Club and athlete event tours
Organise trips for amateur teams and runners, cyclists or triathletes taking part in races and tournaments away from home.
- £2k-8k
- Side hustle
- From home
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
7,667 UK companies in this field, 33% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 79120 “Tour operator activities”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
You plan the travel side of taking part: entries where allowed, accommodation, transfers, bike or kit transport and group logistics for events such as marathons, cycling sportives or club tours.
Your first three steps
- Pick one type of event and contact a few clubs to ask what they find hard about travelling to compete
- Create a sample itinerary and costed package, then check supplier terms and what protection applies
- Offer a first tour to one club or running group at a fair price and ask for a testimonial
Who pays
Amateur clubs, school and youth teams, running and cycling groups, and individual participants who want it taken care of.
How it makes money
A per-person package price covering your costs plus a margin, or a planning fee per group. Clubs often come back each season.
Skills that help
- Group organising and clear communication
- Knowledge of the sport and its events
- Budgeting and supplier negotiation
- Duty of care awareness for groups, including young people
Watch out for
- Package travel rules and financial protection, check what applies to your trips
- ATOL requirements if flights are included
- Safeguarding and consent checks when taking under-18s, check what is expected
- Event entry rules and cancellation terms from organisers
- Insurance for you and advice to customers about their own travel and sports injury cover
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: club and athlete event tours
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a sports tour business?
Startup costs are typically around £2,000 to £8,000, depending on the events and groups you serve. These are estimates only. Insurance for you is worth checking, along with advice to customers about their own cover.
How much can you earn from club and athlete tours?
Monthly revenue is typically around £2,000 to £10,000, depending on how many groups you take and the size of each trip. These are estimates, and the idea assumes at least about 10 hours a week.
What should I check before organising sports tours?
Check package travel rules and financial protection for your trips, and ATOL requirements if flights are included. If taking under-18s, check what safeguarding and consent checks are expected. Also check event entry rules and cancellation terms.
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