How Much Does it Cost to Start a Soccer Team in the US

Starting a soccer team in the United States is an exciting but challenging adventure, whether you’re trying to start a youth soccer team, a semi-professional team, or even dreaming of building the next professional team in your city. The total cost of launching a football club can vary depending on multiple factors, including level of play, field rentals, league fees, player registration, gear and equipment, and coaching staff salaries.

For club owners, the initial investment can range from a reasonable budget for smaller clubs to huge investments for a professional soccer team. In this guide, I will break down how much money it costs to launch your own soccer team, from the first season to long-term sustainability.

How Much Does it Cost to Start a Soccer Team in The United States?

Starting a soccer team in the U.S. typically costs between $10,000 and $50,000, covering field rentals, equipment, insurance, league fees, and coaching staff salaries. Smaller youth soccer clubs may spend less money, especially with local school partnerships or sponsorships, while competitive teams may face higher expenses for tournaments, player registration, and facilities.

With that being said, competitive adult teams can also form partnerships and sponsorships and even attract investors. This is a list of the main costs involved when starting your own soccer club for adults and/or young athletes.

• Field Rental Fees:
  • Renting a soccer field for the year can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000 per season, depending on location and quality of the facilities. Also depending on the type of club you are you may even be able to build your own field or buy one. which is the best case scenario if it’s in your budget.
• Costs for Purchasing Equipment:
  • Soccer gear and equipment for the year such as soccer balls, ball bags, soccer goals, rebounders, soccer cameras, cones, uniforms (both a home kit and an away kit), and more will also cost about $2,000 to $7,000 depending on the quantity and quality you purchase.
• Insurance:
  • Securing general liability insurance for the team can cost anywhere between $1,000 and $3,000 annually.
• Marketing & Promotion:
  • Marketing, social media campaigns, flyers, and local ads will vary from club to club but can also cost around $500 to $3,000
• Coaching Salaries:
  • Depending on how many teams your club has you will need to hire different coaching staff, such as head coaches and assistant coaches. Coaches’ pay varies, but expect to spend $3,000 to $15,000 per season, depending on experience.
• League & Registration Fees:
  • Next you will also want to consider league registration fees, which can be anywhere from $500 and $1,500, covering player registration and club entry.
• Administrative Costs:
  • Licenses, permits, and other setup expenses typically range from $200 to $1,000.
• Event Expenses:
  • Hosting tournaments or friendly matches may add $1,000 to $5,000 to your budget.

How to Fund and Sustain a Soccer Team

Running a soccer team requires ongoing financial support which is why securing funding is essential for long-term success. Here are some of the main ways to fund your soccer team

• Sponsorships & Partnerships:
  • Partner with local businesses or brands to secure funding in exchange for advertising on jerseys, banners, or social media.
• Player Membership Fees:
  • Charge a seasonal or monthly fee to help cover costs like facility rentals and uniforms.
• Fundraising Events:
  • Organize raffles, tournaments, or community events to raise funds.
• Grants & Scholarships:
  • Research local and national sports grants designed to support youth soccer clubs and community teams.
• Merchandise Sales:
  • Sell team jerseys, scarves, and other branded merchandise to generate additional income.

Sustaining a team requires smart financial planning, so having multiple revenue streams ensures your football club stays competitive and financially stable.

Summary

Starting a soccer team in the United States requires careful planning and financial investment, with costs ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 depending on the level of competition. Major expenses include field rental, equipment, insurance, league fees, coaching salaries, and marketing.

While smaller clubs can reduce costs through local school partnerships or sponsorships, competitive teams may need more funding for tournament fees, player registration, and high-quality facilities. In this blog post I went over the main costs of starting your very own soccer team in the United States.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost so start a professional MLS team?

In order to become an expansion team in the highest level league in professional soccer in America, club owners have to pay a fee of 100 to 500 millions to become an official MLS expansion side. The cost for a Premier league level cub would be anywhere from hundreds of millions of dollars to even billions.

How to invest in a professional soccer team?

Investing in a soccer team, such as Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, and many other teams, can be done by buying a stake in a club, starting a youth soccer program, sponsoring teams, or forming a new football club. Smaller club owners can reduce startup costs through partnerships with local schools, potential sponsors, and other clubs. Investing in talented players, coaching staff, and strong facilities can increase a team’s value, while league fees and club fees vary depending on the level of competition.

How can I learn more about the game?

To learn more about soccer the most important thing is to join a team and play the game as much as possible. If possible, analyze high level games as much as you can and your own games as well by recording them with a soccer camera. Also read soccer books, listen to podcasts and interviews watch soccer documentaries, as well as some movies, tv shows, and anime.