A sponsor or two can help pay for ice, tournaments and gear, and nobody has to sell chocolate bars to make it happen. This guide covers who to ask, what to offer, how to build a simple sponsorship package, and how to keep track of the money. There are also three free templates you can copy: a request letter, a one-page package and a thank-you letter.

One thing before you start: keep your association's sponsorship policy handy. Rules are different from place to place, so check what's allowed before you call any business.

Why do hockey teams look for sponsors?

Sponsors take some of the money pressure off families. A local business gives the team some support, and the team thanks them in ways people can see. It's simpler than a product sale or a big event, and it ties local businesses to the team.

Most teams use sponsor money to:

  • Lower family fees: so each family pays less;
  • Pay for ice: practice ice, game ice or referee fees;
  • Help with tournaments: entry fees, hotels, meals or the bus;
  • Buy gear or apparel: shared equipment, jerseys or team bags;
  • Cover team events: the year-end party, coach gifts or a team outing.

Some teams put sponsor money in the budget and lower fees to match. Others use it for extras. Either way, the point is to make hockey easier to afford.

What should we check with our association first?

Read your association's sponsorship policy before you ask anyone. What's fine for one team may not be allowed for another.

  • Which kinds of sponsors are allowed, and which aren't.
  • Whether your team can ask businesses directly or has to go through the association.
  • How sponsor money has to be deposited, tracked and reported.
  • What thank-yous you can offer, like jersey logos, banners, social media posts or game-day mentions.
  • What paperwork the treasurer needs to keep for each sponsor.
  • Whether sponsor money has to lower everyone's fees the same way.

Your association may already have sponsors of its own, or businesses it doesn't want teams to approach. Ask first so you don't promise something you can't deliver.

To see what Ontario minor hockey associations publish on this, look at the Sponsorship topic in the Governance Library. For fundraising guidance, see the Fundraising topic.

How do I find a sponsor for my hockey team?

Start close to home. Ask businesses that already know your team, your families or your town.

Who should we ask?

  • Local shops and restaurants: places your families already go;
  • Trades and services: plumbers, electricians, contractors, landscapers, snow removal or heating and cooling companies;
  • Parents' employers: places where team parents work;
  • Banks and credit unions: local branches that back community programs;
  • Car dealers and auto shops: dealerships, repair shops, tire shops or body shops;
  • Health offices: clinics, dentists or physiotherapy centres;
  • Real estate agents: agents who work in your area;
  • Stores: sporting goods shops, grocers or family-owned businesses.

What kinds of companies sponsor youth sports teams?

Mostly small and mid-sized local businesses. They care about the community, and a team sponsorship fits their budget better than big advertising does. Big national companies do sponsor youth sports sometimes, but usually through formal programs or deals with the whole association. Your best bet as a team is the businesses down the street.

What can we offer a sponsor?

Sponsors want to be seen and thanked. What you can offer depends on your association's rules, but common options are:

  • Jersey bar or patch: their logo on game or practice jerseys;
  • Rink banner: a banner at your home arena;
  • Social media thank-you: posts on the team's accounts;
  • Logo on the team page: their logo and link on the team website;
  • Thank-you plaque: a framed certificate or plaque for their wall;
  • Game-day mention: a thank-you at home games.

Keep it simple. Only promise what you can actually do all season.

When is the best time to ask?

Before the season starts, usually in spring or early summer. Businesses plan their community budgets early, and your team needs to know its sponsor money before you set family fees.

It's not too late once the season is going, though. Some businesses still have room, especially if you can show them what the team is up to.

If a business sponsored you last season, check in with them a few months before the new one. Keeping a sponsor is easier than finding a new one.

How do we put together a simple sponsorship package?

Keep it to one friendly page. It should say who your team is, what you're working toward, what the sponsor gets, and what each level includes, with the amount left blank for your team to fill in.

Step 1: Pick your sponsor levels

Levels make it easier for a business to say yes. They can pick what fits their budget and see what they get back. Here's a simple three-level setup. Change the names and thank-yous to suit your team and your association's rules, and leave the amounts blank.

