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.
Waterloo’s one-of-a-kind degree in Recreation and Sport Business gives you just that.
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.
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.
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. Now, he’s the Director of Game Entertainment and Events for the CFL's Saskatchewan Roughriders football team.
About the Recreation and Sport Business program
Apply via Recreation and Leisure Studies
Earn a Bachelor of Arts in Recreation and Sport Business
#1 in Canada for hospitality & leisure management research
Offered by the Faculty of
Applied Health Sciences
Only Recreation and Sport Business degree in Canada
First-year Recreation and Sport Business 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
REC 215 - Marketing Recreation and Sport Services
BET 100 - Essentials of Entrepreneurial Behaviour
SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology
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.
Sample upper-year Recreation and Sport Business 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
Customize your Bachelor of Arts in Recreation and Sport Business degree
You can add additional areas of interest and expertise by including a minor/minors as part of your degree. You can also complete a double degree or joint honours with your degree in Recreation and Sport Business.
Gain relevant work experience through 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 job titles
- Recreation Therapy Student
- Program Coordinator
- Promotions & Events Coordinator
- Program and Special Event Assistant
- Tournament Operations Intern
Sample co-op employers
- St Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton
- Ontario March of Dimes
- City of Waterloo
- Golf Canada
Helpful links
- Visit the Recreation and Sport Business website
