kids sports leagues in philadelphia

Many parents want to know the best options for putting their kids in a youth sports program. Typically, you have two options: seasonal or year-round. 

Youth sports leagues range from spring/summer leagues to fall/winter programs and even extra skills training opportunities. 

To make sure your kids have a chance to play sports they enjoy, plan ahead. Know the signup dates, research your local league options and talk to your child about what to expect. 

Here are some of the best sports leagues for kids in the Philadelphia area!

Spring Sports Leagues for Kids

Spring sports include baseball, lacrosse, softball, soccer and more. Registration for kids' spring sports typically opens as early as January and goes through mid-March or early May. Every league and program has deadlines, so make sure you know the dates ahead of time to get your spot early.

Philly Spring Sports at the YMCA: Find your favorite sports league at the Philadelphia YMCA. From T-ball to basketball to soccer, you can find a league based on your child’s age and sports preference. Sign-ups open at the beginning of March and leagues begin at the end of March.

Philly Athletics Youth Sports Association: Every year, Philly Athletics runs kids’ spring baseball and T-ball leagues. Sign-up ends March 7th and fills up fast, so keep your eye out every January for announcements. 

Bustleton Bengals Spring Sports: “Bengals Nation” offers spring sports for kids such as baseball, track & field and dance. 

Fairmount Soccer Association: For your go-to spring, summer and fall soccer leagues (and kids camps), Fairmount has you covered. They help families in Philadelphia find a fun soccer league throughout the year and connect kids of all ages to appropriate team play. 

Fall Sports Leagues for Kids

Fall sports like soccer, volleyball, flag football and basketball are a favorite among kids! Registration for fall sports leagues can open as early as May and go through August or mid-September. Depending on the program, registration can fill up fast so try to sign up sooner rather than later. 

Chestnut Hill Youth Sports: This program has fall soccer teams for kids ages 4 and up. Plus, check back for other seasons as soccer is ongoing. 

Bustleton Bengals Fall Sports: For Philadelphia fall sports, the Bengals offer kids football, cheerleading and soccer. They also have winter indoor basketball programs that open at the end of fall and begin in December. 

Haverford Youth Football and Cheer: Fall is the season for football and cheerleading, and Haverford is one of Philly’s best youth programs for both. They offer flag football and tackle football for varying age groups and cheerleading for kids as young as age four. 

Philadelphia Public League: Never underestimate school sports! Browse your district’s leagues and tournaments for public and private schools. Fall sports include cross country, golf, soccer, football and tennis. 

Adaptive Youth Sports Leagues in Philly

Here are some notable programs that offer sports to kids of specific groups and disabilities. These instill encouragement, team-building and life skills. 

PYB HoopHers: Leaders at Philadelphia Youth Basketball run multiple affordable programs for boys and girls. HoopHers is a winter sports program for females that offers games and skills training in addition to empowerment for girls to pursue sports. 

Special Olympics Philadelphia: Get your special needs child involved in sports year-round through SOP (Special Olympics Pennsylvania). They provide school-based programs, community-wide sports teams and fitness programs for kids with disabilities. 

Katie’s Komets: For children in wheelchairs, Katie’s Komets offers adaptive sports leagues through the National Wheelchair Basketball Association. 

Philadelphia Studio Ballet Dance Enrichment: For kids with cognitive or physical disabilities, ballet can still be a dream come true. This program offers dance classes for ages ten and up. Performances at the end of the season are available to showcase accomplishments. 

Kids Sports Organizations in Philadelphia 

For parents who want to explore a wide range of sports opportunities (some for a good cause!), here are the ongoing sports clubs, organizations and initiatives available throughout the greater Philly area. 

i9 Sports: i9 is one of the biggest sports league providers in the country, connecting kids and families to local sports opportunities. You can search for sports programs at any time of the year. Click “Find a Program” and enter your zip code to locate upcoming sports leagues listed in their Philadelphia branch. 

Philadelphia Youth Sports Collaborative: PYSC enriches kids’ lives through affordable, accessible sports options in the area. They partner with local organizations and initiatives to bring the best of sports to every child with a focus on diversity. 

Parkwood Youth Organization: PYO updates its site regularly with upcoming sports leagues and programs for kids. From 3v3 basketball to full-team soccer camps and everything in between, PYO gives boys and girls across Philly the chance to jump in and get involved.

Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association: PIAA is your resource for all things sports for both kids and teens. Get the latest news, view upcoming sports events and sign up for upcoming leagues. All the information you need is on their website. 

Kids Running Clubs: If your child loves to race and run, we made a list of some of the best Philadelphia running clubs for kids you may find useful.

Worried you can’t afford to put your child in a sports league? Everyone deserves to play sports they love. Check out our guide on places in Philadelphia where kids can play sports for free. 

Seasonal vs Annual Youth League: Which is Better?

Consider where your child is at when it comes to sports. Are they new to sports and unsure of which one they enjoy most? Do they get bored quickly and require a wide variety of new experiences? Then seasonal sports leagues are a good choice. They can try out a sport and move on once the season ends. 

Does your child have a love for one or two specific sports? Do they have friends on a team with no interest in changing any time soon? It might be time for them to learn refined skills and build discipline, which is doable with an ongoing, year-round program.

Where to Find Youth Sports Leagues in Philadelphia

Want to find smaller leagues or sports that aren’t listed here? Download the eseo app today, where you can connect with sports lovers in your area and get your kids involved in teams they love. If you’re tired of endlessly Google-ing “kids sports near me”, look no further.