Gold Sponsor: $____

  • Logo on game jerseys
  • Recognition at all home games
  • Social media mentions throughout the season
  • Logo and link on the team website

Silver Sponsor: $____

  • Logo on practice jerseys or team banner
  • Recognition at select games
  • One social media thank-you post
  • Name listed on the team website

Bronze Sponsor: $____

  • Name listed on team website or in programs
  • Thank-you mention in team communications
  • Verbal recognition at one home game

One level is fine too, if that suits your team better.

Step 2: Put it on one page

Include:

  • Your team name, level and association;
  • A short note on what the team needs and how a sponsor helps;
  • Your sponsor levels, what each one includes, and blank amounts;
  • Your contact information.

The package template below is set up this way. Download it, fill in your details and share it.

Step 3: Ask in person

A quick visit or phone call works better than a cold email. Say who you are, what the team is working toward, and ask if they'd think about sponsoring. If they're interested, leave them the one-page package so they can look it over.

Step 4: Say thank you

When a business says yes, send a thank-you letter, give them a receipt if your association needs one, and do what you promised. Keep them posted through the season.

Free sponsorship request letter template

Copy the text below or download the Word version. Fill in your team's details and contact information.

[Your Team Name]
[Association Name]
[Season Year]

Dear [Business Owner or Manager Name],

My name is [Your Name], and I'm helping out with the [Team Name], a [Division/Level] hockey team in the [Association Name]. We're reaching out to a few local businesses in [City/Community Name] to ask for your support this season.

Our team has [Number] players aged [Age Range] from [Community/Area]. We're hoping to lower family fees, help with ice time and tournament costs, and give every kid a great season of hockey.

If you're able to sponsor us, here's how we'd like to say thank you:

Gold Sponsor: $____

  • Logo on game jerseys
  • Recognition at all home games
  • Social media mentions throughout the season
  • Logo and link on the team website

Silver Sponsor: $____

  • Logo on practice jerseys or team banner
  • Recognition at select games
  • One social media thank-you post
  • Name listed on the team website

Bronze Sponsor: $____

  • Name listed on team website or in programs
  • Thank-you mention in team communications
  • Verbal recognition at one home game

We'll make sure your business is thanked at games and in our team updates all through the [Season].

Thanks so much for thinking about it. I'm happy to answer any questions. You can reach me at [Your Email] or [Your Phone Number].

Sincerely,

[Your Name]
[Your Role, e.g., Team Manager or Fundraising Coordinator]
[Team Name]

Download the Sponsorship Request Letter Template

Change the wording and levels to fit your team and your association's rules. It works for any youth sports team, not just hockey.

Free sponsorship package template (one-page)

This page gives a business a quick look at your team, what you're offering and how to reach you. The three levels have blank amounts so you and the business can agree on what works.

[Your Team Name] Sponsorship Opportunities
[Association Name] | [Season Year]

About our team

The [Team Name] is a [Division/Level] minor hockey team in the [Association Name]. We have [Number] players aged [Age Range] from [Community/Area], and we play our home games at [Arena Name] in [City].

How a sponsor helps

Sponsors help us lower family fees, pay for ice time and tournaments, buy equipment, and give every player a great season.

Sponsor levels

Each level comes with a thank-you all season long.

Gold Sponsor: $____

  • Logo on game jerseys
  • Recognition at all home games
  • Social media mentions throughout the season
  • Logo and link on the team website

Silver Sponsor: $____

  • Logo on practice jerseys or team banner
  • Recognition at select games
  • One social media thank-you post
  • Name listed on the team website

Bronze Sponsor: $____

  • Name listed on team website or in programs
  • Thank-you mention in team communications
  • Verbal recognition at one home game

How to sponsor us

If you'd like to help, please get in touch:

[Your Name]
[Your Role, e.g., Team Manager or Fundraising Coordinator]
[Your Email]
[Your Phone Number]

Thank you for thinking of the [Team Name] and local minor hockey.

Download the Sponsorship Package Template

Fill in your details, print it, and bring it along when you visit. It works for any youth sports team.

Free sponsor thank-you letter template

Always thank sponsors in writing. A short, honest note shows you mean it and reminds them how you'll recognize them.

[Your Team Name]
[Association Name]
[Season Year]

Dear [Business Owner or Manager Name],

Thank you for sponsoring the [Team Name] this season. It means a lot to our players and their families.

