The 14 Most Expensive Sports In The World (Update: Sep 2023)

Sports have a vital role in our lives. Sports help to keep us healthy and fit. It also helps to refresh our minds and to maintain a healthy and positive lifestyle. It is an activity that keeps us active and helps in alerting our senses, keeping us aware and having an undaunting personality and outlook on life.

We all love to play various sports like Cricket, Badminton, Tennis, Football, etc. In research, it was proved that people who are in daily practice sports have better mental as well as physical health. The players also have more immunity power and stamina as compared to other people.

The List of The Expensive Sports In The World

There are many different types of sports activities, which require some money. To become a good basketball player, you need the best shoes for fast running and a basketball can be bought for you as well as some good shoes. Some sports are expensive while some are less expensive.

Sports also improve some personality like teamwork, sacrifice and perseverance. Everyone can participate in various sports and can become a part of them, irrespective of religion, caste, gender, or upbringing.

Some sports are really expensive and it is almost impossible to pursue certain sports. So, In this article, we will know more about the Top 14 expensive sports in the world.

14. Fencing

Fencing is one of the costliest games in the world. This game is a combat sport that features sword fighting. Three disciplines of modern fencing include the foil, the epee, and the saber. In the year 1904, a fourth discipline was also added to the Olympic Games which is known as singlestick. After that, it was dropped and now it is not a part of modern fencing. Competitive fencing was one of the first sports in the Olympics along with athletics, cycling, swimming, and gymnastics. This sport is governed by the Federation Internationale d’Escrime (FIE), whose headquarters is in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The Fédération Internationale d’Escrime has 155 national federations, each of which is recognized by its state Olympic Committee. The FIE also follows the rules used by major international events which include the World Cup, the World Cup championship, and the Olympic games. So, fencing is considered as one of the most famous and expensive games in the world.

13. Cricket

Cricket is one of the most famous and expensive sports in the world. Cricket was invented by the English and was only played by those who could afford the equipment that cricket requires. Nowadays, cricket has become one of the most popular games in the world. Cricket is played in the majority of countries and people have a craze to enjoy the match in the stadium. It is a game which is played between two teams of eleven players from each team on a field. Australia is considered one of the most successful teams and has won seven One Day International trophies, including five World Cups.

Nowadays, women also started playing cricket which is organized and played separately and has also achieved international standards. The governing body of cricket is the International Cricket Council (ICC) which has over 100 members, twelve of which are full members who play Test matches.

12. Tennis

Tennis is one of the most popular sports and almost everybody is aware of this game. It is included in the best luxury sports in the world. But it takes huge money to become a part of this game. You need money to buy tennis equipment such as racquets, shoes, balls, strings, and tennis court fees.

This combinedly makes it an expensive sport. People with low financial resources struggle to keep up consistently. So, tennis is a dream for people with financial crises. Tennis is considered among the most expensive sports.

11. Golf

Golf was played for the first time in Scotland and now it is a popular and expensive sport across the world. In this sport, players use various clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a course in as few strokes as possible. Golf is well-known as one of the most expensive sports in the world.

The membership fees at prominent country clubs can cost thousands. Aside from the golf equipment, the membership fees will cost around $120,000. Whether you play it professionally or leisurely, you must have to deposit the membership fees. Golf is a single-player competition and many people have dreamed of playing it.

You also have to buy the golf equipment and also require the caddy fee. You need various equipment for playing golf including golf balls, golf tees, golf clubs, golf bags, divot tools, ball markers, etc.

10. Wingsuits

In this sport, you have to fly through the air with the help of a special jumpsuit called a wingsuit. The wingsuit cost around $2,500, which is not cheap. Wingsuit is an expensive sport and needs an expensive investment as compared to other sports. It is similar to skydiving with a special kit called a wingsuit.

The price of the wingsuit and other safety equipment is very expensive. You also cannot choose a cheap material of equipment and wingsuit as this sport has a life risk. Due to its costly wingsuit and other equipment, the wingsuit is considered among the most expensive sports in the world.

9. Bobsledding

Bobsledding is played during the winter and is also considered one of the most expensive sports in the world. The equipment of bobsledding is very costly and also needs a trainer for good practice.

The equipment includes a High-tech sleigh and a quality helmet. This sport is similar to moto racing and also needs sponsorship. The total cost of the sport will come to around $100,000. So, you need a huge amount of money to buy the equipment and to practice it.

8. Sailing

Without a boat, you cannot go sailing. The sailing boats are not cheap, that’s why it is listed as the most expensive sport in the world. If you have your boat and you are rich enough, then sailing is not expensive for you. It is hard for an individual, who doesn’t have a boat.

