Opens in a new tab

Buy a Sportball Franchise

Sportball is a children’s multi-sport enrichment franchise built around developmentally appropriate, non-competitive coaching for kids aged 16 months to 12 years. Founded in 1995 and franchising since 2007, the brand teaches the fundamentals of eight sports, including soccer, basketball, baseball and football, through games and play rather than competition.

The methodology is research-based, developed with input from the University of Toronto and the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, and focuses on physical literacy, confidence and social skills. Programmes run in shared-use spaces such as gyms, schools and community centres, which supports a low-overhead, home-based and mobile model rather than a fixed retail location.

With 900-plus locations and more than 60,000 participants a year, Sportball operates across four countries: the U.S., Canada, Singapore and India. The company is renewing its U.S. franchise expansion to meet rising demand for structured youth sports. Franchisees run protected territories and manage a team of certified coaches who deliver programmes locally.

Latest Resales

  • There are currently no Sportball resales available

Why buy a Sportball Franchise?

Sportball sits in a youth sports category that has stayed resilient through downturns and the pandemic, supported by parents who increasingly value structured, non-competitive activity for young children. To buy a Sportball franchise is to take on a 30-year brand with a research-backed curriculum and the distinction of being one of the first to offer developmentally appropriate, multi-sport training to children 12 and under.

The ownership case rests on a low-overhead model: programmes run in rented gyms, schools and community spaces, so there is no buildout or commercial lease to carry. The model is also scalable, growing by adding coaches and programmes rather than opening new premises. A coach certification system helps owners recruit and develop the talent the business depends on.

Sportball Franchise Costs & Information

  • Minimum Qualifications

    • Initial Franchise Fee

      $50,000

    • Initial Investment

      $62,000 - $81,000

  • Royalty

    • Royalty Fee

      8%

  • Training & Support

    • 25 hours on the job training

    • 40 hours classroom training

    • Ongoing support

    • Marketing support

Sportball – Additional  Information

  1. Training & Support

    Incoming owners receive 40 hours of classroom training and 25 hours of on-the-job training, plus ongoing operations and field support. Sportball's coach certification programme is central to operations, giving owners a structured way to recruit and develop the coaches who deliver classes. Franchisees also gain access to proprietary software and a franchisee intranet, with ongoing marketing support across co-op advertising, social media, SEO, email and loyalty programmes. Resale buyers should confirm what transfer training is offered to incoming owners and whether existing coaches hold current Sportball certification.

  2. Ideal Owner

    The model suits a hands-on local operator who is comfortable recruiting, certifying and managing a team of coaches, since the business grows by adding staff and programmes rather than premises. Strong community and relationship skills matter for building ties with schools, venues and parents that drive enrolment. A genuine interest in children's development, sport and active living fits the brand's purpose; backgrounds in education, kinesiology or coaching help but are not required. Owners should be organised schedulers, comfortable juggling multiple class locations and seasonal enrolment cycles.

  3. Recognition & Awards

    Sportball has built its reputation over 30 years as a pioneer of developmentally appropriate, non-competitive multi-sport programming, with a curriculum shaped alongside the University of Toronto and the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario. Its longevity, 900-plus locations across four countries and 60,000-plus annual participants signal an established system. For resale buyers, brand-level recognition should be weighed alongside the specific territory's local reputation, parent reviews, referral sources and school and community relationships.

  4. Industry / Market

    The North American youth sports market was valued at roughly $37.5 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $69.4 billion by 2030, a compound annual growth rate near 9.2% (Statista). Growth is driven by greater awareness of childhood physical activity, rising enrichment spending by dual-income families, and demand for structured, non-competitive programmes for younger children. Average annual youth sports spending runs around $883 per child. For resale buyers, local demand depends on territory demographics, the number of young families, and access to suitable gym and community-space venues.

Learn more about
how to own a Sportball franchise resale

Please fill out the form below and a Franchise Flippers expert will be in touch with you shortly.

The Franchise Brand Index

This page is part of Franchise Flippers’ independent franchise Index, designed as an educational resource to help potential buyers explore the franchise resale market and compare brands.

Trademark & Affiliation Disclaimer

This website is an independent, informational resource. All trademarks, logos, and brand names displayed are the property of their respective owners and are used solely for identification and educational purposes. Their use does not imply any affiliation with, endorsement by, or sponsorship from the respective trademark holders.