Your [Tier Name, e.g., Gold Sponsor] support will help us [briefly describe how the money will be used, e.g., lower family fees, cover tournament costs, or buy new equipment]. We're grateful you're backing local minor hockey.

As we talked about, we'll thank your business through the season by [list the specific recognition they'll receive, e.g., displaying your logo on our game jerseys, thanking you at home games, and mentioning you on social media].

We'll keep you posted on how the season goes. If you'd like to come out to a home game at [Arena Name], we'd love to see you there.

Thanks again,

[Your Name]
[Your Role, e.g., Team Manager or Fundraising Coordinator]
[Team Name]

Download the Sponsor Thank-You Letter Template

Send it as soon as the sponsor says yes, then follow through on what you promised.

How do we track sponsor money?

Keep sponsor money separate from parent fees, and give each sponsor its own line. That way you can show who gave and how much.

If your team uses HuddleBooks, you can set up a sponsorship category and attach the paperwork to each transaction. If you use a spreadsheet, give each sponsor its own row and make sure every deposit is explained.

What records should we keep?

  • The sponsor's name, the amount pledged, the date it came in and how it was paid.
  • Deposit slips, e-transfer confirmations or bank records for each sponsor.
  • A copy of the letter or agreement showing what you promised.
  • When you delivered each thank-you, like the day jerseys were printed or the post went up.
  • A sponsor summary at the end of the season with every sponsor and the total raised.

What should we tell families?

Parents like to know how much sponsors gave. Once sponsors are confirmed, send a short update with:

  • The total sponsor money for the season;
  • How it's being used;
  • Any change to family fees or team plans.

Keep it short and stick to the facts. Being open builds trust, and it helps next year's asks too.

For more on handling team money, see the hockey team treasurer checklist and hockey team budget template.

How do sponsors fit into the season budget?

Put sponsors in the budget from day one. Show your target, who you're asking, and what you expect to bring in.

Don't count a sponsor until the money is confirmed. Keep confirmed money and hoped-for money apart so families see the real picture. If sponsors come up short, families or another fundraiser may need to cover the gap.

Use the hockey team budget template to plan sponsor money with the rest of your budget. For more ways to raise money, see hockey team fundraising ideas and the Fundraising topic in the Governance Library.

How does HuddleBooks help teams track sponsors?

HuddleBooks gives your team one shared place for sponsor money. You can set up a sponsorship category in your budget, bring in bank transactions with a daily sync, attach sponsor letters and receipts, and keep it all reconciled through the season. Parents can log in and see where the team's money stands, sponsors included, without waiting on the treasurer for an update.

Take a look at the HuddleBooks demo to see how it fits together.

Frequently asked questions

Can any business sponsor a youth hockey team?

Follow your association's sponsorship policy. Most associations let local businesses sponsor teams, but some rule out certain kinds of businesses or need board approval first. Check before you say yes to anyone.

How much do hockey team sponsors usually give?

It really depends on the business, your community, what you're offering and what the sponsor can afford. That's why the templates leave the amounts blank, so you and the business can agree on what works.

Do we need to give sponsors a tax receipt?

It depends on how your association is set up and the rules where you live. If your association is a registered charity, it may be able to issue official donation receipts. If not, you can still give the sponsor a simple written receipt with the amount and the team name, but it may not count for a tax deduction. Check with your association or a tax professional.

Can we offer the same sponsorship to more than one business?

Yes, unless your association says otherwise. Lots of teams have more than one sponsor at the same level. Just make sure you have room on the jerseys, banners and everything else to deliver what you promised to each of them.

What if a sponsor can't give money but wants to help?

Some businesses would rather give goods or services, like ice time, equipment, team meals, printing or a bus. This is called an in-kind sponsorship. Write down the fair value of what they gave, thank them the same way you would a cash sponsor, and follow your association's rules for non-cash gifts.

How do we thank sponsors during the season?

Do what you promised: show their logo, thank them at games, post about them, or add their name to the team website. Send them a short update now and then, and invite them out to a home game.

Sources and further reading

This article is general information, not legal, accounting, tax or regulatory advice. Please follow the sponsorship and money rules that apply to your association and where you live.