Ranking the 20 most expensive sports in the world right now

Some sports and games are deemed dangerous or delicate; hence, the required equipment, training fees, and ticket prices are very costly. To some extent, society perceives the few who can afford these games as well-off or affluent. Discover below the most expensive sports in the world, which often, only the rich play or attend.

This article lists games that are widely considered expensive to participate in. They are believed to be sports of the rich because many cannot afford the training fees, equipment prices, league fees, club membership fees, and other costs associated with these sports.

What is the most expensive sport?

Since expensive is a subjective term, sports listed here may not be costly to everyone but are not affordable to most of the world's population. This article discusses the following sports but note that they are not arranged in any particular order, i.e., from the most expensive to the least costly and vice versa:

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You can play the most expensive sports in the world for recreation or as hobbies if you can afford them. You can also participate as a spectator if you can afford the tickets. The middle-class and the low-class members often avoid participating in such games due to financial constraints.

20. Baccarat

• First played: 1500s, Rome, Italy
• Players: Various
• Type: Indoor
• Main equipment: Playing cards, baccarat display, and a shuffler
• Venue: Clubs and betting houses

Baccarat or baccara is a card game played at clubhouses. It is one of the most expensive betting games in Macau, China. VIPs play the baccarat game by their own rules. So, to partake in this luxury game, reserve a table with a dealer and staff to look and feel lavish. While the exact origin of Baccarat is unclear, most believe the game was first invented in the 1500s in Rome, Italy.

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19. Scuba diving

• First played: 1950s, United States
• Players: Various
• Type: Outdoor
• Main equipment: Scuba gear and snorkeling gear
• Venue: Body of water

Scuba diving is an underwater aquatic sport and a hobby. Divers use breathing equipment entirely independent of a surface breathing gas supply and, therefore, have limited but variable endurance. Many cannot afford to engage in scuba diving as a hobby or sport because the equipment and training are costly. A basic scuba gear set, including a mask, fins, snorkel, dive exposure suit, BCD, and regulator, would cost around $700 - $1,500, not including a scuba computer.

18. Skydiving

• First played: 18th century, France
• Players: Various
• Type: Outdoor
• Main equipment: Scuba gear and snorkeling gear
• Venue: The sky

Parachuting and skydiving are among the top 20 most expensive sports in the world. The game involves jumping from an airplane and typically executing a prolonged free fall before deploying a parachute. Skydiving can be done individually and with groups of people. Training is required, but the equipment and the training are too expensive for many. Therefore, it is considered a sport for the rich. While the use of parachutes dates back to 1100 in China, the activity we call "skydiving" can be most directly linked to France in the late 18th century.

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17. Jet skiing

• First played: 1977, United States
• Players: Various
• Type: Outdoor
• Main equipment: Motorboat and protective gear like safety jackets, helmets, and gloves
• Venue: Body of water

In 1977, David Wiles from San Diego organized and put on the first official jet ski Race. Jet skiing has become popular since more people want to try this exciting water sport. A jet ski is expensive, and a sports boat license is required to drive it in the developed world. The average jet ski costs around $14,000 - $16,000 in the US, and you can rent one for an hourly rate of between $120 and over $400.

16. Water skiing

• First played: 1922, United States
• Players: Singles or doubles
• Type: Outdoor or indoor
• Main equipment: Water skis, motorboat, and towline
• Venue: Body of water

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Water skiing is a surface water sport in which an individual is pulled behind a boat or a cable ski installation over a body of water, skimming the surface on two skis or one ski. Training classes are costly and vary depending on the region and the trainer. Additionally, Water skiing equipment can cost as much as $2,199 or more.

15. Tennis

• First played: 19th century, Birmingham, England, United Kingdom
• Players: Singles or doubles
• Type: Outdoor or indoor
• Main equipment: Ball, racket, and net
• Venue: Tennis court

Tennis has traditionally been seen as a costly sport. In recent decades, the sport has shed its country club reputation as a sport for the wealthy. Often, tennis is considered a rich sport, primarily due to the fees associated with renting tennis courts, which can range from $50 to $100 per hour, and competitive entry fees. Tennis players incur expenses due to costly training lessons and various equipment types, such as racquets, shoes, balls, strings, and tennis court fees. All these make it one of the most expensive sports franchises.

