Rec vs Club Soccer: What Parents Should Know

For families starting their journey, rec vs club soccer often comes up as the big question: which one is right for your child? Recreational soccer is great for kids who want to learn, have fun, and play with friends. Club soccer is better suited for those who want more competition and year-round training.

In our family, soccer has looked different for each of my kids. My 5-year-old and 13-year-old both play recreational soccer in the Frisco Soccer Association. Rec soccer has been the perfect way to start their soccer journey — and for my 13-year-old, it’s still a great way to stay active and play with friends for fun.

But for my 11-year-old and 7-year-old, soccer is more than just a game — they eat, breathe, and dream soccer (future careers already planned: Barcelona for the 7-year-old and Premier League for the 11-year-old!). For them, rec soccer isn’t quite enough.

That’s where the big parent question comes in: What’s the difference between rec soccer and club soccer, and what works best for your family?

What Is Recreational Soccer?

Recreational soccer (or “rec”) is designed to be fun and accessible:

• Community-based with volunteer coaches (often parents).

• Typically 1 practice + 1 game per week.

• Each season has about 8 games.

• Parents often rotate bringing post-game snacks.

• Uniforms are included in the cost — for younger ages, a full kit, and for older kids, usually just the jersey.

• Costs are affordable (e.g., in Frisco Soccer Association: about $25 registration fee + $75 for U4, and $115 for ages 2007–2022).

Why parents love rec soccer: Less pressure, a family feel, and plenty of fun while kids build friendships.

Rec vs Club Soccer: Key Differences Parents Should Know

Club soccer is a different setup:

• Coaches are usually paid and licensed.

• Teams train at soccer facilities.

• Players often practice multiple times per week and compete in tournaments.

• Parents typically pay for uniforms separately (not bundled like in rec).

• Costs are higher (often hundreds or thousands per year instead of a few hundred).

Why some kids go the club route: They want more practices, more competition, and more opportunities to grow in soccer.

Gear Tip: If your little one is starting out in rec, check out my Beginner Gear Guide for 5-Year-Old Soccer Players — it covers cleats, shin guards, balls, and water bottles (affiliate links included).

What Works for Our Family

All of our kids started in rec soccer — and I truly believe it’s the best foundation. Some of my kids are happy staying in rec, where the focus is fun and friendship. Others want more soccer than the rec schedule can offer, so we’ll look at club in the future.

What matters most is this: soccer should fit the child, not the other way around.

Parent Takeaway

Rec soccer is the perfect start — it’s affordable, fun, and community-driven. Club soccer can be a great next step for kids who are passionate and competitive. No matter which path you take, the goal is the same: keep soccer fun, supportive, and full of memories your kids will carry forever.