Starting a soccer club is a rewarding way to give players of all ages and skill levels opportunities to play, develop, and enjoy the beautiful game. However, starting a soccer club requires more than just passion because you also need the right equipment, a solid budget, and proper organization to turn your vision into a successful program.
When you're building a new club, whether it's a youth soccer club, an amateur team, or any travel soccer team in general, the equipment you invest in from day one will directly impact your organization's ability to train athletes, compete in leagues and tournaments, and create a professional environment that attracts more players and earns the respect of parents and other clubs in your community. Besides training gear and equipment, other important elements like league registration fees, insurance, securing a training field, a home field for game day, handling player registration, and recruiting quality coaches and volunteers all work together to build a foundation for success.
The league registration fee process will vary from league to league so it is important to understand the US soccer pyramid to determine which level is appropriate for your club's skill level and competitive goals. In this list, I will go over the essential equipment needed to run a soccer club, from the fundamentals to specialized gear that will help your athletes develop and compete at a high level while making your club an organized and professional experience for players, families, and your entire organization.
What is the Essential Equipment Needed when Starting a New Soccer Club?
If you're planning on starting a soccer club or are interested in learning what it takes to start one, below is a complete guide of equipment and an estimate of how much each item will cost to help you create a realistic budget for your new club. Some items can be covered through player registration fees or paid for individually by players, while other items, like coaching equipment, are good for your club to have as backups, even though most coaches should already own their own whistles, stopwatches, and tactical boards.
Team Uniforms (Jerseys,Shorts, Socks, Warmups)
Custom team uniforms with the team's logo create a professional identity for your soccer club, and they are essential for competing in league games. You can have players pay for their own uniforms easily inside the 360Player app.
Cost: $50 - $250 per player (depending on package - basic jersey/shorts vs. complete set with warm-ups)
Training Uniforms
Dedicated training gear, a minimum of a training jersey, allows players to train comfortably while protecting game-day uniforms.
Cost: $20-$40 per player
Soccer Balls
The soccer ball is the most important piece of soccer equipment, and you want to make sure you have enough for your team to train efficiently.
Cost: $15-$100 per ball
Ball Pump and Needles
The second most important piece of soccer equipment is a ball pump because soccer balls can naturally lose air over time from regular use and weather exposure.
Cost: $10-$25
Soccer Ball Bag
If you want to buy a lot of soccer balls for your team, a smart idea is to invest in soccer ball bags to make transporting everything much easier.
Cost: $20-$60
Equipment Cart
Another way to transport different equipment is with an equipment cart, which can be used for game days and training days.
Cost: $50-$200
Training Cones
Training cones are a fundamental piece of equipment that helps coaches set up drills and mark field boundaries.
Cost: $10-$40 per set (depending on the amount and size of the cones)
Agility Training Equipment
Besides training cones, other agility training equipment to invest in includes agility ladders, hurdles, speed rings, and agility poles.
Cost: $20-$100 (depending on equipment type)
Training Bibs/Pinnies
Training bibs allow coaches to divide players into teams during practice without needing multiple uniforms or training sets.
Cost: $25-$50 per set (typically 12-20 bibs)
Soccer Rebounders
Rebounders, which can come as nets or boards, are a great way to add more ball touches and repetitions to training sessions, and they act as training partners that do not get tired.
Cost: $40-$150 per rebounder
Soccer Goals
One piece of equipment that you need to play the actual game on a full-sized field is a set of regulation soccer goals, which are essential for hosting matches and creating realistic game scenarios during training.
Cost: $100-$1000(portable training goals to full-size regulation goals)
Soccer Nets
If you do invest in any type of metal goal, you will also need soccer nets and replacement nets in case the originals tear, weather damage occurs, or they wear out from regular use throughout the season.
Cost: $30-$150 per net (depending on goal size)
Mini Soccer Goals
Mini soccer goals are great for setting up various types of passing, shooting, and small-sided games, and are great for different-sized fields.
Cost:$30-$100 per pair
Field Lining Equipment
If you play on a grass field that doesn't have field lines already, field lining equipment is a necessary piece of equipment to prepare for game days.
Cost: $50-$300 (basic chalk/paint to professional lining machines)
Corner Flags
Another necessary game day piece of equipment is the corner flags, which are used to mark the four corners of the field and are required by most leagues for official matches.
Cost: $30-$60 per set (4 flags)
Soccer Camera or Video Equipment
One way to rewatch games and analyze player performance is by investing in video equipment, which helps coaches identify areas for improvement and create highlight reels for players.
Cost: $100-$2500 (basic camera to quality video equipment, note the most popular soccer video cameras might require subscriptions)
Team Benches
Team benches give your team a designated area during soccer matches and help your organization maintain professional standards at league games.
Cost: $80-$250 (per bench)
Team Tent or Canopy
Something that can be used to cover asoccer bench or provide shade for players and coaches during game day is aportable tent or canopy.
Cost: $100-$400
Laptop or Tablet
Finally, a laptop or tablet will help club administrators efficiently manage player registration, track budgets and fees, schedule games and practices, and communicate important information to families throughout the season. You can manage your entire club online through 360Player.
Cost: $200-$1,000 (depending on device quality)
How do you Budget for Soccer Club Equipment?
Based on the equipment list above, the total costs for outfitting a new soccer club can range from approximately $3,000 to $15,000, depending on if player's pay for their own uniforms and other fees, the quality of gear, size of your squad, how much equipment you buy, what equipment you buy besides the essentials, and whether you purchase premium or budget options. However, most new clubs starting at the local level can operate effectively with a $3,000-$7,000 budget for their first season, which covers essential training equipment and necessary items to compete in league matches.
Creating a realistic budget is essential when learning how to start a soccer club because equipment costs directly impact your ability to pay for other expenses like an insurance policy, soccer field rental fees, league registration, and compensating coaches. Here are the most important tips when it comes to budgeting for equipment and reducing costs while still providing your players with quality gear to compete at a high level.
Prioritize Essentials First
Focus your budget on must-have items like uniforms, soccer balls, training cones, and goals before investing in specialized equipment that can be added as your club grows.
Fundraise and Host Events
Host events like recreational leagues, tournaments, or pickups, to help raise funds for the soccer club.
Seek Local Sponsors
Reach out to potential sponsors like local businesses and families who can cover uniform costs or equipment expenses in exchange for promoting their brand.
Find Volunteers and Interns
Finding volunteers and having internship can help reduce labor costs which allows clubs to spend that money on equipment instead
Share Resources
Partner with other local organizations to share resources and split costs on expensive items or even field availability.
Buy Gently Used Equipment
Don't always buy everything brand new; sometimes purchasing quality used gear from other organizations can help you save money.
Buy in Bulk for Discounts
Buy equipment, like training balls, in bulk to negotiate better prices with suppliers and reduce per-unit cost.
Apply for Sports Grants
Apply for a sports grant to help cover equipment or other expenses, which can help save money to then buy more equipment when needed.
Network and Build Strong Partnerships
Network with other people, brands, and organizations to discover sponsorship opportunities, equipment donation programs, and collaborative partnerships.
Leverage Non-Profit Status
If your club operates as a non-profit organization, take advantage of tax deductions on equipment purchases and explore special deals or discounts.
Final Thoughts
Starting a soccer club takes dedication, organization, and a well-planned investment in the right equipment. By prioritizing essentials, building a realistic budget, and leveraging community support through fundraising, sponsorships, and partnerships, you can create a sustainable foundation for growth. With the proper tools in place, your club won’t just run efficiently, it will inspire players, unite families, and bring your community together around the beautiful game.
