Travel Sports Newsletter
Buying Sports Equipment
Oct 13, 2025
Buying Sports Equipment
Hey Travelsporters!
In this newsletter, we wanted to highlight the options that you have when buying sports equipment. Whether your player plays in a high-cost equipment sport like hockey, lacrosse & football or relatively low-cost ones like swimming, basketball or soccer, finding the right equipment while not spending a lot of money can be a challenge. Check out our article below on how to save money when buying sports equipment.
We've also expanded our Top 20 list from Tournaments to include sports clubs. Check out the most popular sports clubs on Travelsports.com broken down by sport. We're also working on putting together top lists in other categories. Stay tuned!
- Team Travelsports
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Tips on Buying Sports Equipment
Saving money when buying sports equipment is important, especially if you're a casual athlete or just starting out in a new sport.
Here are some tips to help you save money on sports gear:
1. Buy Used or Secondhand Equipment: Look for used sports equipment at thrift stores or stores like Play It Again Sports, online marketplaces (e.g., SidelineSwap, eBay), Facebook Groups or at garage sales. Many people sell their gently used gear at a fraction of the cost of new items.
2. Rent or Borrow: If you're trying out a new sport or just need equipment for occasional use, consider renting or borrowing from friends, family, or local sports clubs. This is a cost-effective way to access gear without making a big investment.
3. Shop Off-Season: Retailers often discount sports equipment at the end of the season to make room for new inventory, aka last years models. For example, winter sports gear is typically on sale in the spring and summer. Plan your purchases accordingly to take advantage of these sales.
4. Look for Sales and Discounts: Keep an eye on sales, clearance sections, and discount websites. Sign up for newsletters from sports retailers to be notified of upcoming promotions and discounts.
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regarding Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL).
5. Buy Generic Brands: Generic or store-brand sports equipment is often more affordable than name-brand alternatives. While quality can vary, many generic options are suitable for casual athletes.
6. Trade or Swap with Others: Connect with fellow athletes/parents and see if you can trade or swap equipment. You might have gear that you no longer use but is valuable to someone else.
7. Wait for Special Sales Events: Major shopping holidays, like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, often feature significant discounts on sports equipment. Keep these dates in mind when planning your purchases.
8. Shop Local: Support local sports stores. Sometimes, they offer competitive prices and personalized service, and they may be willing to negotiate on prices, especially if you're a regular customer.
9. Maintain Your Equipment: Proper maintenance can extend the life of your sports gear. Regularly clean, inspect, and repair equipment to prevent the need for premature replacements.
Remember that while saving money is essential, safety and quality are also important when it comes to sports equipment. Ensure that the gear you purchase, whether new or used, meets safety standards and is appropriate for your level of skill and activity.
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Weekend Hockey Tournaments.
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Trending Sports Clubs
We love peaking inside the data to find fun and useful stats, trends or coming up with lists. For this newsletter, we created lists of sports club which are the most popular, by sport, on Travelsports. Our 1st Annual “Top 20 Most Popular Sports Clubs on Travelsports” shows you which clubs are the most popular on Travelsports.
Have fun checking them out!
Top 20 Most Popular Hockey Clubs
Top 20 Most Popular Soccer Clubs
Top 20 Most Popular Lacrosse Clubs
Top 20 Most Popular Volleyball Clubs
Top 20 Most Popular Curling Clubs
Top 20 Most Popular Basketball Clubs
Top 20 Most Popular Baseball Clubs
Top 20 Most Popular Softball Clubs
Upcoming Tournaments
Check out upcoming tournaments, by sport, on Travelsports!
Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) - Fall State Boys Soccer Tournament
CAN/AM Challenge Cup - Lake Placid, NY
Buffalo River Outdoor Classic Tournament Series
Bobcaygeon Curling Men's Four Town Bonspiel
Denver Curling Club Boomer Spiel
AVPA and p1440 Junior's Tournament
Maine Principal's Association (MPA) - Volleyball Class C High School Championship
DID YOU KNOW?
