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, 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! Take advantage of our exchange with the University of Florida and Walt Disney World Resort to learn about tourism, hospitality, and event management in one of the world’s leading 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, using his knowledge and experience from university to launch his career.
About Recreation and Sport Business
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 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
1 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.
Sample upper-year courses
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 in sport management
Upon graduation from Recreation and Sports Business, you'll be well prepared to pursue a career in sport management, to start your own business, or to continue your education with an MBA or other graduate program. Graduates work for major league sports teams, non-profit organizations, community recreation programs, and a variety of businesses.
Recent graduates
- Human Resources Coordinator, Diageo Canada Inc.
- Events Assistant, Canada Place Corporation
- Owner, Midas Event Supply
- Teacher, Toronto District School Board
- League Manager, Canlan Ice Sports Corp.
- 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.
Helpful links
- Visit the Recreation and Sport Business website
