Free Donation Pickups for Used Sporting Goods and Athletic Gear
DonateYourStuff.ca provides free scheduled donation pickup for qualifying sports equipment across the GTA and select surrounding communities. We accept hockey gear, baseball equipment, balls, racquets, golf clubs, skates, team uniforms and sports accessories.
Sports equipment should be clean, safe, complete and usable. Matching pieces, protective gear, equipment bags and accessories should be kept with the sporting goods they belong to.
Submit a pickup request with your location, the sports represented, the approximate number of bags, boxes and larger items and a general description of what you have. We will review your request and contact you by email about pickup availability.
Sports Equipment Donations We Accept
Sports equipment can include gear for team sports, racquet sports, golf, skating, winter activities and general recreation. Balls need to hold air, sticks and racquets need to be structurally sound, and sets should include the main pieces needed for normal use.
The sections below explain the types of sports equipment we accept and what to check before adding them to your pickup request.
Why Condition Matters
Sports equipment needs to remain safe and usable because damaged gear can fail during normal use and may create a risk of injury.
Cracked sticks, broken bats, damaged skates, worn protective gear and equipment with loose or missing parts cannot simply be passed along for continued use. Equipment that is mouldy, heavily contaminated or otherwise unusable also creates disposal work instead of functioning as a reusable donation.
Checking your sporting goods before donating helps make sure more of what we collect can stay in circulation and continue to be used.
We reserve the right to decline sports equipment at pickup if it is broken, unsafe, heavily worn, contaminated, incomplete, recalled or otherwise unsuitable for reuse.
Hockey & Ringette Equipment
We accept qualifying:
- Hockey sticks
- Ringette sticks
- Hockey gloves
- Shoulder pads
- Elbow pads
- Shin pads
- Hockey pants
- Hockey skates
- Goalie skates
- Hockey jerseys
- Hockey socks
- Practice jerseys
- Pucks
- Rings
- Skate guards
- Hockey bags
- Goalie bags of manageable size
- Training cones
- Shooting targets
- Small training aids
- Equipment accessories
Hockey and ringette equipment should be clean, dry and free from mould, heavy rust, broken straps, split padding and significant damage.
Skates should have secure blades, intact holders and boots that are not cracked or separating.
We cannot accept used hockey helmets or other used sports helmets.
Baseball & Softball Equipment
We accept qualifying:
- Baseball bats
- Softball bats
- Baseball gloves
- Softball gloves
- Catcher’s mitts
- Baseballs
- Softballs
- Batting gloves
- Bases
- Batting tees
- Catcher’s chest protectors
- Catcher’s shin guards
- Equipment bags
- Ball bags
- Portable practice nets
- Training cones
- Pitching targets
- Scorekeeping accessories
- Team uniforms
Bats should be free from serious cracks, sharp damage, loose end caps and structural problems.
Gloves should be clean and usable, with intact webbing and laces. Catcher’s equipment should have secure straps, buckles and padding.
Used batting helmets and catcher’s helmets cannot be accepted.
Soccer, Basketball & Volleyball Equipment
We accept qualifying:
- Soccer balls
- Basketballs
- Volleyballs
- Indoor soccer balls
- Futsal balls
- Soccer cleats
- Basketball shoes
- Volleyball shoes
- Shin guards
- Volleyball knee pads
- Team jerseys
- Team shorts
- Practice pinnies
- Warm-up clothing
- Ball pumps
- Training cones
- Agility ladders
- Ball bags
- Equipment bags
- Portable nets of manageable size
- Small practice goals
- Coaching boards
- Whistles
- Referee clothing and accessories
Balls should hold air and remain suitable for normal play.
Shoes and cleats should be clean, paired together and free from heavy wear, separation, damaged soles or broken studs.
Portable nets and goals should be complete, stable and small enough to be safely collected.
Tennis, Badminton, Pickleball & Racquet Sports
We accept qualifying:
- Tennis racquets
- Badminton racquets
- Squash racquets
- Racquetball racquets
- Pickleball paddles
- Table tennis paddles
- Tennis balls
- Pickleballs
- Racquetballs
- Squash balls
- Shuttlecocks
- Racquet covers
- Racquet bags
- Ball hoppers
- Portable nets
- Table tennis nets
- Replacement grips
- Training equipment
- Complete racquet sets
Racquets and paddles should have intact frames and handles.
Normal grip wear may be acceptable, but equipment with cracked frames, sharp edges, severe warping or broken handles cannot be accepted.