If you are participating in a non-stay-to-play tournament, have a overnight sports trip or just need a last minute hotel room near where you are playing, Travelsports has you covered with a list of hotels that cater to sports teams near you.
MARKETPLACE
We want to highlight a business that has joined Travelsports' online marketplace. Be sure to click below to check out their store on Travelsports.
Whether you're cheering on your favorite team at a rink or field, basking in the beauty of nature during a camping trip, hiking your favorite trail or enjoying apres-ski with friends, Bleacher Buddie is your new best friend. Each Bleacher Buddie is crafted with care, ensuring that it withstands the elements while providing you with the comfort you deserve. We believe that every detail matters, from the stitching to the fabric, to the velcro pocket to hold your phone or snacks - we pour our hearts into Bleacher Buddie.
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Athletic Scholarships
Sep 26, 2025
Athletic Scholarships
Hey Travelsporters!
Whether you have a high school student looking to play at the collegiate level or a youngster just starting their sports journey, the discussion of college athletic scholarships is bound to come up. We won’t try and walk you through the entire process, but over the past two decades, an entire industry has emerged, dedicated to helping your athlete land an athletic scholarship. With that said, having a realistic approach to athletics at the collegiate level is important for both you and your athlete, especially in the Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) era.
- Team Travelsports
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It’s time to plan your 2025-2026 season with CAN/AM Hockey! We are offering more tournaments, more locations, and more dates than ever before! Visit us at www.canamhockey.com
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Collegiate Athletic Scholarships
Receiving an athletic scholarship to compete at the college level is the ultimate goal for many student-athletes. However, there are plenty of misconceptions about how scholarship offers work—and how much aid student-athletes actually receive.
Every year, millions of parents pay to place their children in youth sports programs in hopes the child eventually will develop the skills needed to earn a coveted athletic scholarship that pays for college. College isn’t cheap, so understanding the details of this part of the process is important if you’re looking to lessen your college costs.
The NCAA has some sobering news for those parents: just over 1% of high school athletes (1.3%, according to statistics from the NCAA) receive full or partial athletic scholarships. And just as important, those scholarships are not guaranteed for four years.
However, if your child is among the elite in their chosen sport, there is an incredible of amount of financial aid available. Division I and Division II schools provided more than $4 billion in athletic scholarships in 2024 to just over 196,000 athletes. That averages out to $20,408 per athlete, but there are a couple of catches to that equation, the most obvious one being that not every athlete is going to get $20,408.
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regarding Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL).
While most scholarship money comes from the college itself, there are some ways for student-athletes to receive funding from private sources. Many athletic departments have endowment scholarships set up by former athletes or alumni who support a specific sport or cause.
While scholarships are the traditional way for student athletes to off-set the cost of college, the emergence of Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) at the collegiate level, allows athletes to receive financial compensation for the use of an athlete’s name, image, and likeness through marketing and promotional endeavors. This can include autograph signings, product endorsements, social media posts, and more.
What do athletic scholarships cover?
Athletic scholarships cover a portion of the costs for tuition and fees, course-related books, room, board and, sometimes, living expenses. The amount covered is dependent on whether the offer is a full or partial scholarship.
Who gives out athletic scholarships?
Athletic scholarships are offered at the NCAA D1 and D2 levels, as well as at the NAIA and NJCAA levels—combined, that’s thousands of schools.
Do D2 schools give athletic scholarships?
Yes, D2 schools give athletic scholarships. Most scholarships at the D2 level are partial scholarships. Full scholarships at D2 school are rare, but still possible.
Are full ride scholarships for all 4 years?
No, full ride athletic scholarships are typically one-year agreements between the college and the athlete, although some are multi-year.
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Upcoming Tournaments
Check out upcoming tournaments, by sport, on Travelsports!
Ghost Pirates Cup Tournament Series
Kansas City Curling Club BBQ Bonspiel
Harvest Moon Mini Club Tournament
DID YOU KNOW?
If you are participating in an out of town event (tournament, showcase, etc), we have a list of sports shops wherever you are at in case you need to buy forgotten/broken equipment or just want to spend a Saturday at the local Dick’s Sporting Goods!