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14. Fencing

• First played: Between the 17th and 19th centuries in Europe
• Players: Singles or team relay
• Type: Indoor
• Main equipment: Épée, foil, saber, body cord, lamé, and grip
• Venue: Piste

Fencing is one of the most expensive sports to play in the world, with athletes bearing the costs of coaching fees, equipment, travel expenses, and tournament entry fees. These expenses can quickly accumulate to as little as $2500 per year for a non-competitive fencer and $20,000 for a globally competitive fencer.

13. American football

• First played: November 6, 1869, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
• Players: 2 teams (22 players)
• Type: Outdoor
• Main equipment: Football, football helmet, and pads (shoulder, thigh, knee, and optional elbow)
• Venue: Football field

American football necessitates a large amount of protective gear. The typical cost of outfitting a youth football player is roughly $558, with the majority of money going toward a helmet (around $200, but up to $350) and shoulder pads ($200). Additionally, given that American football stadiums have limited seating, sellers raise prices of NFL tickets to a point where only a few buyers can attend. Also, the dynamic pricing on ticket-resale platforms and stadiums/arenas with more luxury suites and premium seats have driven up prices.

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12. Ice hockey

• First played: 1875, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
• Players: 2 teams (17 - 22 players)
• Type: Indoor
• Main equipment: Pucks, sticks, skates, socks, pants, pads (shin, shoulder, and elbow), gloves, helmet, jock, neck and mouth guards
• Venue: Hockey rink or arena

Ice hockey is a relatively costly sport, with equipment costing roughly $1,000 and lasting many years. Hockey equipment is essential for safety and needs to be high-quality and durable to withstand the rough nature of the sport. The equipment includes skates, helmets, shoulder pads, shin guards, gloves, and sticks. In addition to equipment, ice training time, and instructors, rink rental, travel, and league fees are also costly.

11. Lacrosse

• First played: 12th century, modified by Europeans in the 17th century
• Players: 2 teams (17 - 22 players)
• Type: Outdoor or indoor
• Main equipment: Lacrosse stick, ball, body armor or pads, and different protective gear
• Venue: Outdoor lacrosse field or indoor lacrosse rink

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Lacrosse is one of the most expensive sports for kids. On average, a set of lax gear costs $565, with the helmet being the most expensive piece of equipment at $200. Research showed that a family in the US would spend around $693 annually per child, and families with several children playing lacrosse would hand over an estimated $1,289 annually, including approximately $280 for equipment.

10. Sailing

• First played: 18th century
• Players: 2 - 8 crew members (small yachts 80-100ft) and 8 - 20 members (mid-sized yachts 100-200ft)
• Type: Outdoor
• Main equipment: Yachting parlance, sailing rigs, tethers, lifejackets, searchlights, and water strobes
• Venue: Sailing/yachting center

If one wants to compete in tournaments like the Vice Admiral's Cup and the Emirates America's Cup World Series, one can spend up to $20,000 on a sailing vessel deposit and $1000 on monthly charges. These sailing tournaments usually last a few months, and the boat is stored for the remainder of the year. People spend most of their money when the ship is being kept since it is vital to ensure that it is ready to return to the sea once it is on dry land. The boat's maintenance becomes prohibitively expensive over time.

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9. Ski jumping

• First played: 22 November 1808, Olaf Rye, Eidsberg church, Eidsberg, Norway
• Players: M Individual (50), L Individual (40), Team event (4), Super Team event (2)
• Type: Outdoor
• Main equipment: Ski boots, padded suit, poles, helmet, bindings, gloves, and goggles
• Venue: Ski jumping hill

Ski jumping is a winter sport where competitors aim to achieve the farthest jump after sliding down on their skis from a specially designed curved ramp. The classic game's underdog story, "Eddie The Eagle," popularized the phenomenon even among non-sport lovers. Ski jumping is not among the costliest games at first glance, but this is the most expensive style. Equipment can cost up to $3000, which is minimal compared to a skeleton or bobsleigh.

