Stay-to-play policies are becoming increasingly prevalent in youth sports tournaments across the country, with some organizers enforcing strict rules that require participants to stay in partner hotels or face penalties. These policies are driven by the lucrative kickbacks that tournament organizers receive from hotels, leading to higher costs for families already spending thousands on their children’s sports activities. Antitrust attorneys question the legality of these policies, with some families even filing lawsuits.
The Sports Events & Tourism Association reports that nearly 40% of tournament destinations required stay-to-play in 2023, indicating the widespread impact of these policies on sports travel. While organizers argue that stay-to-play ensures better rates and easier booking for teams, parents often find cheaper alternatives on their own. Additionally, the reliance on room rebates to fund tournaments is concerning, as it disproportionately affects out-of-town teams and raises overall costs for families. Some tournaments offer buyouts for teams to opt out of the lodging policy, but at a significant fee.
The issue extends beyond local clubs to top-tier professional sports franchises like the Dallas Stars, who previously had strict stay-to-play policies that benefited their affiliated travel company. Legal challenges and public scrutiny have led some organizations to reconsider their policies, but the practice persists due to the financial incentives it offers. Families are feeling squeezed by these policies, which threaten to exclude them from tournaments or impose steep penalties for non-compliance. The debate surrounding stay-to-play policies highlights the broader challenges of affordable access to competitive youth sports and the impact on families.
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