When discussing financial responsibilities, whether you are an athlete or a small business owner, you appreciate the value of money. Thanks to fundraising, many people can participate in their dream sport without the headache of financial responsibilities.
As a coach, player, or enthusiastic parent, raising money for your hockey team can be daunting. Uniforms, tournament costs, travel expenses. It adds up quickly. Here is the good news: fundraising for hockey does not have to be boring, stressful, or old-fashioned. By using a little creativity and a smart plan, you can fundraise with ease and have fun as a team!
In this article, you will find 20 tried and true, hockey fundraising ideas that offer online prominence, community support, and fun, and at little to no cost.
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Why Fundraising for Hockey Teams Matters?
Before we jump into some ideas, let’s get serious for a moment. Hockey is one of the most costly youth sports! With equipment, ice time, coaching fees, and travel, many families dish out thousands of dollars per year. For a hockey team, fundraising can often come to the rescue, not just for the team but for hockey players who cannot afford the costs without help.
Whether you’re managing a youth league or an amateur team, these ice hockey fundraising ideas are designed to cover high costs and sustain team culture. Hockey fundraising is not only a way to cover costs, but it is a way of sustaining a team culture. This is one of the reasons that hockey is a sport with such active fundraising, with its community, competition, and cause energy.
Many hockey organizations also participate in fundraising for charitable causes. Hockey Fights Cancer is an example of this type of charitable fund, which has raised more than $44 million in its first 26 years.
What are the Best Hockey Fundraising Ideas?
Here are our carefully shortlisted 20 hockey fundraising ideas that actually stand out from the traditional hockey fundraiser ideas:
1. Puck Toss Challenge
You can sell numbered hockey pucks to fans before or during a game. During intermission, you can allow buyers to toss their puck into the ice, aiming for center ice. Prizes, like team gear or gift cards, will be awarded to the puck that comes closest to the target. Almost everyone can take part in this game, and it makes every home game even more exciting. It’s a quick and fun hockey fundraiser that engages fans and raises money instantly.
2. Bottle Drive
Since hockey is played on the ground, it’s the team’s responsibility to keep it clean. You can raise money by simply keeping your hockey community clean. All you have to do is collect plastic bottles and send them for recycling.
An eco-friendly fundraising idea is always the best. It’s not necessary to restrict yourself from picking bottles from hockey grounds only; feel free to explore as many places as possible. It is a great way to raise money without asking people for donations.
3. Organize a Charity Hockey Match
You can plan a charity hockey game. It’s an effective approach to bring your community together and raise awareness of the cause you’re supporting.
Also, organize a thrilling face-off, charge a registration fee for teams to compete, and watch how participants and onlookers support your cause. Having fun activities like a celebrity puck drop or personalized jerseys can really draw a crowd, ticket sales, souvenirs, and food stalls may all help increase donations.
Tip: Promote your event through local media, schools, and social media groups. Make it a community affair, not just a match.
4. Get Sponsored by Local Businesses
Landing a corporate sponsor is a win-win situation. Your team will get crucial financial support, and a local business will gain valuable exposure to your supporters and community. In return for their support, provide them exposure on your jerseys, social media, and game programs. It will be a great way to form a lasting relationship that will be beneficial for both of them.
5. Hockey Skills Classes
Offer paid classes where club athletes teach basic skills to rookie or youth players. Charge a registration fee and sell team-branded gear as add-ons. Parents appreciate development opportunities, and funds go to team needs.
6. Shoot-to-Win During Intermission
Let attendees buy chances to shoot a puck from center ice during game breaks. If they get the puck into a special goal slot, they win a prize. This is exciting for fans and boosts intermission energy.
7. Online Fundraising Platforms
Regarding convenience and practicality, online fundraising is one of the best fundraising ideas for hockey teams to raise funds with minimal effort. It allows you not to restrict your fundraising efforts within your society or community. Instead, you can reach a more comprehensive donor network worldwide (depending on your chosen platform). From individual campaigns to local businesses, everyone can benefit from it.
Pro tip: Use storytelling. A well-written page with player photos and team goals drives 2–3x more engagement. So What Are You Waiting For? Start Your Hockey Fundraiser Today
8. Sell Used Equipment
You’ll be surprised to know that there are people actually interested in buying used equipment. Let’s be real; not everyone can afford new equipment to be on a hockey team. You can ask your team members to bring their old equipment and sell them to the people who wish to buy them.
Social media is your friend, so you can leverage it to sell goods online or simply look for potential buyers near you.
