30 Business Ideas for High School Students Who Love Sports
Why Work on a Business Idea in High School?
Starting a business in high school can help you gain skills and experiences that set you apart in college and beyond. Launching a startup helps you develop leadership, creativity, and problem-solving skills in a practical context. By launching a sports-related startup, you’ll learn how to identify needs in the sports community, promote products or services, and manage logistics. Plus, creating a sports business allows you to build a portfolio that demonstrates initiative, resilience, and entrepreneurial thinking.
Why Launch a Startup Now?
With the tools available today, launching a sports-related business has never been easier or more affordable. Platforms like Canva, Shopify, and Printify make it simple to design and sell sports gear, apparel, or digital products with minimal upfront costs. At the same time, social media channels such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube provide low-cost opportunities to build a brand, engage with fans, and promote your products. On top of that, youth incubators such as Young Founders Lab, startup competitions, and grants for student founders offer additional support and resources to help turn your ideas into a thriving business.
1. Custom Sports Apparel
Create personalized jerseys, t-shirts, or hoodies for local teams, school clubs, or fan groups. This idea is perfect for students with an eye for design and a love of team spirit. You can offer unique graphics, slogans, or custom numbers, and cater to events like tournaments, school spirit weeks, or sports leagues. Over time, you could expand into seasonal collections or partner with local teams for bulk orders.
Skills/tools needed: Canva, Printify, Shopify, Instagram marketing
Initial costs: Low, design software subscription and sample prints
2. Sports Equipment Rental Service
Rent out gear such as basketballs, soccer nets, or camping and hiking equipment to your community or sports clubs. This business is ideal for students who want to make sports more accessible while learning about inventory management and customer service. You can start small with basic equipment and grow into seasonal packages or memberships for frequent renters.
Skills/tools needed: Inventory management, local marketing, social media
Initial costs: Moderate, purchasing initial equipment
3. Personal Sports Coaching
Offer one-on-one or small group coaching sessions in a sport you excel at. This is a great fit for students with athletic skills and patience for teaching. You can work with younger athletes, beginners, or peers looking to improve performance, and eventually expand to clinics, online tutorials, or training programs.
Skills/tools needed: Coaching knowledge, Zoom/Google Meet (for virtual), Instagram promotion
Initial costs: Very low, basic marketing
4. Sports Photography & Videography
Capture action shots and highlight reels for local teams, tournaments, or athletes seeking content for social media or college recruitment. Perfect for students with photography or video editing skills, this business helps you build a portfolio while networking with local sports communities. Over time, you could offer live-streaming services or custom highlight reels for professional use.
Skills/tools needed: Camera equipment, Adobe Premiere/Final Cut, social media
Initial costs: Low to moderate, camera and editing software
5. Custom Fan Merchandise
Design and sell fan merchandise such as mugs, water bottles, hats, or banners for local sports teams or fan clubs. This idea suits creative students who enjoy branding and design. You can start with print-on-demand products and expand to limited edition lines, seasonal designs, or collaborations with sports organizations.
Skills/tools needed: Canva, Printify, Etsy/Shopify
Initial costs: Low, product samples and printing
6. Fantasy Sports Consulting
Help friends or local leagues draft competitive fantasy sports teams using stats, analytics, and strategy. This idea is perfect for students who enjoy sports data, statistics, and game theory. You can offer personalized advice, team analysis, or even run mini-leagues for clients, gradually building a reputation as a trusted consultant.
Skills/tools needed: Excel, stats analysis, social media for promotion
Initial costs: Minimal, marketing materials
7. Sports Nutrition Planner
Offer meal plans, snack guides, or hydration strategies tailored for athletes or teams. Ideal for students interested in nutrition, health, and sports science, you can provide guidance on pre-game meals, recovery snacks, or balanced diets for specific sports. Over time, you could expand to virtual workshops, recipe books, or partnerships with local teams.
Skills/tools needed: Canva, nutrition research, social media
Initial costs: Low, marketing and planning materials
8. Youth Sports Camp Organizer
Plan and run small sports camps or clinics for younger kids during weekends or summer. This business is perfect for students with leadership and organizational skills, as it involves scheduling, coaching, and event promotion. You can specialize in specific sports, multi-sport programs, or skills clinics, and expand to seasonal or holiday camps.
