PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1806439
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1806439
Sports encompass both group games and individual activities that require physical activity and skill. Engaging in sports aids in overcoming challenges and achieving victory. Participation in sports provides a constructive outlet for releasing pressure and tension, contributing to improved mood and concentration.
Two primary categories of sports are spectator sports and participatory sports. Spectator sports involve the presentation of sporting events by teams, clubs, or independent athletes. Revenue streams for these sports include media rights, merchandising, ticket sales, and sponsorship, with various ownership structures such as chained and standalone entities.
Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.
The sudden escalation of U.S. tariffs and the resulting trade tensions in spring 2025 are significantly affecting the recreation sector, especially in the supply of imported sports gear, outdoor equipment, and leisure products. Manufacturers and retailers are grappling with increased costs for goods like bicycles, camping supplies, fitness equipment, and gaming consoles-many of which rely heavily on international supply chains with few domestic alternatives. Small recreational retailers are particularly vulnerable, with some cutting back on stock or raising prices to manage shrinking profit margins. Event organizers and recreational venues are also experiencing rising costs for imported materials and equipment. In response, the industry is shifting toward suppliers in non-tariff regions, boosting local procurement efforts, and advocating for tariff exemptions on widely used recreational goods.
The sports market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides sports market statistics, including sports industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a sports market share, detailed sports market segments, market trends, and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the sports industry. This sports market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.
The sports market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $470.42 billion in 2024 to $495.38 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.3%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to strong economic growth in emerging markets, rapid growth in ecommerce, rapid urbanization, the emergence of multiple sports channels, and high spending on sponsorships.
The sports market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $617.57 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increase in internet accessible devices, favorable government initiatives and a rise in sports tourism. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing adoption of ar and vr, launch of sports streaming apps, adoption of contactless technologies, mobile ticketing, focusing on social media users, use of analytics for pricing tickets, combined fitness formats for better workouts, mobile training apps, use of technology to elevate skier experience, personalized fan engagement, fusion of sports and entertainment, sponsorships to partnerships, corporate social responsibility (csr) and sustainability, focusing on different demographic groups, technology utilization in bowling centers and combining other activities with bowling.
The forecast of 5.7% growth over the next five years reflects a slight reduction of 0.1% from the previous projection. This reduction is primarily due to the impact of tariffs between the US and other countries. Tariff hikes are expected to hinder the availability of imported sports equipment and apparel, particularly from Asia, resulting in increased retail prices and reduced consumer access to quality products. The effect will also be felt more widely due to reciprocal tariffs and the negative effect on the global economy and trade due to increased trade tensions and restrictions.
The market is anticipated to benefit from the steady economic growth projected in many developed and developing countries. For example, in April 2024, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), a US-based government organization, indicated in its baseline forecast that the global economy is expected to grow at a rate of 3.2 percent in both 2024 and 2025, consistent with the growth observed in 2023. Advanced economies are expected to see a slight increase in growth, rising from 1.6 percent in 2023 to 1.7 percent in 2024, and reaching 1.8 percent in 2025. Meanwhile, growth in India is forecasted to remain robust at 6.8 percent in 2024. This ongoing economic expansion is likely to boost the demand for sports.
The global surge in people's interest in sports is poised to fuel the sports market's growth in the future. Factors such as increased disposable incomes, heightened health consciousness, and the growing popularity of organized sports events contribute to the growing enthusiasm for sports worldwide. The demand for sports facilities such as stadiums, arenas, and gymnasiums has increased due to people's heightened interest in engaging in physical activities. For instance, a report from the National Collegiate Athletic Association in March 2023 revealed a 5% increase in the number of student-athletes participating in NCAA women's championship sports, rising from 10,726 in 2020-2021 to 226,212 in 2021-22. Consequently, the global rise in people's interest in sports is a key driver for the growth of the sports market.
Sports organizers are integrating virtual reality (VR) technology to enhance the spectator experience during sporting events. Virtual reality creates immersive simulations of environments, offering users a sense of physical presence in a virtual world. Clubs and teams are exploring simulated and 360-degree environments to elevate spectators' match-viewing experiences, allowing them to virtually explore stadiums or race tracks and observe matches from various angles. Notably, the NBA game featuring the Sacramento Kings and San Antonio Spurs was broadcasted in VR, while NASCAR has incorporated virtual reality in creating interactive fan areas at race tracks.
Major players in the sports market are unveiling cutting-edge wearable devices such as Vector Core to establish a competitive advantage. Vector Core, a wearable gadget, employs advanced hardware and technology to assist teams in data management and analysis. For instance, in May 2023, Catapult, a US-based sports performance analytics company, launched Vector Core-a cost-effective solution tailored for academies and teams. This innovative device offers enhanced load management metrics, efficient data uploads, and automated data collection.
Major companies operating in the sports market include Liberty Media Corporation, Life Time Group Hldgs, Futbol Club Barcelona, Maruhan, Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp, Dallas Cowboys, Manchester City F.C., Real Madrid C.F., Heiwa Corporation, Manchester United Plc, Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao, Shandong Luneng Taishan, Dalian Shide, Liaoning Football Club, Beijing Guoan, Shanghai SIPG, Jiangsu Suning, Shanghai Greenland Shenhua, Hebei China Fortune, Tianjin Teda, Chongqing Lifan, Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders, Kings XI Punjab, Chennai Super Kings, Jaipur Pink Panthers, Chennaiyan FC, Mumbai City FC, Atletico de Kolkata, FC Goa, Urawa Red Diamonds, FC Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain F.C, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus F.C., A.C. Milan, Liverpool F.C, Arsenal F.C, Chelsea F.C., PFC CSKA Moscow, FC Zenit Saint Petersburg, FC Lokomotiv Moscow, FC Spartak Moscow, FC Anzhi Makhachkala, Toronto Raptors, Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Blue Jays, Montreal Canadien, Vancouver Canucks, Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames, Ottawa Senators, Toronto FC, C.F. Monterrey, Tigres UANL, New York Knicks, New York Giants, Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia Eagles, Boston Celtics, San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Houston Texans, New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams, Clube de Regatas do Flamengo, Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras, Sport Club Corinthians Paulista, Santos Futebol Clube, Al Hilal Club, Al-Nassr Football Club, Al-Ahli Saudi FC, Al-Ittihad Club, Maccabi Tel Aviv F.C., Hapoel Be'er Sheva F.C., Al Ahly, Esperance Sportive de Tunis, Club Africain, Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns, Springboks
North America was the largest region in the sports market in 2024. Africa is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the sports market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa
The countries covered in the sports market report are Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Bangladesh, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Hong Kong, New Zealand, USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Colombia, Peru, France, Germany, UK, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Russia, Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Iran, Turkey, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa
The sports market includes revenues earned by entities by providing services such as live sporting events before a paying audience or entities that operate golf courses and country clubs, skiing facilities, marinas, fitness, and recreational sports centers, and bowling centers. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.
The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).
The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.
Sports Global Market Report 2025 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses on sports market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for sports ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The sports market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.