Cycling is apparently the most expensive sport, according to a new survey

A recent survey conducted by UK betting company Betway has identified cycling as the most expensive sport to participate in based on equipment costs alone. The study compared 22 sports and found that cycling’s average start-up cost stands at £2,302, significantly higher than the second-most costly sport, ice hockey, which came in at around £1,700. This figure largely reflects the price of a "proper road-safety bike," which accounts for the majority of the expense, estimated at just over £2,000. By contrast, the cheapest sport on the list, swimming, was calculated to require only £50 for initial participation. The survey methodology involved compiling a list of essential items required for each sport and then sourcing prices via Google Shopping. Cycling was noted to require five key items, with the bike itself dominating the cost. However, the article’s author and cycling expert James Shrubsall cautions that the survey’s figures may overstate the typical entry cost for newcomers. More affordable bike options and a thriving second-hand market mean that beginners can enter the sport without such a substantial financial outlay, a topic explored further in the latest issue of Cycling Weekly. Other sports featured in the survey’s upper cost bracket included skiing and golf, both of which are known for additional expenses such as club memberships and travel, factors not included in Betway’s calculations. American football also ranked highly, with estimated start-up costs of over £800, whereas football (soccer) was much cheaper, positioned at 17th with a cost of £115. Mid-range sports included running, basketball, and somewhat surprisingly, darts, which was estimated at nearly £200. While the survey offers an interesting snapshot of equipment costs across a range of sports, it does not account for all expenses involved in participation, such as coaching, facility fees, or travel. Notably absent from the list were motorsports and sailing, both known for high costs but excluded from this particular analysis. The findings highlight the financial barriers that can exist in cycling, but also suggest that with careful choices, the sport remains accessible to a broader audience than the headline figures might imply.