How much does an i9 Sports franchise cost?
The March 26, 2026 i9 Sports FDD discloses two Estimated Initial Investment ranges for the same home-office-oriented Area Developer model: $36,500 to $46,500 under the 5-Year Agreement and $59,900 to $69,900 under the 10-Year Agreement. The difference is primarily the timing of the Franchise Fee, not a different sports-program format.
$59,900–$69,900
The lower range applies to the 5-Year Agreement, which includes three assumed $500 monthly Franchise Fee payments before the Business Launch Date. The higher range applies to the 10-Year Agreement, which requires the full $24,900 Franchise Fee when the agreement is signed. Both ranges include $8,000 to $13,000 of Additional Funds for the first three months after launch.
Source: 2026 i9 Sports, LLC Franchise Disclosure Document, Item 7, pp. 23–25. The current term-specific ranges are also stated in the official i9 Sports franchise FAQ.
- Legal franchisor
- i9 Sports, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Youth Enrichment Brands, LLC.
- FDD basis
- Issued March 26, 2026; Item 5, pp. 14–15; Item 6, pp. 15–22; Item 7, pp. 23–25; cost-relevant portions of Items 8, 10, 11, and 17.
- Offer structure
- One i9 Sports Area Developer franchise model with a 5-Year Agreement or a 10-Year Agreement.
- Checked
- July 21, 2026. No matching 2026 FDD was found on an official franchise-controlled public webpage, so FDD citations in this article are unlinked.
Which figures matter most before opening?
The principal capital decision is whether to pay the Franchise Fee at signing under the 10-Year Agreement or continue paying it monthly under the 5-Year Agreement. The Territory Fee and the remaining Item 7 categories are otherwise the same.
Non-refundable lump sum due when the 10-Year Agreement is signed.
Begins the first calendar month after signing; $1,500 is assumed before launch in Item 7.
Non-refundable lump sum due at signing under either agreement.
Working capital for the first three months after the Business Launch Date.
Of Network Revenues, subject to a $425 or $450 monthly minimum after the initial 60-day period.
Of Network Revenues or $275 per month, whichever is greater, after the initial 60-day period.
Source: 2026 FDD, Items 5–7, pp. 14–25.
Why does i9 Sports publish two investment ranges?
The two ranges reflect different Franchise Fee payment contracts. Under the 10-Year Agreement, i9 Sports, LLC collects the $24,900 Franchise Fee and the $15,000 Territory Fee at signing. Under the 5-Year Agreement, it collects the $15,000 Territory Fee at signing and then charges the $500 monthly Franchise Fee for the 60-month term.
The Franchise Fee covers initial training for up to two people, the technology license for Franchise Manager Software, website customization, software configuration, setup, and installation. Travel, lodging, meals, and compensation for trainees remain the franchisee's responsibility.
10-Year Agreement
$39,900 at signing$24,900 Franchise Fee plus $15,000 Territory Fee. Item 7 then adds the other pre-opening and working-capital categories.
5-Year Agreement
$16,500 before launch$15,000 Territory Fee plus an assumed three $500 Franchise Fee installments. A delayed Phase I Training completion can increase the number of pre-launch installments.
The scale runs from $0 to $70,000. Each teal segment shows the disclosed low-to-high range, not an average or expected outcome.
Source: 2026 FDD, Item 7, pp. 23–25.
The 5-Year Agreement reduces cash required before launch, but it does not erase the Franchise Fee. A derived calculation of 60 monthly installments at $500 equals $30,000 over the full five-year term; Item 7 includes only the assumed first $1,500 in its opening range. The unpaid balance accelerates if the agreement is terminated or transferred before the fee has been fully paid. The $30,000 figure is arithmetic derived from Items 5 and 17, not an Item 7 total.
What is included in the disclosed startup range?
Item 7 includes the Franchise Fee structure, Territory Fee, launch marketing, insurance, legal and accounting services, home-office equipment and supplies, training travel, and three months of Additional Funds. The non-fee categories use the same ranges under both agreement terms.
| Item 7 category | 10-Year Agreement | 5-Year Agreement | Payment timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franchise Fee | $24,900 | $1,500 included | At signing for 10-Year; $500 monthly beginning after signing for 5-Year |
| Territory Fee | $15,000 | $15,000 | At signing |
| Grand Opening Advertising | $6,000–$8,000 | $6,000–$8,000 | As incurred; budgeted during the 90 days before the Service Start Date |
| Insurance | $1,000–$1,500 | $1,000–$1,500 | As agreed and incurred |
| Legal & Accounting Services | $800–$1,500 | $800–$1,500 | As agreed and incurred |
| Furniture, Equipment, Inventory, and Supplies | $3,000–$4,000 | $3,000–$4,000 | As incurred |
| Training Expenses | $1,200–$2,000 | $1,200–$2,000 | As incurred |
| Additional Funds — 3 months | $8,000–$13,000 | $8,000–$13,000 | As incurred after the Business Launch Date |
| Total Estimated Initial Investment | $59,900–$69,900 | $36,500–$46,500 | Official Item 7 totals |
Source: 2026 FDD, Item 7, pp. 23–25. For a public description of the home-based cost structure, see the official startup-cost page.
