You love sports. So make it your career.
Canada has a multi-billion dollar sports industry. To excel in it, you need a solid understanding of recreation and the business smarts to develop and deliver successful products or services.
Whether you dream of working for a major league hockey team, bringing recreational programs to low-income communities, developing a sports marketing program to attract new audiences, or running your own athletic gear startup, you’re going to need a strong foundation in business.
Recreation and Sport Business – sometimes known as a sport management program at other universities – provides the opportunity for you to gain nearly two years of paid co-op work experience before you graduate.
Admission requirements
Ontario students: six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including
- Any Grade 12 U English (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
Admission average: Low 80s (co-op and regular)
We recommend completing the Admission Information Form once you've applied.
Not studying in Ontario? Search our admission requirements.
How to apply
Apply to Recreation and Leisure Studies and choose Recreation and Sport Business as your major.
First-year courses
September to December
January to April
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.
Sample upper-year courses
REC 215 – Marketing Recreation and Sport Services
REC 313 – Mobilizing Resources for Recreation and Sport Delivery
REC 311 – Event Management
REC 405 – Leisure and Well-being
Hands-on experience through paid co-op terms
Jon spent a co-op work term developing marketing, communications, operations, and event planning skills with the Ontario Volleyball Association.
Apply to Recreation and Leisure Studies
Earn a Bachelor of Arts in Recreation and Sport Business
Co-op = relevant paid work experience
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 job titles
- Recreation program assistant
- Promotions & events coordinator
- Tournament operations assistant
- Marketing outreach events associate
- Outdoor education assistant
- Athletics and recreation sport marketing
- Community recreation facilitator
- Sports management coordinator
Sample co-op employers
- St Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton
- Ontario March of Dimes
- City of Waterloo
- Golf Canada
- City of Markham
- Ottawa Sports & Entertainment Group
- Toronto District School Board
- University of Waterloo
In Canada for hospitality and leisure management research
Offered by the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences
Only Recreation and Sport Business degree in Canada
Customize your degree
You can add areas of expertise to your degree by pursuing areas of focus within the program or by choosing a double major or joint honours. You can also include one of the minors available to all Waterloo students. Popular choices include Event Management, Speech Communication, and Human Resource Management.
What careers can you pursue?
Graduates commonly pursue careers in sport management, communications and events management, game operations, and more. They frequently work for sports and entertainment companies as well as professional sports teams.
Recent graduates
- President of Hockey Operations & General Manager – Edmonton Oil Kings
- Communications Manager – Pretty River Sports & Entertainment
- Coordinator, Game Operations – Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment
- Defensive, Special Teams Quality Control Coach – Hamilton Tiger-Cats Football Club
- Recreation Facilitator – Revera
- Club Support Coordinator – Kin Canada
- Membership Director – YMCA
For more information on potential careers, check out our page on careers in health and helping professions.
Study at Disney World
Pack your sunscreen! Apply for our exchange with the University of Florida and Walt Disney World Resort. Learn about hospitality, marketing, and event management in one of the world’s top tourism destinations.
Build your business expertise
Along with courses from our top-ranked Recreation and Leisure Studies department, you'll gain essential skills in marketing, communications, finance, management, and more.
Ready to learn more?
- Visit the Recreation and Sport Business website
- Email Pamela Hurvid, our Applied Health Sciences recruitment co-ordinator, who can answer any questions about the program
- Subscribe to our newsletter to get tips and advice from current students
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