How to Build Winning Youth Sports Sponsorship Packages

Sponsorships are a game-changer for youth sports organizations. Whether you're running a local hockey league, soccer club, or multi-sport association, attracting community sponsors can provide the funding needed to enhance programs, reduce player costs, and deliver an unforgettable experience for everyone involved.

But here's the catch: businesses won’t sponsor your team just because you ask — they need to see value in the partnership. That’s where a well-crafted sponsorship package comes into play.

In this blog, we’ll show you how to build sponsorship packages that not only bring in money but also strengthen ties with your local community. Whether you’re a seasoned league or team manager or a first-time volunteer, these strategies will help you hit your sponsorship goals this season — and TeamLinkt can help you make it all happen.

Overview:

What is a Youth Sport Sponsorship Package?
Why Sponsorships Matter in Youth Sports
Key Elements of an Effective Youth Sports Sponsorship Package
Where to Share Your Youth Sports Sponsorship Packages
How Youth Sports Teams Should Approach Local Sponsors
How Youth Sports Teams Should Approach Local Sponsors
Common Mistakes Youth Sports Teams Should Avoid

Sponsorships are a game-changer for youth sports organizations. Whether you're running a local hockey league, soccer club, or multi-sport association, attracting community sponsors can provide the funding needed to enhance programs, reduce player costs, and deliver an unforgettable experience for everyone involved.

But here's the catch: businesses won’t sponsor your team just because you ask — they need to see value in the partnership. That’s where a well-crafted sponsorship package comes into play.

In this blog, we’ll show you how to build sponsorship packages that not only bring in money but also strengthen ties with your local community. Whether you’re a seasoned league or team manager or a first-time volunteer, these strategies will help you hit your sponsorship goals this season — and TeamLinkt can help you make it all happen.

Overview:

What is a Youth Sport Sponsorship Package?
Why Sponsorships Matter in Youth Sports
Key Elements of an Effective Youth Sports Sponsorship Package
Where to Share Your Youth Sports Sponsorship Packages
How Youth Sports Teams Should Approach Local Sponsors
How Youth Sports Teams Should Approach Local Sponsors
Common Mistakes Youth Sports Teams Should Avoid

What is a Youth Sport Sponsorship Package?

A youth sports sponsorship package is a structured offering that outlines what your youth sports organization is asking for — and what the sponsor receives in return. Typically, these packages are tiered (e.g., Bronze, Silver, Gold) to give businesses flexible options for support based on their budget and goals.

When done well, these packages communicate value, increase your chances of securing support, and help build trust with potential sponsors.

What is a Youth Sport Sponsorship Package?

A youth sports sponsorship package is a structured offering that outlines what your youth sports organization is asking for — and what the sponsor receives in return. Typically, these packages are tiered (e.g., Bronze, Silver, Gold) to give businesses flexible options for support based on their budget and goals.

When done well, these packages communicate value, increase your chances of securing support, and help build trust with potential sponsors.

Why Sponsorships Matter in Youth Sports

Making Sports More Affordable for Families

For many families, the price of participation in youth sports is becoming a barrier. This is a sad reality, but it is something that sponsorship dollars can help with and can directly influence the opportunities that young children will have accessing youth sports. What’s gotten more expensive? Everything - here’s a list of things that sponsor dollars help with:

Costs for uniforms
Facility Rentals
Travel and Tournaments
Coaching and Training
League and Insurance Fees

According to the Aspen Institute’s Project Play, the average annual cost per sport per kid is over $800, with sports like Hockey far exceeding that (ranging from $2,000-$3,000 per child).

Creating a Professional Look and Feel

Sponsorship dollars can go toward improving the quality of jerseys, banners, websites, and league communications, giving your organization a more polished, professional image that attracts even more players, volunteers, and sponsors.

Oftentimes, a sponsor logo or participation also carries with it a feel, emotion, and brand. Many company brands look great on a jersey or on team gear, but some just don’t make sense or match up - here’s a list of the worst jersey sponsors in history.

Building Long-Term Community Partnerships

Local businesses are looking for ways to give back to their communities.

Sponsorships offer them an authentic way to support the community while receiving real exposure in return. It’s a win-win that can turn one-time donors into long-term partners. The best thing you can do as a team or league is to share the impact of your sponsorship dollars through videos, social media posts, pictures, etc.

