Based in Riverview, Florida, i9 Sports stands out as a premier youth sports league franchise in the United States and the largest provider of diverse, community-driven youth sports programs.
Established by Frank Fiume in 1995, i9 Sports offers a variety of sports leagues, camps, and clinics for boys and girls aged 3–14, featuring popular sports like flag football, soccer, basketball, and baseball.
The franchise began expanding through franchising in 2003 and has since grown to over 202 locations worldwide, with 201 operating within the US.
i9 Sports distinguishes itself by focusing on fun and safety while promoting good sportsmanship. They prioritize a positive experience for all participants, encouraging healthy competition without the pressure often associated with youth sports.
Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.
i9 Sports offers 2 types of franchises:
We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Lump Sum Franchise Fee for a 10-Year Agreement facility.
For more information on the various types of franchises and its costs, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).
i9 Sports offers 2 types of franchises:
We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Lump Sum Franchise Fee for a 10-Year Agreement facility.
For more information on the various types of franchises and its costs, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).
Pre-Training Preparation
Prior to the commencement of formal training, franchisees are required to complete specific Pre-Training Preparation tasks. These tasks are designed to acquaint franchisees with the i9 Sports system and set a solid foundation for the subsequent training stages.
Phase I Training
Spanning four consecutive days, Phase I Training can take place either at the i9 Sports Training Facility in Riverview, Florida, or virtually. This phase includes 26.5 hours of intensive classroom instruction covering various topics such as the history and culture of i9 Sports, sports programming, customer service, marketing strategies, and the use of proprietary software. There is no hands-on training during this phase.
Post-Phase I Online Training
After completing Phase I, franchisees must participate in Post-Phase I Online Training, which includes webinars and online training modules. This segment is designed to reinforce the knowledge acquired during Phase I and ensure franchisees are prepared to begin marketing and offering services. This training encompasses 1 hour for Email Blasts, 1.5 hours for Franchise Manager Training – Reporting, and 1 hour for Staffing Webinar.
Phase II Training
Phase II Training must be completed within one to three months after the Business Launch Date and prior to the Service Start Date. This phase includes grand opening day training at an operational location and combines self-paced online courses with in-person or virtual sessions.
Phase III Training
Two to three months following the Service Start Date, franchisees undergo Phase III Training, which consists of a series of webinars as designated by the franchisor.
Phase IV Training
Within ten to twelve months after the Service Start Date, franchisees participate in Phase IV Training, which includes a series of training webinars and/or strategic planning sessions.
As a franchisee, you will not be granted an exclusive territory. This means that your location may face competition not only from other franchisees but also from outlets owned and operated by the franchisor. Additionally, the franchisor may control other channels of distribution or competitive brands that could impact your business.
This policy ensures a broad market presence for the brand, encouraging healthy competition and innovation among franchisees. While this approach fosters growth and brand recognition, it requires franchisees to continually focus on delivering exceptional service and implementing effective marketing strategies to maintain a competitive edge in their local markets.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
All you need to know about this franchise
?
?
?
?
Below are some of
i9 Sports
key competitors in the
Children
sector.
264
$16,500
$37,000
$70,000
n.a.
$412,000
$xxx,xxx
70.1%
n.a.
22.8%
n.a.
N Zone Sports is a youth-sports franchise offering recreational leagues, clinics, and camps across multiple sports, serving children and families seeking fun-first competition, and known for character-building coaching, convenient neighborhood scheduling, and turnkey systems for operating leagues without owning facilities.
?
?
Child’s Play Challenge Courses is a youth-activity-franchise offering mobile obstacle courses, ninja zones, obstacle rentals for schools and events, serving children, schools and families, and known for inclusive design, turnkey mobile assets and high-engagement experiences.
?
?
Gym Skills is a youth-sports-franchise offering gymnastics, tumbling, ninja-training, mobile gyms, camps and birthday parties, serving children and families, and known for flexible programming, multiple revenue streams and community-focused active-lifestyle model.
?
?
National Academy of Athletics is a youth-sports-franchise offering sports-skills classes, camps and leagues for children, serving families of young athletes, and known for multi-sport curriculum, community-oriented facilities and scalable club model.
?
?
Kidokinetics is a children's sports and fitness franchise that offers multi-sport programs designed to promote physical activity and motor skill development.
?
?
Hot Ground Gym is a unique fitness program designed for kids, promoting physical activity, teamwork, and life skills in a fun setting.
?
?
Choosing a franchise goes beyond reviewing fees and financials — it requires an honest assessment of your goals, skills, and risk tolerance. This article outlines the key questions prospective owners should ask before committing. It helps clarify whether the opportunity aligns with your lifestyle, long-term plans, and operational preferences.
Speaking with current and former franchisees is one of the most reliable ways to understand how a franchise really operates. This guide explains how to conduct validation calls, what questions to ask, and how to identify patterns in feedback. It provides a practical framework for uncovering real performance expectations and support quality.
Not all franchise opportunities offer the same potential. This article breaks down how to evaluate a brand’s industry, financial health, support systems, and competitive positioning. It helps prospective buyers compare options and identify franchises with strong long-term viability.
A clear, well-structured business plan is essential for securing financing and preparing for the realities of franchise ownership. This article explains how to build a plan that covers market analysis, operations, staffing, and local marketing. It also outlines how to create realistic pro forma financials, including revenue projections, startup costs, and break-even analysis. Readers gain a practical framework they can use when applying for loans or planning their first years of operations.
.png)
