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Higher-income families more likely to enroll kids in organized sports, an AP-Ipsos poll finds
Nearly all adults see teamwork, fitness and resilience as benefits, while about 8 in 10 sports parents say scheduling and fees are a challenge.
- An AP-Ipsos poll conducted July 21–26, 2026, reveals a stark income-related participation gap in youth sports. About 7 in 10 K-12 parents earning at least $100,000 report children play organized sports, compared to about 4 in 10 lower-income parents.
- Parents overwhelmingly prioritize youth athletics because they feel the benefits—teamwork, fitness, and social connection—outweigh the drawbacks. About 8 in 10 sports parents report feeling "proud" and "happy" about their children's participation.
- Logistical challenges affect about 8 in 10 households, while roughly two-thirds of K-12 parents spend up to $2,000 annually on equipment, fees, and travel. Tanisha Curry, 51, of Ohio said, "There's travel, the uniforms, pitching in on the lunches," noting the family prioritizes participation despite budget strain.
- About 6 in 10 sports parents say athletic scholarships or improved college acceptance odds play either a major or minor role in enrollment decisions. Lower-income families are significantly more likely to cite these opportunities as a major motivation for participation.
- New York resident Kathryn Stuczynski, 37, budgets carefully to afford her daughters' wrestling activities, stating, "I'd rather have the old phone, you know?" The AP-Ipsos survey of 1,737 adults using Ipsos' KnowledgePanel confirms parents invest in youth sports despite significant financial hurdles.
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33 Articles
33 Articles
Higher-income families more likely to enroll kids in organized sports: Poll
The findings point to a key problem in youth sports: parents almost universally see participation as an important part of kids’ childhood, but the out-of-pocket expenses can be significant.
·Washington, United States
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abc10 News+8 Reposted by 8 other sources
Poll: Higher-income families more likely to enroll kids in organized sports
Americans overwhelmingly see major benefits to children playing organized sports, a new poll finds, but higher-income families are more likely to participate.
·Poway, United States
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Associated Press News+17 Reposted by 17 other sources
Higher-income families more likely to enroll kids in organized sports, an AP-Ipsos poll finds
A new AP-Ipsos poll finds Americans overwhelmingly see major benefits to children playing organized sports, but higher-income families are more likely to participate.
·New York, United States
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Total News Sources33
Leaning Left10Leaning Right1Center21Last UpdatedBias Distribution66% Center
Bias Distribution
- 66% of the sources are Center
66% Center
L 31%
C 66%
Factuality
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