Why Sponsorships Matter in Youth Sports

Making Sports More Affordable for Families

For many families, the price of participation in youth sports is becoming a barrier. This is a sad reality, but it is something that sponsorship dollars can help with and can directly influence the opportunities that young children will have accessing youth sports. What’s gotten more expensive? Everything - here’s a list of things that sponsor dollars help with:

Costs for uniforms
Facility Rentals
Travel and Tournaments
Coaching and Training
League and Insurance Fees

According to the Aspen Institute’s Project Play, the average annual cost per sport per kid is over $800, with sports like Hockey far exceeding that (ranging from $2,000-$3,000 per child).

Creating a Professional Look and Feel

Sponsorship dollars can go toward improving the quality of jerseys, banners, websites, and league communications, giving your organization a more polished, professional image that attracts even more players, volunteers, and sponsors.

Oftentimes, a sponsor logo or participation also carries with it a feel, emotion, and brand. Many company brands look great on a jersey or on team gear, but some just don’t make sense or match up - here’s a list of the worst jersey sponsors in history.

Building Long-Term Community Partnerships

Local businesses are looking for ways to give back to their communities.

Sponsorships offer them an authentic way to support the community while receiving real exposure in return. It’s a win-win that can turn one-time donors into long-term partners. The best thing you can do as a team or league is to share the impact of your sponsorship dollars through videos, social media posts, pictures, etc.

Key Elements to Include in an Effective Youth Sports Sponsorship Package

Several things can be included in an effective youth sports sponsorship package, but to make it easy, we’ve included the most important elements below. The main point is to make it super simple for the potential sponsors to understand how (and how much it is) to get involved.

1. A Clear Introduction

Start with a brief overview of your league, who you serve, and your mission. Keep it personal and community-driven. You want to make potential sponsors feel connected to your purpose.

Example:
“The Lakewood Soccer Club supports over 300 kids aged 5–16 each season. With your help, we can continue to make soccer accessible, safe, and fun for youth in our community.”

2. Tiered Sponsorship Levels

Create multiple levels of sponsorship to accommodate different business sizes and budgets. Each tier should offer increasing value and visibility.

Sample Structure:

🥇 Gold Sponsor – $1,500+

Logo on all team jerseys
Website homepage logo and link
Featured post on social media (5x per season)
A banner is displayed at every home game
Mention in all league-wide email newsletters
Table sponsor at end-of-season event

🥈 Silver Sponsor – $750

Logo on a single team’s jersey
Website sponsor page listing
Social media mention (3x per season)
Banner at select events (tournaments, fundraisers, etc.)
Shout-out at the end-of-season event

🥉 Bronze Sponsor – $300

Name/logo listed on the team website
Group thank-you in social media post (1x per season)

Pro Tip: Wanting to sell ad space on your website? A TeamLinkt website is free to generate for sports teams and leagues. It’s easy to dedicate space on your homepage or other subpages to your sponsors.

3. Value-Driven Descriptions

Frame each benefit from the sponsor’s perspective. Instead of saying "Logo on jerseys," say "Your brand displayed on jerseys worn by 100+ players and seen by hundreds of spectators each weekend."

You could go as far as trying to calculate the potential reach. Something like, “Your brand will be visible on 100+ jerseys, at 450+ league games, 100+ out-of-town tournament games, and at all 2,000+ practices. The average attendance across all of our events is (X), and with (X) total events this season, we estimate that thousands of eyeballs will be on your brand this upcoming season.”

4. A Call to Action

End your sponsorship package with simple, clear next steps. Include:

A contact person
Email/phone
Deadline for commitment
Link to register or pay (request a Venmo or eTransfer payment)

Key Elements to Include in an Effective Youth Sports Sponsorship Package

Several things can be included in an effective youth sports sponsorship package, but to make it easy, we’ve included the most important elements below. The main point is to make it super simple for the potential sponsors to understand how (and how much it is) to get involved.

1. A Clear Introduction

Start with a brief overview of your league, who you serve, and your mission. Keep it personal and community-driven. You want to make potential sponsors feel connected to your purpose.

Example:
“The Lakewood Soccer Club supports over 300 kids aged 5–16 each season. With your help, we can continue to make soccer accessible, safe, and fun for youth in our community.”

2. Tiered Sponsorship Levels

Create multiple levels of sponsorship to accommodate different business sizes and budgets. Each tier should offer increasing value and visibility.

Sample Structure:

🥇 Gold Sponsor – $1,500+

Logo on all team jerseys
Website homepage logo and link
Featured post on social media (5x per season)
A banner is displayed at every home game
Mention in all league-wide email newsletters
Table sponsor at end-of-season event

🥈 Silver Sponsor – $750

Logo on a single team’s jersey
Website sponsor page listing
Social media mention (3x per season)
Banner at select events (tournaments, fundraisers, etc.)
Shout-out at the end-of-season event

🥉 Bronze Sponsor – $300

Name/logo listed on the team website
Group thank-you in social media post (1x per season)

Pro Tip: Wanting to sell ad space on your website? A TeamLinkt website is free to generate for sports teams and leagues. It’s easy to dedicate space on your homepage or other subpages to your sponsors.