Keep matching racquets, paddles, balls, shuttlecocks, nets and accessories together whenever possible.
Golf Equipment
We accept qualifying:
- Golf clubs
- Complete golf club sets
- Drivers
- Fairway woods
- Irons
- Wedges
- Putters
- Junior golf clubs
- Golf bags
- Golf balls
- Golf shoes
- Golf gloves in clean condition
- Club covers
- Practice putting equipment
- Ball retrievers
- Golf umbrellas
- Portable pull carts
- Small training aids
- Golf accessories
Golf clubs should have secure heads, straight shafts and intact grips.
Keep complete sets together in their golf bag whenever possible. Place loose golf balls and small accessories in a sealed container or pocket.
Powered golf carts and oversized equipment cannot be accepted.
Skating & Winter Sports Equipment
We accept qualifying:
- Hockey skates
- Figure skates
- Recreational skates
- Roller skates
- Rollerblades
- Skis
- Snowboards
- Ski boots
- Snowboard boots
- Ski poles
- Snowboard bindings
- Ski bags
- Snowboard bags
- Sleds of manageable size
- Toboggans of manageable size
- Skate guards
- Winter sports bags
- Small winter training equipment
Skates should have intact boots, secure blades or wheels and working closures.
Skis and snowboards should be free from serious cracks, separation, exposed structural damage and heavily damaged bindings.
Please provide photographs and approximate dimensions for skis, snowboards, sleds and other longer equipment when submitting your pickup request.
Used ski, snowboard, skating and cycling helmets cannot be accepted.
Football, Rugby & Field Sports Equipment
We accept qualifying:
- Footballs
- Rugby balls
- Lacrosse sticks
- Lacrosse balls
- Field hockey sticks
- Field hockey balls
- Football gloves
- Lacrosse gloves
- Shoulder pads
- Arm guards
- Shin guards
- Cleats
- Jerseys
- Practice uniforms
- Equipment bags
- Training cones
- Agility equipment
- Portable field markers
- Ball pumps
- Small coaching equipment
Sticks should be straight, structurally sound and free from cracks or sharp damage.
Pads and guards should be clean and have secure straps and closures.
Football, lacrosse and field sports helmets cannot be accepted.
Boxing, Martial Arts & Training Equipment
We accept qualifying:
- Boxing gloves
- Training gloves
- Focus mitts
- Kick pads
- Strike shields
- Body protectors
- Chest protectors
- Martial arts uniforms
- Boxing robes
- Equipment bags
- Skipping ropes
- Training cones
- Agility equipment
- Small freestanding training accessories
Training pads and gloves should be clean, dry and free from split seams, exposed padding, mould and strong odours.
Used mouthguards, personal protective cups, heavily worn hand wraps and equipment that cannot be properly cleaned cannot be accepted.
General Sports & Recreation Equipment
We also accept qualifying:
- Frisbees and flying discs
- Disc golf equipment
- Bowling balls
- Bowling bags
- Bowling shoes
- Darts and dartboards
- Horseshoe sets
- Bocce sets
- Croquet sets
- Lawn bowling equipment
- Playground balls
- Hula hoops
- Skipping ropes
- Beanbag toss sets
- Ladder toss games
- Sports cones
- Ball pumps
- Scoreboards of manageable size
- Coaching equipment
- Training markers
- Sports storage racks of manageable size
Sets should contain the essential pieces required for normal use.
Bowling balls and other heavy equipment must be packed so every container remains safe for one person to lift.
Sports Equipment Donations We Cannot Accept
We cannot accept sports equipment that is unsafe, unusable, heavily contaminated, recalled, excessively worn or improperly prepared.
Please do not donate:
- Used sports helmets
- Used bicycle helmets
- Used hockey helmets
- Used football helmets
- Used baseball or batting helmets
- Used lacrosse helmets
- Used ski or snowboard helmets
- Used mouthguards
- Used protective cups or similar personal protective items
- Recalled sports or safety equipment
- Cracked hockey or lacrosse sticks
- Broken or splintered bats
- Golf clubs with loose heads or broken shafts
- Racquets with cracked frames or broken handles
- Skates with loose, broken or heavily rusted blades
- Skates with cracked or separating boots
- Damaged protective gear
- Pads with split shells or exposed padding
- Equipment with broken straps, buckles or closures
- Balls that do not hold air
- Shoes or cleats with separating soles
- Heavily worn or damaged athletic footwear
- Wet or damp sports equipment
- Equipment affected by mould or mildew
- Items with strong odours that cannot be removed
- Equipment exposed to pests
- Equipment with blood, bodily fluids or other contamination
- Heavily rusted equipment
- Broken portable goals or nets
- Incomplete equipment that cannot be used
- Large permanent basketball systems
- In-ground sports equipment
- Oversized goals or nets
- Trampolines
- Large exercise machines
- Motorized sports equipment
- Equipment requiring more than one person to lift safely
- Sports equipment mixed with garbage
- Equipment packed in wet or collapsing boxes
- Containers that are too heavy to lift safely
- Items that have not been prepared for pickup
Items that do not meet our donation standards may be declined at pickup.
