Plunkett's Sports & Recreation Industry Almanac 2026: Sports & Recreation Industry Market Research, Statistics, Trends and Leading Companies

PLUNKETT'S SPORTS INDUSTRY ALMANAC 2026

Key Findings:

A complete market research report, including forecasts and market estimates, technologies analysis and developments at innovative firms within the Sports & Recreation Industry. Gain vital insights that can help shape strategy for business development, product development and investments.

Key Features:

• Business trends analysis
• In-depth industry overview
• Technology trends analysis
• Forecasts
• Spending, investment, and consumption discussions
• In-depth industry statistics and metrics
• Industry employment numbers

Additional Key Features Include:

Industry Glossary

Industry Contacts list, including Professional Societies and Industry Associations

Profiles of industry-leading companies

• U.S. and Global Firms
• Publicly held, Private and Subsidiaries
• Executive Contacts
• Revenues
• For Public Companies: Detailed Financial Summaries
• Statistical Tables

Key Questions Answered Include:

• How is the industry evolving?
• How is the industry being shaped by new technologies?
• How is demand growing in emerging markets and mature economies?
• What is the size of the market now and in the future?
• What are the financial results of the leading companies?
• What are the names and titles of top executives?
• What are the top companies and what are their revenues?

This feature-rich report covers competitive intelligence, market research and business analysis—everything you need to know about the Sports & Recreation Industry.

Plunkett Research Provides Unique Analysis of the Following Major Trends Affecting the Sports & Recreation Industry

1. Major Trends Affecting the Sports & Recreation Industry
2. Introduction to the Sports & Recreation Industry
3. NFL (National Football League): The Biggest Money in U.S. Sports
4. Broadcasting Fees, Digital Access and Investment Savvy Boost MLB (Major League Baseball)
5. NBA (National Basketball Association) Goes Global/WNBA Surges in Popularity
6. NHL (National Hockey League) Covers the U.S. & Canada
7. Television Rights/Streaming Contracts Bring in Lucrative Revenues for Major Sports Leagues
8. Soccer (Football) Leagues Around the World Reap Significant Revenues and Sponsorships
9. New Sports Stadiums Launched in the U.S./Stadium Sponsorships Offset Costs
10. NCAA College Sports Are Immense Revenue Generators, Thanks to Broadcast Rights
11. Student Athletes Eligible for Endorsement Fees/ Fight for Compensation and Benefits
12. Golf Is a Major Sports Sector/PGA (Professional Golf Association) LIV Merger Delayed
13. Tennis Is a Massive Global Sport for Professionals and Amateurs Alike
14. Fantasy Sports Post Growth, with 63 Million Players
15. eSports: Electronic Games Become Spectator Sports
16. Sports Betting Gains Traction with Online Betting
17. Sports Equipment Manufacturers Offer the Latest High-Tech Advantages
18. Wearable Sensors Track Exercise Data/Apparel and Shoe Manufacturers Adopt Technologies
19. Sports Agents Are Indispensable/Sports Marketing Booms in China
20. Sports Licensing Heats Up
21. Video Game Console History/New Technologies and Features Boost Console Sales
22. Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality and 3-D Games Create Opportunities in the Tech Industry/Immersion Games to Grow
23. Aging Baby Boomers Will Cause Significant Changes in the Leisure Sector, Including Sports and Activity-Based Travel
24. Athletic Footwear Sales Boom, Drawing Big Names from Athletes to Designers
25. The Vast Majority of Shoes Sold in the U.S. Are Made Elsewhere
26. 3-D Printing and Robotics Revolutionize Manufacture of Shoes and Fabrics
27. Exercise Apparel Sales Rise/Athleisure Clothing Sales Remain Strong
28. Sports Equipment and Social Media Converge
29. The Future of the Sports Industry Will Be Shaped by Technologies and Demographics

Plunkett Research Provides In-Depth Tables for the Following Sports & Recreation Industry Statistics

1. Sports & Recreation Industry Statistics and Market Size Overview
2. Global Sports Industry Revenues, 2022-2024
3. Selected U.S. Sports Industry Revenues: 2016-2022
4. Sports Industry, Estimated Sources of Revenue & Expenses, U.S.: 2017-2022
5. U.S. Spectator Sports, Performing Arts & Related Industries, Breakdown of Expenses: 2020-2022
6. Estimated Monthly Sporting Goods Stores Retail Sales, U.S.: 1992-April 2025
7. Overview of the Media Contracts of the Four Big Sports Leagues
8. Sports Industry Employment by Business Type, U.S.: 2020-2024