3. Value-Driven Descriptions

Frame each benefit from the sponsor’s perspective. Instead of saying "Logo on jerseys," say "Your brand displayed on jerseys worn by 100+ players and seen by hundreds of spectators each weekend."

You could go as far as trying to calculate the potential reach. Something like, “Your brand will be visible on 100+ jerseys, at 450+ league games, 100+ out-of-town tournament games, and at all 2,000+ practices. The average attendance across all of our events is (X), and with (X) total events this season, we estimate that thousands of eyeballs will be on your brand this upcoming season.”

4. A Call to Action

End your sponsorship package with simple, clear next steps. Include:

A contact person
Email/phone
Deadline for commitment
Link to register or pay (request a Venmo or eTransfer payment)

What Type of File Should I Save My Sponsorship Package As?

PDF. It works best both digitally and in print form!

Saving as a PDF will preserve the quality of the document for print and allow you to include important information as links when sharing the document digitally (via email, text, social media, etc.) Remember, you don’t need to hire a design agency to prepare your youth sports sponsorship package. Tools like Canva have free proposal templates, or you can export Google Docs and Microsoft Word Documents as PDFs.

What Type of File Should I Save My Sponsorship Package As?

PDF. It works best both digitally and in print form!

Saving as a PDF will preserve the quality of the document for print and allow you to include important information as links when sharing the document digitally (via email, text, social media, etc.) Remember, you don’t need to hire a design agency to prepare your youth sports sponsorship package. Tools like Canva have free proposal templates, or you can export Google Docs and Microsoft Word Documents as PDFs.

Where to Make Your Pitch

Now that you've built a compelling offer, it’s time to get it in front of the right people.

There are a variety of useful tactics for getting your package in front of the right audience, but it’s important to have a balanced mix of digital and in-person solicitation. Why? People respond differently to each; some people prefer the message face-to-face, and others prefer to communicate with you via email or via digital interactions.

Share it In-Person

Community Events: Ask for sponsorship at local events where businesses are participating. Think of galas or other community events where sponsors might already be in attendance.
Ask Around: Ask team coaches or board members to distribute to their networks; you’d be surprised at how well connected your own team/league network is.
Doorknocking: Show up at local businesses that have a storefront and ask for the owner/manager’s time to share your vision of sponsorship and different sponsorship packages.

Share it Digitally

Email: Attach your sponsorship PDF to outreach emails, locate emails from community-based businesses on their website and send them your request.
Social Media Pages: Share on your organization’s social media and tag local businesses, it can be an easier way to grab their attention when you don’t have contact information present.
Website: Use TeamLinkt’s free website builder to create a dedicated sponsor page, the sponsor page could showcase your existing sponsors and have a button or form for new sponsors to participate.
SMS/Text Messaging: If you have a list of mobile numbers, text and ask for consideration. You can also share PDF files in most all messaging applications now, including iMessage and WhatsApp.

Where to Make Your Pitch

Now that you've built a compelling offer, it’s time to get it in front of the right people.

There are a variety of useful tactics for getting your package in front of the right audience, but it’s important to have a balanced mix of digital and in-person solicitation. Why? People respond differently to each; some people prefer the message face-to-face, and others prefer to communicate with you via email or via digital interactions.

Share it In-Person

Community Events: Ask for sponsorship at local events where businesses are participating. Think of galas or other community events where sponsors might already be in attendance.
Ask Around: Ask team coaches or board members to distribute to their networks; you’d be surprised at how well connected your own team/league network is.
Doorknocking: Show up at local businesses that have a storefront and ask for the owner/manager’s time to share your vision of sponsorship and different sponsorship packages.

Share it Digitally

Email: Attach your sponsorship PDF to outreach emails, locate emails from community-based businesses on their website and send them your request.
Social Media Pages: Share on your organization’s social media and tag local businesses, it can be an easier way to grab their attention when you don’t have contact information present.
Website: Use TeamLinkt’s free website builder to create a dedicated sponsor page, the sponsor page could showcase your existing sponsors and have a button or form for new sponsors to participate.
SMS/Text Messaging: If you have a list of mobile numbers, text and ask for consideration. You can also share PDF files in most all messaging applications now, including iMessage and WhatsApp.

