Sports for People and Planet 2026

Mainstreaming of women’s sportEmergence of sports as an asset classRebalancing of sports growth with emerging economiesAcceleration of sports tourism Growth drivers shaping the future of the sports economy FIGURE 2 Source: World Economic Forum analysis However, the sector’s long-term growth is increasingly at risk due to converging health and environmental challenges. Rising levels of physical inactivity, especially among youth, risk undermining grassroots participation and eroding the future fan and consumer base that sustains revenues across apparel, elite events, tourism and fitness. Simultaneously, escalating environmental risks such as heat stress, extreme weather and pollution are disrupting competitions, diminishing spectator experiences, limiting community well-being and affecting the supply chains and operations that underpin the broader sports economy. The sector also contributes to these pressures through the resource-intensive nature of events, sporting goods, infrastructure and travel, resulting in significant carbon emissions, water use and waste generation. These dynamics are mutually reinforcing; environmental degradation discourages physical activity, while less active populations are more susceptible to climate-related health impacts. This negative feedback loop threatens to dampen long-term demand, resilience and the sector’s ability to deliver positive social and economic outcomes. If left unaddressed, the combined impacts of rising physical inactivity, accelerating climate change and nature loss could result in the sports economy losing up to 14% ($517 billion) of its annual revenue by 2030, with losses projected to increase to 18% ($1.6 trillion) annually by 2050. Revenue impact of physical inactivity, climate change and nature loss FIGURE 3 2030 20503,653bn 8,811bn Revenue at risk ($) Rest of revenue ($)3,136bn 86% 7,201bn 82%1,610bn 18%517bn 14% Source: World Economic Forum analysisSport is a major global economic driver, generating $2.3 trillion annually in total revenues. With projected compound growth of 10% over the next five years, the sector is expected to reach $3.7 trillion by 2030, with long-term forecasts indicating expansion to $8.8 trillion by 2050. The sports economy comprises more than 15 distinct stakeholders across the public, private and civil society sectors, anchored by four core industries and supported by five connected industries. There are four key growth drivers shaping the future of the sports economy. Sports for People and Planet 5