8. Polo

• First played: 6th C. BCE – 1st C. CE by Eurasian nomadic peoples of Central Asia
• Players: Field polo (4) and arena polo (3)
• Type: Outdoor
• Main equipment: Polo horse, mallet, ball, and protective wear
• Venue: Polo field or arena

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Like equestrian, Polo necessitates acquiring an elite horse and maintenance, training, and travel expenses. Polo ponies must be exercised regularly, necessitating two grooms at a monthly cost of $2500. Tournaments can range in price from $3,500 to $150,000. Patronizing and sponsoring tournament teams can cost between $300,000 and $1,000,000. In addition, Polo has a high probability of injury. Thus, individuals planning to participate should expect to incur significant medical costs.

7. Jai alai

• First played: 14th century
• Players: Various
• Type: Outdoor or indoor
• Main equipment: Pelota, xistera/Cesta Punta
• Venue: Jai alai court or the “cancha"

Jai alai or pelota vasca is a variation of the Basque pelota games and one of the top 10 most expensive sports in the world. The sport involves bouncing a ball off a walled-in space with a hand-held wicker, commonly called a cesta. It is played worldwide, especially in Spain, France, the U.S. state of Florida, and various Latin American countries. The salaries of Jai alai players in the US range between $31k to $262k, and the average is $64k. They use equipment called a Cesta Punta, which costs on average around €500!

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6. Formula 1

• First played: 1950
• Players: 20 drivers and 10 teams per Formula 1 grid
• Type: Outdoor
• Main equipment: Fireproof race suit, boots, balaclava, helmet, neck protection, gloves with a biometric sensor
• Venue: Grands Prix, raceways, or race rings

Formula 1 is an adrenaline-pumping game for both participants and fans. Formula 1 ignites euphoria in all who love this phenomenon as the tires take to the track and the sheer sound of speeding cars fills the air. F1 is the most expensive racing sport. Even the smallest teams near the rear of the field can have vehicles worth around $2 million. A total of 20 drivers and 10 teams make up a Formula 1 grid, with each outfit fielding two cars

5. Bobsledding

• First played: 1870s
• Players: Singles or teams of 2 or 4
• Type: Indoor
• Main equipment: High-tech sleigh and helmet
• Venue: Bobsleigh tracks

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Bobsleigh or bobsled is a winter sport in which teams of 2 to 4 athletes make timed runs down narrow, twisting, banked, iced tracks in a gravity-powered sleigh. Bobsledding is comparable to F1 because it requires corporate support for those who want to compete. The bobsleds alone can cost up to $100,000, and training in the game is prohibitively expensive. There are also very few bobsled runs worldwide, so travel and lodging are important considerations. As a result, it is one of the most expensive Olympic sports.

4. Hot air balloon racing

• First played: 1906
• Players: 1 - 3 people per small hot air balloon or up to 60 people per giant balloon
• Type: Outdoor
• Main equipment: Comfortable casual clothing and strong sturdy shoe
• Venue: Balloon Fiesta field

The first hot air balloon ride was in 1783, while the first long-distance international balloon race was in 1906. Most hot air balloons carry only one pilot and two passengers. Based on the balloon and basket size, some models and configurations can carry larger groups, ranging from 4 to 60 people. Hot air balloon racing is not cheap to fly. People spend a lot of money on training and becoming a pro racer. Aside from the cost of training, the hot air balloon might cost $16,720. So, prepare to invest considerably more if you want the best features and a better chance of being competitive.