MARKETPLACE
We want to highlight a business that has joined Travelsports' online marketplace. Be sure to click below to check out their store on Travelsports.
InstaRaise is the industry-leading online platform for donation and product fundraising. Our innovative, fun, and easy-to-use platform allows teams, groups, and schools to increase participation and massively increase profit. With One Company, One Platform, One Rep, and One Customer Service Contact, InstaRaise makes fundraising a smooth and easy experience.
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Interested in advertising on our newsletter or our website? Send us a note to info@travelsports.com
Trending Tournaments
Sep 11, 2025
Trending Tournaments
on Travelsports
Hey Travelsporters!
With this newsletter, we wanted to share our 2nd Tri-Annual “Top 20 Trending Tournaments on Travelsports” with you. By now, we hope you’ve had a chance to check out Forums by Travelsports. Forums lets users join conversations that matter most to them – any topic at any time. Comment on existing forums or create your own. It’s an opportunity to share experiences and insights and engage with others on an open, dedicated sports platform.
- Team Travelsports
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It’s time to plan your 2025-2026 season with CAN/AM Hockey! We are offering more tournaments, more locations, and more dates than ever before! Visit us at www.canamhockey.com
#canamhockey #GameOn #JoinUs #AreYouNext?
Trending Tournaments
We love peaking inside the data to find fun and useful stats, trends or coming up with lists. For this newsletter, we created lists of tournaments which are the most popular, by sport. Our 2nd Tri-Annual “Top 20 Trending Tournaments on Travelsports” shows you which tournaments that have occurred this year and were the most popular on Travelsports.
Have fun checking them out!
Top 20 Most Popular Hockey Tournaments
Top 20 Most Popular Soccer Tournaments
Top 20 Most Popular Lacrosse Tournaments
Top 20 Most Popular Field Hockey Tournaments
Top 20 Most Popular Volleyball Tournaments
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regarding Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL).
Top 20 Most Popular Curling Bonspiels
Top 20 Most Popular Basketball Tournaments
Top 20 Most Popular Baseball Tournaments
Top 20 Most Popular Softball Tournaments
Top 20 Most Popular Golf Tournaments
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Weekend Hockey Tournaments.
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Upcoming Tournaments
Check out upcoming tournaments, by sport, on Travelsports!
Newmarket Renegades Early Bird Start-Up
Rock 'N Roll Cup Tournament Series
DID YOU KNOW?
If you are participating in an out of town event (tournament, showcase, etc), we have a list of sports shops wherever you are at in case you need to buy forgotten/broken equipment or just want to spend a Saturday at the local Dick’s Sporting Goods!
MARKETPLACE
We want to highlight a business that has joined Travelsports' online marketplace. Be sure to click below to check out their store on Travelsports.
InstaRaise is the industry-leading online platform for donation and product fundraising. Our innovative, fun, and easy-to-use platform allows teams, groups, and schools to increase participation and massively increase profit. With One Company, One Platform, One Rep, and One Customer Service Contact, InstaRaise makes fundraising a smooth and easy experience.
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Interested in advertising on our newsletter or our website? Send us a note to info@travelsports.com
Fundraising 101
Aug 29, 2025
Fundraising for Sports
Hey Travelsporters!
For this newsletter, we’ve included some fundraising ideas focused on youth sports. We also wanted to let you know that Travelsports has partnered with InstaRaise, the leading school and sports team online fundraising platform, to help players, teams and clubs with their fundraising efforts. Whether your team is fundraising to go to a tournament, your club is fundraising for sports equipment and uniforms or you are fundraising for your player to play sports, we hope you check out InstaRaise for your youth sports fundraising needs.
- Team Travelsports
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It’s time to plan your 2025-2026 season with CAN/AM Hockey! We are offering more tournaments, more locations, and more dates than ever before! Visit us at www.canamhockey.com
#canamhockey #GameOn #JoinUs #AreYouNext?
