Youth Sports Grants — Registration, equipment, uniforms and other reasonable costs — recreational, class or travel sports.
- Every Kid Sports — Every Kid Sports Pass — Registration fees.
- Women's Sports Foundation — Travel & Training Fund — Coaching, training, equipment and travel toward national and world championships.
The full list, with who qualifies and how to apply, is in the youth sports grants directory.
Start a free club soccer fund page
Grants and budgeting rarely close the whole gap. A Sport Fund page lets family, friends and local supporters back your athlete once or every month — free for athletes, and 100% of every donation reaches them (the small fee is added on top for the supporter, never taken out).
Frequently asked questions
How much does ECNL soccer cost?
ECNL club fees on 2025–26 club fee pages ranged from about $2,700 to $4,500 a year, plus kit and registration fees. Counting travel, showcases and summer playoffs, estimates for ECNL and MLS NEXT families run $5,000–$12,000 or more a year.
Why are so many players changing teams in 2026–27?
Starting with the 2026–27 season, US Youth Soccer, AYSO and US Club Soccer group players by school year (August 1 – July 31) rather than birth year. Many players move to a new age group, and often a new team — with new fees and kit.
Can a club soccer player fundraise on their own?
Yes. A player's fund page covers what the family pays — dues, kit, showcase travel — and is separate from any team fundraiser. With Sport Fund the athlete keeps 100% of every donation, and supporters can give monthly.
Sources: Aspen Institute Project Play 2024 family spending survey; Davis Legacy SC 2025–26 player dues; WSA ECNL-RL financials; SF Elite fees; MyClubScout ECNL cost estimate; School-year age groups from 2026–27 (TCSL). Costs vary widely by region, club and level; figures are ranges, not quotes.
Guides for other sports
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