Combine your passion for sports with your drive to be a business leader.
Whether you dream of working for a major league hockey team, bringing recreational programs to low-income communities, or running your own athletic gear startup, you’re going to need a strong foundation in business.
Waterloo’s one-of-a-kind degree in Recreation and Sport Business gives you just that.
With courses from Waterloo's top-ranked Recreation and Leisure Studies department and Wilfrid Laurier University's School of Business and Economics, you'll gain essential skills in marketing, communications, finance, management, and more.
You’ll also get the chance to participate in an exchange to the University of Florida and Walt Disney World Resort. There, you’ll learn about tourism, hospitality, and destination and event management in one of the world’s leading tourism destinations.
The sports industry in Canada is a multi-billion dollar industry. To excel in it, you need a solid understanding of recreation and the business chops to successfully develop and deliver products or services.
Find them both in Recreation and Sport Business.
As a student at Waterloo, Russell juggled extra-curricular activities, jobs, and school. After he graduated, he joined the Toronto Raptors as their Game Operations Coordinator, using his knowledge and experience from university to launch his career.
About the program
Available as a 
Apply directly to this program on your application
Earn a Bachelor of Arts in Recreation and Sport Business
Admissions
- Apply to Recreation and Leisure Studies and choose Recreation and Sport Business as your subject of major interest.
First-year courses
September to December
REC 100 - Introduction to the Study of Recreation and Leisure
REC 101 - Introduction to Recreation and Leisure Services
REC 120 - Program Management and Evaluation
AHS 107 - Sociology of Activity, Health, and Well-being
PSYCH 101 - Introductory Psychology
January to April
SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology
REC 105 - Interdisciplinary Approaches to Leisure
REC 215 - Marketing Recreation and Sport Services
2 electives
After first year
About half of the classes you’ll take will be Recreation and Leisure Studies courses. With your remaining classes, you can choose electives from many of the 100 subject areas at Waterloo.
View all the courses required for your degree.
Customize your degree
You can also add additional areas of interest and expertise by including a minor/minors as part of your degree.
Co-op
By alternating school terms and paid co-op work terms throughout your degree, you can explore new career areas and types of employers as your career interests evolve.
Sample co-op positions
- Recreation Therapy Student, St Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton
- Activity Leaders, Shadow Lake Centre
- Program Coordinator, Power Play Centre
- Promotions & Events Coordinator, Sweet Dreams Teashop
- Counsellor, Ontario March of Dimes
- Program and Special Event Assistant, City of Waterloo
- Tournament Operations Intern, Golf Canada
Careers
Upon graduation, you'll be well prepared to pursue a career in management, start your own business, or continue your education with an MBA or other graduate program. Graduates work for major league sports teams, non-profit organizations, and a variety of businesses.
Recent graduates
- Human Resources Coordinator, Diageo Canada Inc.
- Events Assistant, Canada Place Corporation
- Owner, Midas Event Supply
- Provincial Constable, Ontario Provincial Police
- Teacher, Toronto District School Board
- League Manager, Canlan Ice Sports Corp.
- Fundraising Events Coordinator, Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada
- Sales & Events Manager, Hyatt Corporation
- Coordinator, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd.
- Recreation Programmer, City of Burlington
Further education
While the full range of further education depends on your individual interests, graduates pursuing a master's, PhD, or other professional program commonly study business administration (MBA) or project management.