How Much Sports Equipment is Needed for Pickup?
Our pickup service is intended for sports equipment donations large enough to reasonably justify sending a vehicle to your location.
One ball, one racquet, one hockey stick or one pair of skates will usually not qualify for pickup on its own.
A donation is more likely to qualify when it includes:
- Several boxes or bags of sporting goods
- One or more full hockey or equipment bags
- Multiple pairs of skates, cleats or athletic shoes
- Several sticks, bats, racquets or paddles
- A complete golf club set with a golf bag
- Equipment from several different sports
- A complete family garage or storage cleanout
- A team, league or school equipment collection
- Sports equipment combined with other accepted donation categories
How to Prepare Sports Equipment for Donation Pickup
Please prepare all sporting goods and athletic equipment before your scheduled pickup.
Separate equipment by sport: Group hockey, baseball, soccer, basketball, volleyball, golf, racquet sports, skating and other equipment separately whenever possible.
Inspect every item: Remove broken, recalled, heavily worn, mouldy or unsafe equipment. Check for cracks, sharp edges, loose parts, split padding, damaged straps and other problems.
Clean hard equipment: Wipe sticks, bats, clubs, racquets, balls, skates, pads and other hard-surface equipment so it is free from dirt, mud, grass, food residue and heavy dust.
Wash fabric equipment: Wash uniforms, jerseys, warm-up clothing and other washable fabric items according to their care instructions. Everything must be fully dry before packing.
Air out bags and padded gear: Empty sports bags completely and allow gloves, pads and other padded equipment to dry. Do not pack equipment while it is damp.
Check balls: Inflate soccer balls, basketballs, volleyballs, footballs and other inflatable sports balls enough to confirm that they hold air.
Pair footwear: Tie or secure matching skates, cleats and athletic shoes together. Do not mix unrelated or unmatched footwear in the same box.
Protect skate blades: Use skate guards or securely cover exposed blades with strong cardboard before packing.
Bundle long equipment: Keep hockey sticks, lacrosse sticks, bats, golf clubs and similar equipment together. Secure bundles without bending or damaging the equipment.
Keep sets together: Keep golf club sets, racquet sets, team uniforms, training sets, nets, poles and accessories together.
Secure small accessories: Place balls, pucks, shuttlecocks, cones, whistles, grips, pumps and other small items in sealed bags, boxes or containers.
Disassemble larger items only when necessary: If a portable net or practice goal must be taken apart, place all hardware in a labelled bag and make sure the equipment can be reassembled.
Photograph larger equipment: Include clear photographs and approximate dimensions for portable goals, nets, skis, snowboards, sleds and other larger items.
Use strong, manageable containers: Use several boxes or bags instead of creating one container that is too heavy to lift safely.
Label everything clearly: Use labels such as Hockey Equipment, Baseball Gear, Soccer Equipment, Golf Clubs, Racquet Sports, Skates, Team Uniforms or Sports Accessories.
Keep everything dry: Store prepared equipment indoors, in a dry garage or in another protected location until pickup.
Separate unacceptable equipment: Do not mix helmets, broken equipment, contaminated gear or other unacceptable items with the sports equipment approved for collection.
For complete instructions, review our how to prepare your donations page before pickup.
How Sports Equipment Pickup Works
Step 1: Submit your pickup request: Complete the online form and provide your location, the types of sports equipment included, approximate quantities, number of boxes and bags, and details about any larger items. Mention any hockey bags, golf bags, skis, snowboards, portable nets or additional donation categories.
Step 2: We review your donation: We review your service location, estimated volume, equipment categories, overall condition, packaging, larger items, other accepted donations, available vehicle space and current route availability. We may request photographs or additional information by email.
