Girls’ club soccer in the United States has grown dramatically over the last decade. With the rise of leagues like ECNL, Girls Academy, NPL, and other national platforms, more players than ever are entering competitive environments with big dreams—college soccer or national teams.
The reality is, playing club soccer in the United States comes at a cost. The “pay to play” model relies on parents shelling out large amounts of funds to cover their child’s involvement in the team, which could be in the form of membership fees or upfront registration.
So, what does it really cost to play girls’ club soccer in the U.S.?
Club fees vary across states and organisations, but they can range from a few hundred dollars to over $3,000 just to get your child’s name on the roster. Factors influencing cost include location, league type, age and skill level, training frequency, and travel needs.
Tournaments or showcases can be an extra expense. Not to mention uniforms, private lessons, equipment, and travel can all add up to a strong barrier to entry for promising young players.
Here’s a breakdown of average potential costs for one year of club soccer:
- Club Registration / Player Fees:
$1,200–$3,500 for coaching, field rental, admin, and league play. - Uniform Kit (Home/Away + Training Gear):
$200–$500, depending on brand and club replacement cycle. - Equipment (cleats, shin guards, ball, backpack, etc.):
$150–$400 per year, depending on growth and wear. - Tournament Fees (local + a few travel tournaments):
$300–$1,200 total; varies by number of events. - Travel Costs (hotels, gas/airfare, meals):
$800–$3,000, depending on how many trainings and events the team attends. - Training Camps/Clinics & Optional Skills Sessions:
$200–$1,000 for optional extra development programs. - Team Expenses (referee fees, coach travel, team gear):
$100–$400, depending on how the team pools costs. - Strength & Conditioning / Injury Prevention (optional):
$150–$600 for private sessions or gym access if chosen.
Other additional expenses could include media, recruiting costs, and seasonal or situational costs.
What does the data say?
According to recent national data, the average cost per player nationwide is $1,016 annually (up 46% since 2019). Elite-level player costs can go up to $10,000 and can exceed $13,000+ with extensive travel and private training.
While wealthier families may be able to afford the travel expenses and time that go into committing a child to travel soccer, many families cannot.
What do the professionals say?
There are proponents of the pay-to-play model, although criticism is more common.
Athlete and advocate Alex Morgan spoke to Forbes about the pay-to-play model in 2019, saying, “Unfortunately, the pay-to-play model, I believe, is getting worse in soccer than when I played competitive soccer (growing up). It’s a very inexpensive sport, and the fact that we’ve made youth soccer in the U.S. more of a business than a grassroots sport is, I think, detrimental to the growth of the sport in the U.S.”
Hope Solo, former U.S. women’s soccer goalkeeper, has also stated that pay-to-play has alienated Hispanic, Black, and rural communities, making soccer a “rich white-kid sport”.
The (priceless?) joy of a sport.
So, this leads us to the million-dollar question: Is playing club soccer worth it? Ultimately, it’s in each family’s best interests to make that judgment based on the anticipated costs and probable hidden costs of joining a club soccer organization. It’s also vital to factor in your child’s interest level and goals. Ultimately, the soccer journey is about your child’s development as a person and player.
Read about the cost of playing soccer worldwide here.