Fundraising 101
Effective Fundraising Strategies for Youth Sports Teams
Youth sports teams are vital for fostering community spirit, teaching teamwork, and promoting healthy lifestyles among children. However, funding these programs often poses a significant challenge. Effective fundraising is essential to cover expenses such as uniforms, equipment, travel, and facility rentals. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help youth sports teams raise the necessary funds and ensure a successful season.
1. Understand Your Financial Needs
Before you start fundraising, assess your team’s financial needs. Create a detailed budget that includes all anticipated expenses. This budget will guide your fundraising goals and help you determine how much money you need to raise. Be transparent about these needs with your community to build trust and support.
2. Organize a Fundraising Committee
Form a dedicated fundraising committee composed of team parents, coaches, and other volunteers. This committee will be responsible for planning, organizing, and executing fundraising activities. Assign specific roles and responsibilities to ensure efficiency and clear communication.
3. Leverage Community Events
Community events are a great way to engage local supporters and raise funds. Here are some ideas:
Car Washes: Set up a car wash station in a high-traffic area and offer to wash cars for donations.
Bake Sales: Organize a bake sale at local events or during sports games.
Charity Runs/Walks: Host a fun run or walk where participants pay an entry fee and seek sponsorships.
4. Partner with Local Businesses
Local businesses can be valuable partners in fundraising efforts. Approach businesses for sponsorships, in-kind donations, or matching contributions. Offer to recognize their support through advertising in team programs, banners at games, or social media shout-outs.
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regarding Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL).
5. Online Fundraising
Utilize online platforms to reach a broader audience. Instaraise can help you set up a campaign for specific needs or general support. Share your campaign through social media, email newsletters, and your team’s website to maximize visibility.
6. Organize a Silent Auction
Silent auctions are effective for raising funds and engaging the community. Gather donated items or experiences from local businesses and community members, and host an auction event. Promote the auction through social media and local media to attract attendees and bidders.
7. Sell Team Merchandise
Selling team merchandise is both a way to raise funds and build team spirit. Design and sell items like T-shirts, hats, and water bottles featuring your team’s logo. Set up an online store or sell merchandise at games and events.
8. Run a Raffle
Raffles can be a quick way to raise money. Solicit donated items or experiences for raffle prizes and sell tickets to the community. Ensure the prizes are attractive to encourage higher ticket sales.
9. Offer Sponsorship Opportunities
Create sponsorship packages for businesses and individuals who wish to support the team. These packages can include benefits such as advertising space on team banners, acknowledgment in game programs, and recognition on the team’s website.
Conclusion
Fundraising for youth sports teams requires creativity, organization, and community involvement. By understanding your financial needs, leveraging local events, and utilizing various fundraising methods, you can successfully support your team and provide a positive experience for young athletes. With the right approach, your team will not only meet its financial goals but also strengthen its ties to the community and build lasting support for future seasons.
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Weekend Hockey Tournaments.
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Upcoming Tournaments
Check out upcoming tournaments, by sport, on Travelsports!
Charleston Select Shootout - Men's Weekend
Joey Lup Long Ball Against Cancer
Elite Series Turf Championships Battle At The Ship
Sacramento Play Day Winchester CC
JV Pre-Season Invitational Tournament
DID YOU KNOW?
If you are participating in an out of town event (tournament, showcase, etc), we have a list of sports shops wherever you are at in case you need to buy forgotten/broken equipment or just want to spend a Saturday at the local Dick’s Sporting Goods!
MARKETPLACE
We want to highlight a business that has joined Travelsports' online marketplace. Be sure to click below to check out their store on Travelsports.
InstaRaise is the industry-leading online platform for donation and product fundraising. Our innovative, fun, and easy-to-use platform allows teams, groups, and schools to increase participation and massively increase profit. With One Company, One Platform, One Rep, and One Customer Service Contact, InstaRaise makes fundraising a smooth and easy experience.
ADVERTISING
Interested in advertising on our newsletter or our website? Send us a note to info@travelsports.com
FALLing into Sports
Aug 13, 2025
FALLing into Sports
Hey Travelsporters!
