If you’ve played football, basketball, tennis, or even swimming, you know it can be pricey to have the proper uniform, gear, and exercise equipment. But compared to the few hundreds of dollars you drop throughout the year on these items, it’s not remotely as high as some of the most expensive sports to play.
From equestrian to fencing, we’ve found the top seven most expensive sports to play proving that these sports are not for the faint of heart.
6. Gymnastics, $20,000
Gymnastics is a common sport for kids, but it’s also one of the most expensive sports to play. When looking at elite gymnasts, they average about $20,000 a year, but sometimes it can cost even more than that.
A big factor is competition costs, along with the cost of travel. Along with that, most elite gymnasts have around 20 leotards, which also costs a few hundred dollars each. And don’t forget, like any major sport, there’s also a large fee for trainers as well.
Related: Most Expensive LEGO Sets: From Tauntauns to Turtles
5. Figure Skating, $50,000
Figure skating is an elegant and beautiful sport, but it’s also considered one of the most expensive sports to play. When looking at beginner skaters, it’s roughly a few hundred dollars, and then a few hundred dollars more for intermediate.
When going to senior and elite competitive figure skaters, then expect to average around $30,000 a year for outfits, skates, skate sharpening monthly, training, traveling, and more.
Read Next: Most Expensive Fidget Spinners in the World
4. Bobsleigh, $100,000
Bobsleighing might not be a sport you’d imagine when thinking of the most expensive sports to play. But the thrilling winter sport where sleek, aerodynamic sleds reach nearly 90 miles per hour down icy tracks is extremely pricey.
First, you have to think about the cost of a bobsled, with 2-man sleds being around $40,000, and 4-man sleds being $80,000. Then you have to deal with maintenance, transportation and storage, track time and training, safety gear, and then entry fees for certain races, you’re looking at around $100,000 per team or athlete to bobsled.
Check Out: Most Expensive Fender Guitars Ever
3. Tennis, $150,000
Every sport has different levels of expense, and for tennis, there’s a wide gap. A lot of people start their tennis journey as a summer hobby or as a high school sport where for the most part you’re only spending a few hundred dollars.
But once you start getting into competitions, that’s when the price rises, especially when you start getting better equipment, better coaching, and then traveling to events. At the professional level, you’re looking at roughly $150,000 for coaching, equipment, and travel fees when doing professional tournaments.
Also Read: Why Are French Bulldogs So Expensive?
2. Equestrian, $550,000
Of course, there’s different levels to equestrian, just like any sport. There are casual riders that do this more for a hobby, and then there are the highly competitive contestants that do all the shows that they can attend. And with this sport, it’s not just about having the proper attire and a few items, but an entire living animal that you have to train and take care of.
When starting equestrian as a causal rider, you’re looking at around $5,000 a year. But for the upper levels with the top horses, full training, vet care, travel and competition fees. With the average prime sport horse being around $50,000 to $500,000, you’re looking at spending around $50,000 on top of the cost of your horse.
Read More: Did You Know This is the Most Expensive Horse Breed?
1. Formula One, Millions
While Equestrian has a living breathing animal that you have to tend to, Formula One racers have a heavy piece of equipment that they use and abuse constantly. When looking at the most expensive sports to play, Formula One racers are up there.
Formula One in general costs a lot to train just because of the geographical limitations, and the expensive of the car, along with upkeep. Supposedly, just to get yourself a vehicle, you’re looking at spending nearly $12 million.