This derived calculation subtracts each category's low amount from its high amount. The six differences reconcile exactly to the $10,000 gap between the official low and high totals.
- Additional Funds$5,000 · 50%
- Grand Opening Advertising$2,000 · 20%
- Furniture, Equipment, Inventory, and Supplies$1,000 · 10%
- Training Expenses$800 · 8%
- Legal & Accounting Services$700 · 7%
- Insurance$500 · 5%
Derived from official 2026 FDD Item 7 low and high amounts, pp. 23–25. The calculation describes range variation; it is not a franchisor-published spending allocation.
When is the startup money paid?
The largest fixed payment occurs when the Area Developer Agreement is signed. The remaining Item 7 costs are incurred through training, marketing, setup, and the first three months after the Business Launch Date.
Pay the $15,000 Territory Fee. Under the 10-Year Agreement, also pay the $24,900 Franchise Fee. Under the 5-Year Agreement, the $500 monthly Franchise Fee starts in the first calendar month after signing.
The FDD estimates 4 to 12 weeks from signing to launch. During setup, the franchisee incurs entity, insurance, Computer System, office-supply, and training-travel costs. Item 7 assumes three monthly Franchise Fee payments before launch under the 5-Year Agreement.
At least $6,000 must be spent on Grand Opening Advertising, budgeted over the 90 days before the Service Start Date. The high estimate of $8,000 includes recommended additional marketing.
Additional Funds of $8,000 to $13,000 cover items such as second-season marketing, additional payroll, automobile use, and more branded uniforms, game-day apparel, field signage, and equipment. Minimum Royalty Fee, National Brand Fund, and Customer Service Center charges begin after 60 days from the Business Launch Date.
Source: 2026 FDD, Items 5, 6, 7, and 11, pp. 14–25 and 30–41.
Which fees continue after opening?
The ongoing cost structure combines percentage fees based on Network Revenues, monthly minimums, customer-service and communication charges, per-registration or per-player charges, and the continuing $500 Franchise Fee under the 5-Year Agreement.
| Ongoing obligation | Current amount or basis | Timing | FDD reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royalty Fee | 7.5% of Network Revenues; minimum $425 monthly for territories under 80,000 children or $450 for territories of 80,000 or more | Currently deducted daily by EFT; minimum applies after 60 days | Item 6, pp. 15–16 |
| Customer Service Center Fee | Greater of $0.95 per minute or $332.50 per month | Currently deducted daily by EFT; minimum applies after 60 days | Item 6, p. 16 |
| Telecommunication Platform Fee | $15 or $30 per month | Currently deducted daily by EFT | Item 6, p. 16 |
| National Brand Fund Contribution | 2% of Network Revenues or $275 per month, whichever is greater | Currently deducted daily by EFT; minimum applies after 60 days | Item 6, p. 16 |
| Local Advertising Requirement | Minimum 2% of Network Revenues | Spent monthly in the Network Area | Item 6, p. 16 |
| 5-Year Agreement Franchise Fee | $500 per month | Monthly for the agreement term | Item 6, p. 16 |
| Technology Fee | Currently $3 charged directly to each customer per paid registration | As incurred | Item 6, pp. 16–17 |
| Email and SMS Fees | $14.72 per email address monthly; $0.01 per text message, with a current credit for two email addresses | Monthly or as incurred | Item 6, p. 17 |
| Mandatory Insurance Program Fee | $3.11 per unique player per policy year; optional Sponsorship Programs can add $3.06 | As incurred, currently collected from Network Revenues | Item 6, pp. 19–22 |
| Computer System maintenance and upgrades | Annual software upgrades and maintenance are anticipated to cost less than $1,000 per year; future hardware or system changes can vary | As required or incurred | Item 11, pp. 40–41 |
- Network Revenues
- The FDD-defined base for Royalty Fee, National Brand Fund, and Local Advertising calculations. It generally includes revenue connected with the i9 Sports Franchise, subject to the exclusions listed in Item 6.
- Monthly minimum
- A floor payable even when the percentage calculation is lower. The FDD highlights mandatory minimum Royalty Fee and National Brand Fund obligations.
- EFT collection
- i9 Sports may require fees to be collected through the Billing System and electronic funds transfer at intervals it designates.