How to Approach Businesses Professionally and Respectfully

Even with a great package, it’s important to approach sponsorship conversations thoughtfully. You’re asking for an organization’s attention, time, and money - offer them the same courtesy with your outreach. Think about the message you want to get across, make it personal, connect it to their mission or vision, and try to draw on emotion. You want your potential sponsors to feel connected to your team or league, and understand clearly what type of impact their sponsorship dollars will have.

Personalize the Pitch

Avoid sending a generic email blast. Whenever possible, tailor your message to the business. Mention why you think your audience aligns with their brand and how their support will make a direct impact.

Example:
“We noticed [Company.Name] has been active in community events — we’d love to partner with you to support youth hockey this season. Our teams reach over 400 families, many of whom live and shop in your area.”

Follow Up Professionally

Send a follow-up email if you don’t hear back after a week. Reiterate your appreciation for their consideration, and offer to meet or chat over the phone to answer questions.

Example:
“We’re still looking for great sponsors like [Company.Name] to support our youth hockey team this season. I realize that I might not be able to get the value across via email, so if you prefer a short phone call, I’d love to explain the impact that your sponsorship dollars have on our youth athletes' entire hockey experience.”

Don’t Overdo It

If someone doesn’t respond after numerous calls and emails, move on. If a sponsor says no, thank them for their consideration and ensure you are removing them from your outreach list.

Example:
“We have not heard back from [Company.Name] on supporting our youth hockey team this season. No worries - we understand that you’re busy running your business and we won’t bother you any further this season.

Thank you for your consideration and your contirbutions to the community of [City/Neighborhood]! We hope that there will be an opportunity to partner with [Company.Name] in the future.”

How to Approach Businesses Professionally and Respectfully

Even with a great package, it’s important to approach sponsorship conversations thoughtfully. You’re asking for an organization’s attention, time, and money - offer them the same courtesy with your outreach. Think about the message you want to get across, make it personal, connect it to their mission or vision, and try to draw on emotion. You want your potential sponsors to feel connected to your team or league, and understand clearly what type of impact their sponsorship dollars will have.

Personalize the Pitch

Avoid sending a generic email blast. Whenever possible, tailor your message to the business. Mention why you think your audience aligns with their brand and how their support will make a direct impact.

Example:
“We noticed [Company.Name] has been active in community events — we’d love to partner with you to support youth hockey this season. Our teams reach over 400 families, many of whom live and shop in your area.”

Follow Up Professionally

Send a follow-up email if you don’t hear back after a week. Reiterate your appreciation for their consideration, and offer to meet or chat over the phone to answer questions.

Example:
“We’re still looking for great sponsors like [Company.Name] to support our youth hockey team this season. I realize that I might not be able to get the value across via email, so if you prefer a short phone call, I’d love to explain the impact that your sponsorship dollars have on our youth athletes' entire hockey experience.”

Don’t Overdo It

If someone doesn’t respond after numerous calls and emails, move on. If a sponsor says no, thank them for their consideration and ensure you are removing them from your outreach list.

Example:
“We have not heard back from [Company.Name] on supporting our youth hockey team this season. No worries - we understand that you’re busy running your business and we won’t bother you any further this season.

Thank you for your consideration and your contirbutions to the community of [City/Neighborhood]! We hope that there will be an opportunity to partner with [Company.Name] in the future.”

How Youth Sports Teams Show Value to Sponsors

Getting a sponsor is great — keeping them year after year is even better. Here’s how to make sure they see value in your partnership:

Deliver What You Promised

Make sure logos are added on time, banners are displayed properly, and social media shoutouts go out as agreed upon. Set reminders and use checklists if needed. The worst thing you can do is not own up to your word! Be sure that you are logging key deliverables in your calendar to ensure your dates line up with your packages or offerings.

Go Above and Beyond

It’s one thing to offer brand exposure to a business, and another thing to really showcase the impact of a local business’s sponsorship. The best way to ensure sponsors come back time and time again is to share the real-world impact of their contributions. Here are some of our top examples:

Send thank-you cards signed by the team
Post photos featuring their logo or banner in action
Offer exclusive access to league events or recognition ceremonies
Tag them in social media stories and posts to boost engagement
Feature a specific story or impact on a select player, coach, or participant who benefited

Share the “ROI”

Return on investment is important, and sometimes it CAN be quantifiable. In many cases, most sponsors will find it perfectly acceptable to just hear about the impact of their dollars. But, there are instances where your organization can provide extra details to help their organization assign value to this sponsorship and potentially include it in their marketing budget for the next season. Here’s how:

Highlight the total number of participants and families reached
Report on the total social media impressions or engagement
Build 1-2 case studies, which can be as simple as testimonials from families or players that the brand can use on their website, social media, etc. to showcase their community impact.