While fall will be here sooner than we think, fall sports have already arrived!. That means you can look forward to hours of practice time, games and tournaments spent in the car or at a facility. Trust us when we say that once your kids are out of the house, you will miss those early morning practices, late night games and far away tournaments. We bet you’ll even miss the pit stops at a fast-food joint when rushing between games or stopping at sport shops when a piece of equipment “somehow” gets left at home!
As we head into the fall sport season, and the return of school, we want to wish you and your family a great and safe sport season!
- Team Travelsports
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It’s time to plan your 2025-2026 season with CAN/AM Hockey! We are offering more tournaments, more locations, and more dates than ever before! Visit us at www.canamhockey.com
#canamhockey #GameOn #JoinUs #AreYouNext?
5 Ways to Get Ready for Fall Sports
The new school year is just around the corner or has already started; kids are preparing for another year of learning, friendships, and experiences, and mothers are rejoicing everywhere! Whether it’s vocabulary tests, after school clubs, or sports, your kids are going to be kept pretty busy, and you want them to have the best and safest year possible.
The benefits of getting children physically active at a young age are numerous. According to The Aspen Institute, physically active children are 15% more likely to attend college, score up to 40% higher on tests, and are 1/10th as likely to be obese.
Whether this is their first year or their last participating in sports, every child wants to perform the best they can. Every parent wants their child to have a good time while also staying safe so they can keep playing the sports they love now and lead healthier and more successful lives later.
Here are some tips on things to help you keep your athlete safe and have a successful season.
Protective Gear - (mouth-guards, pads, shin guards, face masks, knee braces, etc.)
Getting the right gear is key to minimizing potential for injury, and also minimizing recovery time. The right equipment can help decrease the severity of injury as well. Be sure to review all the things you need to help keep your all-star safe to enjoy the game, and to stay in the game. As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This is especially true when it comes to finding and using the right protective gear.
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regarding Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL).
Equipment - gloves, bats, balls, uniform, shoes
Every athlete knows that having equipment to practice with is important to becoming the MVP. Equipment is also what helps them to connect with their team and play the sports they know and love.
Physical
Every child needs to receive a clean bill of health before participating in sports. By getting a sports physical, concerns such as activity-induced asthma, scoliosis, joint pain, heart problems, vision and hearing impairments, etc., can all be caught prior to the sports season, and preventative or aiding measures can be taken to ensure your child is still able to participate.
Concussion Baseline Test
What is a baseline test? Baseline testing is a highly specific questionnaire that is taken prior to getting injured. With this information, individuals can have data to compare to if they get injured later on. Regardless of what sport they are playing, head injuries are always a risk for any type of sport including basketball, football, wrestling, volleyball, lacrosse, soccer and more.
This test measures a few things including processing speed, current symptoms, pain levels, balance, and physical abilities.The starting of a new sport season is the perfect time to get tested.
Why is it important?
Read the rest of the article here
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Weekend Hockey Tournaments.
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Upcoming Tournaments
Check out upcoming tournaments, by sport, on Travelsports!
Labor Day Battle at the Shipyard
TPC Sawgrass - PLAYERS Stadium & Dye Valley Courses
CJGA Mizuno National Junior Championship at Carlisle
Hockey
Sweden Hockey Trophy U14 Tournament
Vegas Jr Golden Knights Labor Day Tournament
Onehockey Philadelphia Labor Day Weekend
DID YOU KNOW?
You can favorite your club, facility, tournament, league, clinic, etc. by clicking on the heart shape next to the business, which will create a fast link (time saver) underneath the sport club, facility, tournament, league, clinic page.
MARKETPLACE
We want to highlight a business that has joined Travelsports' online marketplace. Be sure to click below to check out their store on Travelsports.
Singular Luggage
Ready to turn heads at your next tournament? Singular Luggage is your game-changer. Our team luggage makes your squad look like a united force. Customize your bags with your team's logo, player's names, numbers, and even photos. Enjoy exclusive discounts when purchasing a team set. Imagine the envy when you and your teammates roll up with matching luggage. Travel like champions and showcase your team pride with Singular Luggage.
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