Guide

How do you start an AAU basketball team?

To start an AAU basketball team, the club organizer must register a club with AAU, then register every athlete and every coach as individual AAU members.

Updated Sep 29, 2026

Step 1: The organizer registers as an individual first

Before you can form a club, you need your own AAU membership. After your individual registration clears, you can apply for a club. AAU says clearance can take anywhere from 3 to 10 business days. Once you receive a confirmation email, you can complete a club application.

Step 2: Choose a club level

AAU offers club levels A, B, and C, as well as Tier 1, 2, and 3. The sources do not explain the differences between those levels in detail. For questions, AAU lists a contact email — [email protected] — and a phone number. The sources note that AAU is no longer accepting new applicants for Non-Profit Club Tiers. Once you pay, you receive a club code. Give that code to every coach and athlete so they can affiliate with your club.

Step 3: Register every athlete

Every athlete must have an individual AAU membership. Parents can create an account and purchase a youth athlete membership directly. They enter the club code during the application so the athlete appears in your club listing. Alternatively, a club contact can import an athlete list for a bulk purchase. The youth athlete membership fee is $22.00 for regular membership or $24.00 for extended coverage membership.

Step 4: Register every coach

Coaches must purchase a non-athlete membership. The one-year non-athlete membership fee is $55.00 regular or $57.00 with extended benefit. A two-year option costs $75.00 regular or $79.00 with extended benefit. Every coach must also complete a background screening through NCSI, AAU's background screening provider. After purchasing a membership, a coach receives an email from NCSI to start that process. AAU says to allow up to 10 business days for the background check to clear, and coaches must be registered before tryouts, practices, or events.

Step 5: Handle insurance for your practice facility

Your club membership includes a free Verification of Insurance certificate you can print for practice facilities. If a facility wants to be named as additionally insured, you must apply separately for a Practice Insurance Certificate. The sources do not give a fee for that certificate.

What the sources do not cover

The AAU sources do not address how to find players for a new team, how to schedule gym time, what it costs to enter tournaments beyond the membership fees listed above, or how to find paid coaching staff. Those are real questions for a new team organizer, and the sources are silent on them.

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