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3. Golf

• First played: 15th century, Kingdom of Scotland
• Players: 1 - 4 people playing the round
• Type: Outdoor
• Main equipment: Ball, clubs, and tee
• Venue: Golf course

Golf is a popular recreational space known for being expensive. Whether you want to play professionally or for fun, membership fees at prominent country clubs can cost thousands. Also, consider golf equipment and caddy fees. For example, a membership at Wentworth can cost you at least $120,000, if not more. It is one of the most expensive sports leagues.

2. Equestrian

• First played: 682 BC at the 25th Olympiad in Greece
• Players: 12 horses and racers per game (maximum)
• Type: Outdoor
• Main equipment: Jodhpurs, breeches, riding hats or equestrian helmets, boots
• Venue: Horse racing course

Equestrian dates back to 682 BC with a four-horse chariot race during the 25th Olympiad in Greece. The sport focuses on the ability to ride, drive, steeplechase, or vault with horses. Riding a horse is something that many children wish to do. Equestrian sports, on the other hand, are only available to a select few. The expenditures of training and keeping a horse for events in equestrian can be exorbitant, including traveling to tournaments and adequately stabling the animal. Exhibiting a horse on the international circuit might cost more than $200,000 annually.

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1. Big-game hunting

• First played: 16th century
• Players: Various
• Type: Outdoor
• Main equipment: Weapons and personal items like clothes, cameras, binoculars, water bottles, etc.
• Venue: Game parks and reserves

Big-game hunting is a game for the rich. For instance, eight days of Safari big-game hunting in South Africa costs between $4000 and $7,000, excluding additional costs you should consider. You may pay more depending on the animal you want to hunt and the type of trophy you wish to compete for. For example, trophy fees as a standalone Cape Buffalo hunt are between $11000 and $13000, and the daily rates vary between $250 and $500.

Big game hunting was a practice left virtually unchecked for centuries before it became a sport in Africa in the 16th century. The game is legal in countries like Tanzania, Zambia, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa and illegal in countries like Kenya.

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Which are the most expensive sports events in the world?

The Super Bowl spends about $5 million on a 30-second commercial, the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar costs around $200 billion, the upcoming 2024 Summer and Winter Olympics in Paris will cost around $15.4 billion, the UEFA Champions League Final costs approximately $3.1 billion, and Wimbledon costs about $50-55. million.

Which sport is the most expensive?

Some of the world's most expensive sports are big-game hunting, Formula One, bobsledding, sailing, polo, skydiving and parachuting, equestrian, skydiving, hot-air balloon racing, and scuba diving.

What is the #1 sport in the world?

Soccer or football is the most famous sport in Europe, Africa, Asia, and America.

Which sport has the most expensive equipment?

Formula One, bobsledding, sailing, polo, sky diving and parachuting, equestrian, skydiving, hot air balloon racing, and scuba diving are among the many sports with expensive equipment.

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Which are the most expensive sports equipment?

Some of the world's most expensive sports equipment are:

• Garia gold cart - $17,000
• Stiga table tennis - $20,000
• Burtin Black Widow prototype snowboards - $31,300
• Ambrosi Abriana gold bag - $62,000
• Honma golf clubs - $75,000

What is the cheapest sport?

Soccer, netball, volleyball, cross-country, track and field, swimming, baseball or softball, basketball, yoga, hiking, cycling, and skateboarding are played by many worldwide because their equipment is affordable.

Is horse riding the most expensive sport?

Exhibiting a horse on the international circuit can cost $200,000 a year. Equipment prices and fees for horse training, riding lessons, and competition fees make horseback riding one of the world's most expensive sports for kids and adults.

Is F1 the most expensive sport?

FI is among the world's most expensive sports. The smallest teams near the rear of the field have vehicles worth around $2 million.

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What are the most expensive sports in America?

The average cost for Formula 1 racing is $12 million yearly, while sailing in America's Cup costs $100 million for a four-year cycle. Meanwhile, the payroll in Major League Baseball averaged around $4.1 million per player in 2019.

The most expensive sports in the world require the most delicate and special equipment. Perfect examples are Formula One, skydiving, and scuba diving. Since not many can afford to buy or hire the equipment, the games are left to the rich.

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