Early specialization is being touted as a necessity for any child who wants to play at a higher level, including high school teams. One purpose of this study was to investigate the pros and cons of early specialization from the perspectives of coaches, parents, and athletes. Twelve parents, 9 athletes (ages 13 – 19), and 10 coaches were interviewed. The data from 3 coaches became corrupted and are not included. Parents and athletes were fairly equally represented between a sports academy (sport and school combined) and elite gymnastics or elite travel teams. Coaches were predominantly from elite travel teams. Participants were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. Data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed by 3 independent researchers familiar with qualitative analyses. Themes were identified independently and discussed until agreement was reached. Results revealed little agreement between the groups on the pros of multiple sport participation. Specifically, athletes thought that multiple sport participation leads to specialization, fitness, psychological benefits, and individual differences that influence whether to specialize. Parents reported that multiple sport participation would provide a well-rounded sport background and was good if children were enjoying it. Coaches were very strong in their convictions about the pros of multiple sport participation, specifically, athletes become more well-rounded, athletes should choose (and not be forced to give up another sport they enjoy), athletes develop greater self-awareness, and athletes receive multiple technical training strategies from different coaches. No cons for participating in multiple sports were identified by coaches or parents. Athletes reported that multiple sport participation takes away from their focus [on one sport]. Regarding the pros for early specialization, athletes provided none. Parents indicated that early specialization was needed to play at a higher level and at some point you have to make a choice. Coaches reported that early specialization provided athletes with better coaching that leads to better development, reality is must specialize to become elite, and lucrative opportunities. Parents were critical of early specialization with the following themes emerging: not good for kids, but is today's reality, specialization depends on sport, specialization requires specialist coaches, specialization limits kids' fun, parental over-involvement, changes intensity of training, bodies develop in a different way, know when enough is enough, and have to keep sport in context of rest of your life. Burnout was the only con reported by athletes. Coaches reported that athletes are torn between multiple coaches and specializing requires a lot of time.Keyword(s): research, youth sports