Video Description

Learn how to find the right wrestling space in this 5 minute video. You’ll learn how to get a place for your team to train without breaking the bank. Learn how to use license agreements and MOU’s to save your program money.

Lesson Resources

Lesson Overview.

Finding the right training space is one of the biggest financial and logistical decisions for a new wrestling club. Facility costs are often the main reason clubs struggle to stay open, especially if they commit to long-term, high-rent spaces too early. Unlike many high school programs that have their own dedicated rooms, most youth and private clubs need to be creative – similar to how sports like soccer or hockey book fields or ice time rather than owning them outright.

When starting a Level 1 program, flexibility and affordability should guide your facility choices. Instead of immediately committing to a permanent lease, consider short-term agreements or community spaces that allow you to grow at a sustainable pace.

Facility Agreement Options.

Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs)

An MOU is a simple written agreement that outlines the terms of using a facility. It’s often used with community partners like churches or recreation centers. While not legally binding like a lease, an MOU provides clarity on schedules, responsibilities, and costs without the formality of a rental contract.

License Agreements

A license agreement allows you to use a facility for certain hours or purposes without giving you tenancy rights. These are legally binding contracts that give you more of a guarantee to use a space for during given daily times over a period of months or years. For example, renting mat time by the hour at an academy or reserving a church gym for practices.

Leases & Subleases

A lease or sublease is a formal rental agreement for dedicated space. These can be month-to-month, seasonal, or multi-year commitments. While a lease gives you more control over the facility, it also comes with higher costs and greater risk. Entering into a long-term lease too early can require large membership numbers just to break even. Clubs should only consider this step once they have steady enrollment and reliable revenue. If you are not running training sessions three days a week for 5 hours a day, a long term lease will likely eat into your profits.

Tips for Finding the Right Facility.

  • Start Small and Flexible – Avoid committing to a full-time lease at the beginning; look for hourly or seasonal space agreements. Six- to twelve-month agreements provide more stability than short seasonal bookings, but don’t overcommit early.
  • Use License Agreements or MOUs – Formalize your use of a space without the financial burden of a long-term lease.
  • Prioritize Low-Cost Community Spaces – Churches, parishes, VFW halls, and other community centers often provide affordable, underutilized space. Be cautious with schools as renting from public schools often comes with high costs, compliance hurdles, and limited flexibility.
  • Avoid Oversized Spaces – Don’t rent more square footage than you need to start; grow into larger facilities as enrollment increases.
  • Run the Numbers First – Calculate how many wrestlers you’d need to break even before agreeing to any lease.
  • Match Space to Usage – Since most clubs only use space 12–18 hours per week, paying for a full-time facility often isn’t cost-effective early on. Think like other sports, most soccer and hockey programs don’t own their fields or rinks – they rent time. Wrestling can work the same way.
  • Keep Long-Term Options in Mind – explore longer leases, subleases, or eventually owning your own facility.

Next Lesson.

Lesson 2. Forming a Business Entity: LLC vs 501(c)(3)

Learn the key differences between starting as an LLC or a nonprofit and how each structure affects your club’s operations and funding options.