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
Recreation and Sport Business admission requirements
- Ontario students: 6 Grade 12 U and/or M courses including any Grade 12 U English - (final grade of 70% is required)
- Admission average: Low 80s (co-op and regular)
- An Admission Information Form is strongly recommended
- 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.
What can you do with a degree in Recreation and Sport Business?
Waterloo Recreation and Sport Business graduates commonly pursue careers in communications and events management, game operations, and more. They frequently work for sports and entertainment companies and sports teams.
Recent gradutes
- 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
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 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 Recreation and Sport Business degree
You can add additional areas of interest and expertise by including a minor or minors as part of your degree. You can focus on two areas of study (majors) by completing a double major 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 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
Learn more about Recreation and Sport Business
- Email Pamela Hurvid, our Applied Health Sciences recruitment co-ordinator, who can answer any questions about Recreation and Sport Business
- Visit the Recreation and Sport Business website
- Related programs: Recreation and Leisure Studies, Therapeutic Recreation
