From what I've heard, swim meets ARE the worst. Fortunately, that and tennis seem to be the only sports our kids skipped.
Softball
Basketball
Volleyball
Track and Cross Country
Cheerleading
Golf
Soccer
We called them the 250 sports.
Every time a new sport started, it cost us about $250. Fees, equipment, gas, snacks, etc... $250.
5 sports per season = $1250
4th-8th grades = $6250
2 kids = $12,500.
High school was not as bad because they picked one sport and that was it.
One chose track/cross country, the other chose golf. The runner would wear out shoes every month or two, so that got to be $150 a month in shoes. She was putting in 70ish miles a week. The golfer outgrew her clubs twice. Fortunately, we got loaners from the coach as she grew.
Anyhow, youth and young adult sports can get a bit costly.
Heaven help you if your kid gets into private travel leagues.