Step 3: Receive email confirmation: Your pickup is only scheduled after you receive confirmation by email. Preferred dates and times submitted through the form are requests and are not automatically secured.
Step 4: Prepare and stage your equipment: Clean, inspect, organize and pack all approved sports equipment. Place longer or larger items together and clearly separate everything from items that should not be collected.
Step 5: We collect the approved equipment: Once your pickup is confirmed, our team collects the approved sporting goods. Equipment that is broken, unsafe, recalled, contaminated, improperly packed or significantly different from what was described may be declined.
How Your Donations Help
Donating used sports equipment does more than clear space from a garage, basement, locker room or storage area.
It helps:
- Keep reusable sports equipment and athletic gear in circulation
- Give outgrown or unused sporting goods another opportunity to be used
- Extend the useful life of sticks, skates, racquets, clubs, balls and uniforms
- Keep reusable sporting goods out of landfills
- Reduce waste created by replacing usable athletic equipment
- Create local work connected to pickup, sorting, preparation and distribution
- Support the continued expansion of the Thrift Society reuse network
- Help provide direct financial relief through our Family Relief Program
- Build a stronger culture of reuse in Canadian communities
Sports Equipment Donation Pickup Areas
Schedule Your Free Sports Equipment Pickup
Have several boxes, bags or a larger collection of used sports equipment ready to donate?
Submit a pickup request with your location, the sports represented, approximate quantities and the total number of bags, boxes and larger items.
Tell us if the donation includes hockey equipment, golf clubs, skates, team uniforms, racquets, skis, snowboards, portable nets or other accepted donation categories.
We will review your request and contact you by email regarding availability.
Once approved, clean and inspect the equipment, keep matching items together and pack everything securely. We handle the collection so you do not have to transport the entire sports equipment donation to a donation centre.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I donate sports equipment near me?
DonateYourStuff.ca provides scheduled sporting equipment donation pickup in select Ontario communities.
Check our donation pickup service areas page to confirm whether pickup is available in your city.
Can I drop off sports equipment instead of requesting pickup?
DonateYourStuff.ca provides a scheduled pickup service and does not operate a public sports equipment drop-off location.
Submit a pickup request with the amount of equipment you have and your location so we can determine whether the donation qualifies.
Can I choose where my sports equipment goes?
No specific recipient, organization or destination can be guaranteed.
Accepted items are directed through the Thrift Society reuse network based on their condition, usefulness and current opportunities for continued use.
Can I donate sports equipment with a name or team number on it?
Team names, logos and player numbers do not usually need to be removed.
Personal information such as full names, addresses, phone numbers or identification labels should be removed from equipment and bags before pickup whenever possible.
What should I do with broken sports equipment you cannot accept?
Broken, unsafe, recalled or unusable sports equipment should not be included with your donation.
Recycling and disposal options vary by material and municipality. Check your local municipal waste guidelines or a specialized sports equipment recycling program for the correct option.
Do you accept sports equipment donations throughout the year?
Pickup requests can be submitted throughout the year.
Approval depends on your location, donation volume, equipment condition, available vehicle space and current scheduled routes.
Who We Are
DonateYourStuff.ca is the official donation pickup arm of Thrift Society, a Canadian social reuse initiative that keeps useful goods in circulation while creating local employment, supporting family relief and reducing waste.
Every qualifying sports equipment donation helps:
- Keep sports equipment, uniforms and athletic gear in circulation
- Give used sporting goods another opportunity to be used
- Create Canadian work connected to pickup, sorting, preparation and distribution
- Reduce waste by keeping reusable equipment out of landfills
- Support the continued expansion of the Thrift Society reuse network
- Help provide direct financial relief through our Family Relief Program
A portion of the value created through donated items helps support the Family Relief Program and other work connected to the continued growth of the initiative.
Other Donations We Accept
- DVDs & Blu-rays
- VHS Tapes
- Cassette Tapes
- Vinyl Records
- Books & Learning Materials
- Household Items & Small Furniture
- Kitchen & Dining
- Clothing & Accessories
- Baby Items
- Arts, Crafts & Sewing
- Tools & Home Improvement
- Electronics
- Musical Instruments & Audio Gear
- Fitness & Exercise Equipment
- Sporting Goods
- Camping & The Outdoors
- Holiday, Costumes & Seasonal
- Mobility & Medical Aids
- Pet Supplies
- Office & School Supplies
- Jewelry & Accessories
- Collectibles & Memorabilia
- Wall Art & Home Décor
- Bedding, Linens & Textiles