Buying a boat needs a huge investment and many people cannot afford this. So, it is the dream sport for many peoples. If you don’t have your boat, then forget to play this sport. A boat will cost around $26,815, which is not a small amount. You also have to think about the maintenance, fuel and crew, insurance, and tournament appearance fee. This combinedly requires a huge ton of money.

7. Pentathlon

Pentathlon is a five-event sport. The pentathlon name is derived from the Greek word “Pente” which means five and “Athlon” which means competition. Pentathlon includes five events such as: running, shooting, fencing, swimming and show jumping. As every activity is different from the others.

So you need four distinct trainers and to purchase different gear for each game. Due to this reason, Pentathlon is considered one of the most expensive sports.

6. Whitianga Festival of Sports

The Whitianga festival of sport is an annual event of sport which is held in New Zealand. It is the most costly sport in the world. Many people are still not aware of this sport and some people have never heard about it. It involves helicopter racing, vehicle racing, powerboat racing, jet skis and parachute swooping.

Due to the hefty equipment, it is the most expensive sport in the world. Buying and maintaining these jet skis, vehicles and helicopters is not a small thing. It requires a ton of money to buy all this equipment. A flight of a helicopter from the sky sounds good but requires a huge amount of money. Every sport of this festival needs billions of funds to invest in its organization and operation.

5. Ski Jumping

Ski Jumping is also included in the Top 14 expensive sports list. The annual cost of this sport includes the equipment used in the Ski Jumping, a trainer and a Ski Jumping slope. This sport is a winter Olympics sport and people enjoy watching it.

In this sport, competitors aim to achieve the farthest jump after sliding down on their skis from a specially designed curved ramp. Ski jumping requires a jumping ramp, a take-off table, and a landing hill. This expensive sport costs up to $3000, which is minimal compared to a skeleton or bobsleigh.

4. Polo

Polo is considered a luxurious sport, with high costs associated with maintaining horses, and professional players. It is a team sport played on horseback and field upkeep. and it is often referred to as “The Sport of Kings” due to its historical association with aristocracy and royalty. The game’s objective is to score goals by hitting a small ball with a long-handled mallet into the opposing team’s goal.

Polo is played at various levels, ranging from amateur and club competitions to international tournaments. Some of the most famous polo events include the British Open Polo Championship, the US Open Polo Championship, and the Argentine Open, which is considered the most prestigious tournament in the world.

The Top 3 Expensive Sports are below

3. Hot Air Balloon Racing

Hot air balloon racing is one of the most attractive sports. It is the activity of flying hot air balloons. Those who want to participate in this sport have to spend a lot of money on training or becoming a pro at racing these hot air balloons. Excluding the cost of training, the actual hot air balloon might cost around $16,720.

So, you have to invest more if you want the best features and a better chance of being competitive. Hot air balloon racing is considered one of the highly luxurious sports. The race is very interesting and enjoyable to watch. But it also required a huge amount of money to play.

2. Formula 1

Formula 1 is also considered one of the most costly sports. You all have been aware of the popular  F1 racer car. To become a formula one racer, one must have his car. The cost of a single wheel of formula car costs more than a regular civilian car.

To enter the Formula one race, you need 190,000 dollars. Formula 1 requires a minimum investment of One million dollars. So, if you want to participate in a Formula one race then you’ll need a ton of money. The cost varies depending on the model of the automobile produced.

1. Equestrian

Equestrians is one of the most expensive sports in the world. This sport includes running, steeplechasing, and vaulting while riding a horse. Equestrian requires the use of horses for practical working purposes, transportation, recreational activities, artistic or cultural exercise, and competitive sport.

It is like many animal lovers who love to make a bond with a powerful animal like a horse. Training, Maintaining and taking care of a horse can cost a pretty penny. So, this sport is really hard to afford. It is very tough for travelling the horse to events and stabling them properly. It will cost around $200,000 every year.

Conclusion of the Top Expensive Sports In The World

It is on the list of the Top 14 most expensive sports in the world. This article will be very helpful for those who want to know about expensive sports. We gave every small detail on the expensive sport with their cost and price. I hope you liked the article.

Topic Summary

Here is a quick list of the Top 14 Expensive Sports In The World.

1. Equestrian
2. Formula 1
3. Hot Air Balloon Racing
4. Polo
5. Ski Jumping
6. Whitianga Festival of Sports
7. Pentathlon
8. Sailing
9. Bobsledding
10. Wingsuits
11. Golf
12. Tennis
13. Cricket
14. Fencing

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