9. Hockey Photography Contest
Organize a hockey photography contest, where your fans submit their best hockey-themed photos taken at games or team events for a small entry fee. You could display the photos online or post them all around the rink and let your fans vote for their favorites. Consider having prizes for the most interesting or most dramatic photos. This could create team spirit, make more excitement on social media, and valuable contests to relive those unforgettable moments!
10. Hockey Themed Scavenger Hunt
Arrange a hockey-themed scavenger hunt at your rink or neighborhood by hiding hockey-related items and clues for teams to find. Participants register in advance, follow a set route, and take photos or list the objects as proof of participation. You may offer prizes for the fastest finishers and most creative solutions. This family-friendly event promotes club ties and is popular with children.
11. Hockey Fantasy League
Create a fantasy hockey contest for fans, families, and team members to pay a small fee to play. You will need to set team sizes, rules, and momentum heading into the season, then award prizes to the best teams. This is a great way to use the passion for professional hockey to help generate extra funds for local clubs. The contest can be organized in person or online, and will lift this effort even further if all leagues participate.
12. Hockey Trivia Game Night
Host a trivia night at the rink, a nearby restaurant, or virtually, about hockey facts, player history, technical terms, etc. Teams would pay an entry fee and then compete to be the best trivia team for prizes. This will be a low-stress social setting for players to get to know each other and allow them to meet other families. This event can increase attendance ahead of a future fundraising event.
13. Hockey-Themed Cooking Class
Partner with a local chef or restaurant, and host a cooking class that is hockey-themed. You would pay for the recipe tickets as unique recipes demonstrating “power foods” for athletes, these would be sent to attendees, and the cooking class would provide “treats” as prizes too. This is also a new and engaging way to get families and teams involved while providing a focused benefit for families, while also raising funds.
14. Guess the Number of Pucks
Fill a large see-through container with hockey pucks and offer fans a chance to guess how many pucks are in the container for a small fee. The closest guess will win a great prize, like team merchandise or a ticket voucher to the next game. This is an easy contest to run and can be conducted at a community event or game night, so fans can have multiple chances to win. It’s a low-cost and widely appealing idea for families.
15. Hockey-Themed Silent Auction
Collect hockey memorabilia, signed items, artwork, or handmade items donated by local business supporters or team members for a silent auction. Conduct the auction live at the rink, or online, and have fans bid on collectible items. Kids can also get involved and make items to donate for variety. The auction proceeds will go directly towards helping the club and can be part of a larger event to get better value for your efforts.
16. Hockey Movie Night
Host a screening of a fun, favorite hockey movie (options could include The Mighty Ducks, or Miracle) at a local movie theater. Sell tickets, sell snacks as well, and provide hockey trivia, or mini-games during intermission. Provide a warm, high-energy environment to attract attendees of all ages, and work hard to promote the event to encourage attendance.
17. Charity Raffle Draw
You can offer hockey-themed prizes, such as autographed jerseys, pro game tickets, or specialty sticks, as raffle tickets during games or online. Encourage local businesses to donate to lower the cost and increase the prize pool. Promote the raffle far and wide to boost registration and profits, and capitalize on the hype to create buzz for other events.
18. Talent Show
Organize a talent show with a hockey theme that enables players and supporters to perform their off-ice talents, which could include a magic show, dancing, playing an instrument, comedy, and/or singing. As an idea, you can charge an entry fee and hire local celebrities to perform or devote their time as judges. For the winners, award an item of team apparel to keep excitement around the team for some time.
19. Skate-a-thon
Create a ‘marathon skate’ at your rink and ask teams to gather pledges based on time or laps skated. For your event, anyone who skates can be involved, including parents, friends, and family: they will all take incentive from the pledges they have and from supporters out on the ice. After creating the skating event, it is a good idea to mix in a celebration, such as playing music and providing refreshments, to build the team culture while raising funds. Essentially, the more skaters and sponsors, (companies supporting each lap with referential costs), the greater the results.
20. Dance Night or Social
Following the big games where teams drum up local support, the teams can utilize a local community center or ice rink, and plan a hockey-themed dance/social. An engaging option is to request community support by selling tickets, decorating the venue as you now have one-time ticket sales in bulk, and you can coordinate music and refreshments based upon your team’s spirit. There can also be team-related raffles or silent auctions, maximizing fundraising and agreeing on the teams you are incorporating to make it all work for one night of fun for everyone.
Ready to Fund Your Team’s Journey?
These are some practical yet effective hockey team fundraising ideas that will help you meet your team’s financial obligations with minimal effort. They are not only creative but also give you a chance to step out of your comfort zone and enjoy while doing something productive.
Whether you go digital with a WhyDonate campaign, rally your community with a charity game, or embrace social media fundraising, you’ve got the hockey fundraising ideas.
Make your skills count. Let the world support your dream.
