If you’ve ever tried to juggle a hockey stick, your favourite racquet, a pair of soccer cleats, and a boarding pass all at once, you already know that travelling with sports gear is its own kind of athletic event.
But once you know the rules of the game, it’s a much smoother play. Let’s kick things off together.
Small sports gear that’s easy to bring on board
If you’re packing light, lots of sports items are carry-on friendly. Small sports equipment – the stuff that fits easily in a bag and won’t accidentally bump into anyone – can come onboard with you.
These include:
- Tennis and badminton racquets
- Baseballs, tennis balls, cricket balls, hockey pucks
- Sports gloves for baseball, hockey, lacrosse
- Helmets
- Goggles for skiing or swimming
Even the shin guards tossed into your soccer bag are good to go too.
If it doesn’t swing, poke, slice, or stretch across three rows of seats, they are generally welcome aboard.
Big and heavy equipment that flies in checked baggage
Some sporting gear walks into the airport looking like they own the place: tall, proud, and impossible to ignore. These pieces love to take up space, and the cabin is not the place for a surprise.
Anything long, heavy, or capable of being swung around needs to be checked. These items simply don’t play well in the cabin, such as:
- Golf clubs
- Baseball bats
- Hockey and lacrosse sticks
- Skis, snowboards, and poles
- Fishing rods with hooks over 6 cm
These items are fantastic on the field, ice or slopes, just not in a crowded cabin. Into checked baggage they go.
Cleats and skates
Sport shoes look innocent, until the cleats come out. Those sharp spikes may be perfect for the field, but in a crowded airplane, not so much.
Cleats
Cleated footwear in carry-on baggage is permitted only if the cleats measure 6 cm or less. If the cleats are longer than 6 cm, the shoes must go in checked baggage. To avoid holdups and surprises, keep the shoes in plain view at screening.
Skates
Skates play by a different set of rules. Ice skates and inline skates are allowed in your carry-on as long as the blades are not detachable. If the blades can be removed, they must be packed in checked baggage.
To avoid poking holes in your bag, packing them with a soft cover or a bit of padding goes a long way for both your gear and the screening officer.
Fishing gear takes extra attention
If your trip isn’t complete without casting a line, you’ll be happy to know you can still bring a few fishing essentials along for the ride.
Most anglers can keep a few fishing essentials in their carry-on, but there’s one big rule to reel in: fishing hooks and lures that measure 6 cm or less are allowed in your carry-on, anything bigger belongs in your checked baggage.
Fishing rods get the same treatment. If your rod has small hooks, it can usually come along in your carry-on. But once those hooks get longer, the whole setup needs to go into checked baggage.
Skateboards roll through security
Your skateboard may be the coolest thing you own but walking it up to airport security can feel like introducing a new friend.
The good news? In Canada, your skateboard can come with you in your carry-on. But it’s still one of those items you want to pack strategically. Wrapping your board or strapping it t securely to your carry-on helps keep things smooth and avoids it rolling away.
Remember: If you’re flying outside of Canada, other countries have different rules about skateboards in the cabin. While your skateboard is welcome on Canadian flights, it’s always smart to check out your destination’s regulations before heading out.
Quick Tips for Smooth Screening
Even sporty travellers appreciate a good warm-up. Here’s some fast pre-checkpoint tips:
- Clean your equipment. Residue can trigger alarms.
- Measure anything sharp, spiky, or hooked. 6 cm is the magic number.
- Check airline rules for oversized gear.
Support is always available
If you need extra help before you travel, you can check CATSA's What can I bring Tool, and feel free to ask us on X/Twitter or Facebook
You can also call our customer service line at 1-888-294-2202
Ready to score
Travelling with sports equipment doesn’t need to feel like lining up for a penalty shot. Once you know what can join you on your flight and what needs to be checked, the whole process becomes smooth and predictable.
Safe travels and play ball!