Sports for People and Planet 2026

Executive summary Sport is projected to become an $8.8 trillion economy by 2050, but physical inactivity and environmental risks could cut annual earnings by $1.6 trillion by mid-century. Sports economy global revenues FIGURE 1 Core industries Connected industries Broader ecosystem stakeholdersThe sports economyProfessional and elite sportParticipatory sport and physical activity Sporting goodsSports tourism Wearables and tech softwareNutritionSport servicesGaming Broadcast and streamingGovernmentLocal communities and Indigenous people PhilanthropyAdvocacy and accountability Academia and research Wider private sectorInvestorsSports economy global revenue pools 2025 2030 2050$8.8tn $3.7tn $2.3tn+10% CAGR Source: World Economic Forum analysis Sports for People and Planet 4