Skills/tools needed: Event planning, coaching, social media promotion
Initial costs: Moderate, venue rental, equipment, insurance
9. Athletic Performance Tracker App
Develop a simple app, spreadsheet system, or online dashboard to track workouts, stats, or progress for athletes. This idea is ideal for students interested in coding, sports analytics, or technology. You can start with basic tracking features and expand to personalized recommendations, leaderboards, or integration with wearable devices.
Skills/tools needed: Basic app development or Excel, social media marketing
Initial costs: Low, development tools
10. Sports-Themed Subscription Box
Curate monthly boxes with sports gear, fan merchandise, or wellness products aimed at athletes or enthusiasts. This idea is great for students who enjoy organizing, curating, and building a brand. You can start with a niche, such as soccer essentials or basketball fan gear, and expand to different age groups or subscription tiers over time.
Skills/tools needed: Shopify/Cratejoy, social media, and inventory management
Initial costs: Moderate, initial inventory and packaging
11. Handmade Sports Accessories
Create and sell custom wristbands, headbands, or sweatbands designed for athletes or fans. This business is ideal for students who enjoy crafting and want to add a personal touch to sports gear. You can offer custom colors, team logos, or motivational phrases to appeal to teammates, school clubs, or local leagues.
Skills/tools needed: Sewing, embroidery, Canva for designs, Etsy or Instagram
Initial costs: Low, materials and packaging
12. Online Sports Coaching Platform
Build a platform connecting certified or skilled student coaches with younger athletes seeking training. This is perfect for students who want to scale coaching beyond in-person sessions. You can offer video lessons, live Q&A, or performance tracking features.
Skills/tools needed: Website building (Shopify/Wix), Zoom/Google Meet, social media promotion
Initial costs: Low to moderate, website hosting and marketing
13. Sports-Themed YouTube Channel
Create content around sports tutorials, training tips, or commentary. This idea works well for students with video editing skills and a charismatic personality. With consistent content, you can build an audience, monetize through ads, and attract sponsorships.
Skills/tools needed: Camera, video editing software, YouTube SEO, social media
Initial costs: Low to moderate, camera or smartphone and editing software
14. Local Team Marketing Consultant
Offer marketing and promotional support for school or community sports teams, including social media campaigns, event flyers, or fan engagement strategies. This is ideal for students interested in marketing, sports management, and event promotion.
Skills/tools needed: Canva, social media management, graphic design
Initial costs: Very low, software and marketing materials
15. Custom Water Bottles & Gear
Design and sell personalized water bottles, gym bags, or sports accessories for local teams or athletes. Great for students who enjoy combining creativity with practical products. You can expand into seasonal lines, team packages, or branded merchandise for clubs.
Skills/tools needed: Canva, Printify, Shopify, Instagram marketing
Initial costs: Low, product samples, and printing
16. Sports Event Planner
Organize local tournaments, charity runs, or community leagues. This idea suits students with strong organizational and networking skills. You can start small with local schools and expand to regional events, sponsorships, or themed competitions.
Skills/tools needed: Event planning, social media marketing, local networking
Initial costs: Moderate, venue rental, permits, and marketing
17. Fitness & Training App
Develop an app offering workouts, challenges, or training plans for athletes or fitness enthusiasts. Perfect for students interested in tech, coding, or health science. You can start with a simple spreadsheet-based tracker or build a basic app, then grow to include personalized recommendations.
Skills/tools needed: Coding, Excel, Canva, social media marketing
Initial costs: Low, development tools and hosting
18. Team Spirit Merchandise
Create merchandise like custom banners, foam fingers, or fan apparel for school sports teams and local leagues. This startup works well for students who enjoy designing, printing, and marketing products to enthusiastic fans.
Skills/tools needed: Canva, Printify, Shopify or Etsy
Initial costs: Low, printing costs and samples
19. Sports Blog with Analytics & Reviews
Start a blog focusing on sports news, gear reviews, or performance analytics. Ideal for students who enjoy writing, researching, or analyzing stats. You can monetize through affiliate links, sponsorships, or premium content.
Skills/tools needed: WordPress, SEO, social media, fundamental stats analysis
Initial costs: Low, domain, hosting, and marketing
20. Virtual Fitness Challenges
Host virtual competitions like step challenges, push-up contests, or home workout tournaments. Great for students interested in community engagement and online business. You can offer prizes, track results digitally, and partner with local businesses for sponsorships.
Skills/tools needed: Google Forms or app platform, social media, Canva for visuals
Initial costs: Very low, marketing and platform setup
21. Personalized Athletic Journals
Create custom journals or planners designed for athletes to track workouts, progress, nutrition, and goals. This business is perfect for students who enjoy design and organization and want to combine creativity with practical tools for performance improvement. You can offer custom covers, motivational prompts, or team-branded versions for local leagues and schools.