How Youth Sports Teams Show Value to Sponsors

Getting a sponsor is great — keeping them year after year is even better. Here’s how to make sure they see value in your partnership:

Deliver What You Promised

Make sure logos are added on time, banners are displayed properly, and social media shoutouts go out as agreed upon. Set reminders and use checklists if needed. The worst thing you can do is not own up to your word! Be sure that you are logging key deliverables in your calendar to ensure your dates line up with your packages or offerings.

Go Above and Beyond

It’s one thing to offer brand exposure to a business, and another thing to really showcase the impact of a local business’s sponsorship. The best way to ensure sponsors come back time and time again is to share the real-world impact of their contributions. Here are some of our top examples:

Send thank-you cards signed by the team
Post photos featuring their logo or banner in action
Offer exclusive access to league events or recognition ceremonies
Tag them in social media stories and posts to boost engagement
Feature a specific story or impact on a select player, coach, or participant who benefited

Share the “ROI”

Return on investment is important, and sometimes it CAN be quantifiable. In many cases, most sponsors will find it perfectly acceptable to just hear about the impact of their dollars. But, there are instances where your organization can provide extra details to help their organization assign value to this sponsorship and potentially include it in their marketing budget for the next season. Here’s how:

Highlight the total number of participants and families reached
Report on the total social media impressions or engagement
Build 1-2 case studies, which can be as simple as testimonials from families or players that the brand can use on their website, social media, etc. to showcase their community impact.

Common Mistakes Youth Sports Teams Should Avoid

Overloading the Package: Too many tiers or benefits can confuse potential sponsors. Keep it simple and strategic! A good idea is to highlight “Most Popular” in your list so that the potential sponsor sees what other organizations are doing.

Underpricing Your Offerings: Don’t sell yourself short. If your teams reach hundreds of families each week, that visibility has real value. Many organizations often price their sponsorship too low, asking for only $100-200 in sponsorship when their social media visibility alone is worth thousands of dollars more. It’s important to have an understanding of how much your audience is worth!

Failing to Follow Up: Many leagues send out a package and never follow up. A quick call or second email can make all the difference. Remember, you don’t want to send too many emails, but just sending one email might mean the prospect missed your message! How do I know what is too many? Put yourself in their shoes, you probably wouldn’t want to be asked more than 5 times.

Forgetting to Say Thank You: A handwritten note or social post at the end of the season goes a long way in showing appreciation. Always circle back at the end of the season to share your appreciation!

Common Mistakes Youth Sports Teams Should Avoid

Overloading the Package: Too many tiers or benefits can confuse potential sponsors. Keep it simple and strategic! A good idea is to highlight “Most Popular” in your list so that the potential sponsor sees what other organizations are doing.

Underpricing Your Offerings: Don’t sell yourself short. If your teams reach hundreds of families each week, that visibility has real value. Many organizations often price their sponsorship too low, asking for only $100-200 in sponsorship when their social media visibility alone is worth thousands of dollars more. It’s important to have an understanding of how much your audience is worth!

Failing to Follow Up: Many leagues send out a package and never follow up. A quick call or second email can make all the difference. Remember, you don’t want to send too many emails, but just sending one email might mean the prospect missed your message! How do I know what is too many? Put yourself in their shoes, you probably wouldn’t want to be asked more than 5 times.

Forgetting to Say Thank You: A handwritten note or social post at the end of the season goes a long way in showing appreciation. Always circle back at the end of the season to share your appreciation!

Final Thoughts: Sponsorships as a Long-Term Strategy

Sponsorships aren’t just a one-time fundraising tactic — they’re a relationship-building tool that can grow your organization for years to come. With the right package, a thoughtful approach, and the help of tools like TeamLinkt, your league or team can secure meaningful partnerships that keep your program thriving.

So take the time to build your sponsorship strategy, reach out confidently, and deliver on your promises. You’ll not only raise funds — you’ll build a stronger, more connected community.

Final Thoughts: Sponsorships as a Long-Term Strategy

Sponsorships aren’t just a one-time fundraising tactic — they’re a relationship-building tool that can grow your organization for years to come. With the right package, a thoughtful approach, and the help of tools like TeamLinkt, your league or team can secure meaningful partnerships that keep your program thriving.

So take the time to build your sponsorship strategy, reach out confidently, and deliver on your promises. You’ll not only raise funds — you’ll build a stronger, more connected community.