The figures are presented in a report commissioned by the Swedish Sports Confederation. It shows that households spend an average of 9,400 kronor per year on each child's main sport.
This is almost a doubling compared to 2003 – and between 2009 and 2023, the increase was 68 percent.
It's not good at all, considering the challenges we're facing. We need to get moving because we're becoming more sedentary, says Anna Lindberg.
According to the report, ice hockey (24,300 kronor) is the most expensive sport, followed by tennis (23,700) and equestrian sports (17,700). The cheapest are martial arts and athletics (both 5,000).
If sports become too expensive, it may become harder to attract and retain children and young people – both in recreational sports and among talented athletes.
"It's devastating"
There is a great risk that we'll miss out on those who eventually find something they want to focus on. It sounds dramatic, but it's devastating, says Anna Lindberg.
Krister Hertting, a lecturer in pedagogy, has written the report together with Stefan Wagnsson, a lecturer in sports science. He agrees that sports may miss out on talented athletes if it becomes too expensive.
If economics becomes a part of being talented, it's a risk. I know that many clubs try to help and support those who can't afford it, but I believe we're losing talented athletes.
According to the report, increased costs are mainly linked to fees, travel, and "other" expenses. Hertting says that one explanation for the cost increase is that sports are becoming more commercial and professional.
"Like a test lab"
Sports are becoming more and more of a market, and it's trickling down to children's sports. It's also becoming more competition-intensive, with more cups, tournaments, and competitions at an earlier age, he says.
Interestingly, while most things have become more expensive, the cost of equipment has decreased. One explanation may be that children can swap and inherit gear – another that more people are lending equipment.
The former OS star Anna Lindberg is now a development strategist at Fritidsbanken. The organization, which is like a library with sports and outdoor gear, has 131 locations in the country and lent out 1.8 million items in 2024.
Many activities require gear, and we have an economically difficult situation, so it's unreasonable to go and buy gear just to try out a new activity. Fritidsbanken becomes like a test lab, where you can borrow and try, says Lindberg.
Ice hockey: 24,300 kronor per child/year
Tennis: 23,700 kr
Equestrian sports: 17,700 kr
Swimming: 11,400 kr
Handball: 10,100 kr
Floorball: 10,000 kr
Soccer: 8,800 kr
Basketball: 7,200 kr
Other sports: 6,600 kr
Gymnastics: 5,900 kr
Athletics: 5,000 kr
Martial arts: 5,000 kr
The figures were obtained through a survey where parents answered how much it costs per child and year for the child's main sport.
Source: The report "Smakar det så kostar det".