Skills/tools needed: Canva or Adobe Illustrator, printing services, Etsy or Shopify
Initial costs: Low, printing and materials
22. Sports-Themed Subscription Box
Curate monthly boxes containing items like fan merchandise, sports gear, nutrition snacks, or motivational materials for young athletes. This idea works well for students who enjoy organizing products and building a brand. You can specialize in a particular sport or target specific age groups, and grow subscriptions through social media and local promotions.
Skills/tools needed: Shopify or Cratejoy, inventory management, social media marketing
Initial costs: Moderate, initial inventory, packaging, and shipping
23. Mobile Sports Equipment Cleaning Service
Offer a service to clean, sanitize, and maintain sports gear for athletes, teams, or local gyms. This business is ideal for students interested in hygiene, sports care, and entrepreneurship. You can start small with local clients and expand to multiple teams or seasonal contracts.
Skills/tools needed: Cleaning supplies, basic marketing, scheduling tools
Initial costs: Low to moderate, cleaning equipment and supplies
24. DIY Sports Kit Creator
Assemble and sell do-it-yourself kits for home practice in sports like basketball, soccer, or fitness drills. This startup suits students who like crafting, curation, and teaching others through practical products. You can offer skill-level-specific kits and instructional guides to attract a wide range of customers.
Skills/tools needed: Canva for instructions, packaging, and basic sports gear
Initial costs: Moderate, materials and packaging
25. Sports Memorabilia Store
Buy and sell collectible sports items like trading cards, signed merchandise, or vintage gear. This business fits students with an interest in sports history, trends, and sales. You can start online through Etsy, eBay, or social media, and eventually host local trading events or pop-up shops.
Skills/tools needed: Social media marketing, photography, and inventory management
Initial costs: Moderate, initial inventory purchase
26. Team Performance Analysis Service
Offer analytics and performance insights for local sports teams using video breakdowns or stat tracking. Ideal for students who enjoy data, stats, and video analysis. You can provide reports to coaches and players to help them improve strategies, positioning, or individual skills.
Skills/tools needed: Video editing, Excel or Google Sheets, social media marketing
Initial costs: Low, video editing software and marketing
27. Sports Event Merchandise Booth
Set up a booth at local tournaments, school games, or community events to sell snacks, gear, or fan merchandise. This idea is excellent for students with strong interpersonal skills and a sense of sales. Over time, you can expand to multiple events or create a mobile setup for traveling games.
Skills/tools needed: Event planning, social media promotion, and inventory management
Initial costs: Moderate, including initial merchandise, booth setup, and marketing
28. Virtual Workout Classes
Offer live or recorded workout classes for specific sports training or general fitness. Perfect for students who are knowledgeable athletes and want to share expertise with peers or younger audiences online. You can specialize in sport-specific drills, conditioning, or flexibility training.
Skills/tools needed: Zoom or other streaming platforms, Canva for marketing, social media
Initial costs: Very low, camera, streaming setup, and marketing
29. Custom Sports Trophies & Awards
Design and sell personalized trophies, medals, or awards for local teams, school competitions, or charity events. This business matches students with opportunities that require creativity and attention to detail. You can offer customization options like names, logos, or colors to create meaningful keepsakes.
Skills/tools needed: Design software, engraving or printing tools, Shopify or Etsy
Initial costs: Moderate, materials and packaging
30. Sports Podcast or Blog
Launch a podcast or blog covering sports news, analysis, interviews, or training tips. Ideal for students who enjoy writing, speaking, or storytelling about sports. With consistent content and strategic promotion, you can monetize through sponsorships, ads, or affiliate partnerships.
Skills/tools needed: Microphone, audio/video editing software, WordPress or podcast platforms, social media
Initial costs: Low, hosting, domain, and equipment
If you’re looking for an incubator program that helps you establish a developed startup in high school, consider the Young Founders Lab!
The Young Founders Lab is a start-up boot camp founded and run by Harvard entrepreneurs. In this program, you will work towards building a revenue-generating start-up that addresses a practical problem. You will also have the opportunity to be mentored by established entrepreneurs and professionals from Google, Microsoft, and X. You can access the application link here!
Krishnapriya, or KP, is the Head of Partnerships at the YFL and an LSE graduate. She is super passionate about the environment (especially nonhumans with 3+ limbs) and considers walking her dogs as the most important part of her day!