The current official franchise FAQ states the National Brand Fund as the greater of 1% of monthly gross revenue or $275, while the March 26, 2026 FDD states 2% of Network Revenues or $275. This article uses the current FDD figure. The applicable percentage and defined revenue base should be confirmed in the disclosure document and agreement delivered for the actual transaction. See the official FAQ wording.
Which charges apply only in particular circumstances?
Item 6 also creates costs that are triggered by additional training, expansion, transfer, renewal, late payment, non-compliance, or other events. These amounts are not part of the routine percentage-fee schedule.
Source: 2026 FDD, Item 6, pp. 17–22, and Item 17, pp. 49–53.
What does the official range not fully resolve?
The Item 7 total assumes a primarily home-based office and personal vehicles. It does not settle every buyer-specific cash need, especially commercial-office choices, personal living expenses, local venue arrangements, or later system changes.
- Commercial office costs: the FDD expects most franchises to use an existing home office, so its estimate excludes rent and leasehold improvements. A franchisee may choose a commercial office with approval.
- Vehicle acquisition: Item 7 includes automobile-use costs within Additional Funds but does not estimate buying or leasing a vehicle because personal automobiles are assumed.
- Personal living expenses: the official startup-cost page states that the published business figures do not include funds needed for living expenses while starting the business.
- Venue economics: the model uses existing community venues rather than owned facilities, but actual venue agreements and seasonal use costs depend on the Network Area and selected sites.
- Merchant and supplier charges: an approved merchant account and gateway are required, but the FDD does not publish a fixed processing rate. Approved-supplier, venue, and financial-benchmarking costs can also depend on the service used.
- Future system changes: required Computer System specifications, software support, supplier requirements, communications fees, and insurance arrangements may change during the agreement term.
Official franchise information explains that operators generally lease existing playing venues rather than purchase sports facilities. See the official venue model description.
The disclosed $8,000 to $13,000 of Additional Funds is already included in the official total. It should not be added a second time. Personal living expenses, a vehicle purchase, and optional commercial-office costs are separate questions because Item 7 does not quantify them.
Does i9 Sports disclose financing, liquid capital, or net worth requirements?
The 2026 FDD does not disclose a numeric Liquid Capital or Net Worth minimum. Item 10 states that i9 Sports, LLC does not offer direct or indirect Financing and does not guarantee a note, lease, or other obligation.
The official franchise FAQ says the franchisor can introduce prospects to outside third-party lenders. That statement describes a referral possibility, not franchisor Financing, approval, or a guaranteed funding amount. Prospects considering an SBA-backed loan can consult the SBA Franchise Directory; the SBA states that directory inclusion is not an endorsement and does not guarantee success or financing.
For eligible U.S. Armed Forces veterans choosing the 10-Year Agreement, Item 5 discloses a 10% reduction of the $24,900 Franchise Fee, equal to $2,490. The benefit is also listed in the VetFran i9 Sports profile. The discount does not reduce the Territory Fee or the other Item 7 categories.
Item 5 also provides a 10% discount from the then-current Franchise Fee for an existing franchisee that qualifies to acquire an additional i9 Sports Franchise under the then-current 10-Year Agreement. That incentive is conditional on the franchisor's multi-unit criteria and does not create an automatic right to another territory.
Source: 2026 FDD, Items 5 and 10, pp. 14–15 and 30.
What should be reconciled before any payment is made?
The transaction documents should be checked against the 2026 figures because public franchise pages contain some inconsistent or rounded amounts, and the FDD permits several fees and system requirements to change.
- Confirm whether the proposed agreement is the 5-Year Agreement or 10-Year Agreement and obtain the exact signing payment schedule.
- Confirm the Network Area child population because it determines the $425 or $450 minimum Royalty Fee tier.
- Obtain the current Customer Service Center, Telecommunication Platform, Technology, Email, SMS, and Mandatory Insurance Program fee schedule.
- Price training travel for all Required Trainees and determine whether Phase I or Phase II will be held in Florida, at another operating location, or virtually.
- Separate business Additional Funds from personal living expenses and any optional commercial-office budget.
- Ask for the most recent FDD amendment or quarterly update before signing. The FTC states that a prospective franchisee must receive the disclosure document at least 14 calendar days before signing a binding agreement or making a payment.
For disclosure timing and document-review context, consult the FTC consumer guide to buying a franchise and the FTC Franchise Rule.
What is the practical capital distinction?
The verified 2026 cost decision is between a $36,500 to $46,500 5-Year Agreement range and a $59,900 to $69,900 10-Year Agreement range. The lower opening range depends on continuing $500 monthly Franchise Fee payments; it is not a lower-priced operating model. In both cases, the buyer must distinguish the Item 7 total from ongoing Network Revenues-based fees, personal living expenses, and conditional obligations such as transfer, renewal, territory expansion, additional training, and system upgrades.