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A fresh wave of sports is emerging worldwide, offering people new and exciting experiences. While some fail to gain traction, others exceed all expectations. So, which sports are currently leading the pack as the fastest-growing?
Close-up of a male e-sports team celebrating a victory in a tournament. Photo: Marko GeberSource: Getty Images
Traditional games like football and rugby have a rich history, dating back hundreds of years. While some continue to attract new fans, others have reached their peak. However, there are several modern sports that are rapidly gaining popularity.
The Top 10 Fastest-Growing Sports in the World
The world has a plethora of sports that captivate curious fans and experience tremendous growth. Which sports are leading the charge? Here is a list of the fastest-growing sports globally:
10. Stand Up Paddleboarding
Adventure enthusiasts adore this adrenaline-filled sport. Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) has seen consistent growth and offers various activities like touring, racing, surfing, and yoga. Players stand on a surfboard, equipped with a paddle to navigate the waters. Popular SUP events include the Vail Mountain Games and the Mississippi River 140.
Jack Billings of the Saints does stand-up paddleboarding during a St Kilda Saints AFL training session at Catani Gardens on November 21, 2017, in Melbourne, Australia. Photo: Quinn RooneySource: Getty Images
9. Pickleball
Pickleball is a relatively new sport that has been gaining popularity at an exponential rate. Combining elements of table tennis, badminton, and tennis, it offers a unique and enjoyable experience for players of all ages.
Callan Dawson hits a forehand volley shot against Federico Staksrud during the PPA Carvana Arizona Grand Slam at Legacy Sports USA on February 18, 2023, in Mesa, Arizona. Photo: Bruce YeungSource: Getty Images
The game is played with racquets similar to table tennis, using a plastic ball and a net and court resembling those of tennis. The USA Pickleball National Championships has helped propel this sport to become one of the fastest-growing in America.
8. Adventure Racing
Who doesn’t love a thrilling adventure? Adventure racing offers participants an exciting and dynamic experience with no set time frame, ranging from one hour to an entire month. This sport involves activities such as trekking, mountain biking, paddling, mountain climbing, and other adrenaline-filled pursuits.
Davide Cappello (ITA) during UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Val di Sole 2022 – Junior Men Downhill race category – September 3, 2022. Photo: Roberto TommasiniSource: Getty Images
Aside from the physical exertion, participants also get to enjoy breathtaking scenery and the fresh outdoors. Notable events stemming from adventure racing include the Red Bull Defiance, Red Bull Dolmitenmann, and Wilderness Traverse.
7. Drone Racing
With the increasing popularity of drones, drone racing has quickly gained traction. The industry is now worth an impressive $127 billion. What makes this sport even more captivating is the use of FPV (First Person View) goggles, providing players with a realistic and immersive experience.
Competitors prepare the drones during the 2nd national race of “Racing Drone” at the “Cincuentenario” football stadium on September 12, 2021, in Medellin, Colombia. Photo: Fredy BuilesSource: Getty Images
Drone racing events like Home Field and Emerald Downs 1s Whoop Race offer enthusiasts the chance to showcase their skills and compete against one another.
6. Footgolf
Footgolf is a sport that has emerged from the game of golf itself. In this variant, players use their feet instead of golf clubs and a larger ball. The holes are also bigger, and people of all ages can enjoy the game.
A player tries to putt during a round of football golf at the Soccerpark Dirmstein on May 25, 2014, in Dirmstein, Germany. Photo: Alex GrimmSource: Getty Images
The AFGL (American FootGolf League) tour is a renowned event in this sport, and other leagues are also gaining prominence.
5. MMA (Mixed Martial Arts)
MMA is a rapidly growing sport with a massive fan base. It has generated billions of dollars in revenue, thanks to its incredible pay-per-view rates. Promotions like the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) boast some of the world’s best athletes in the sport.
Alexa Grasso (bottom) fights Valentina Shevchenko during their UFC 285 women’s flyweight title bout at T-Mobile Arena, in Las Vegas, Nevada, on March 4, 2023. Photo: Patrick T. FallonSource: Getty Images
Notable figures in MMA include Usman Kamaru, Israel Adesanya, Conor McGregor, and many others. The sport’s overall value is estimated to exceed $4 billion.
4. Rugby
As one of the world’s oldest and most physically demanding sports, rugby has amassed millions of fans worldwide. With an impressive growth of over 60 million fans in a single year, this sport continues to capture new enthusiasts.
Joshua Bassingthwaighte (L) of Samurai RFC tackles Dennis Ombachi of Kenya’s national team Shujaa during the final of Safari Sevens, in Nairobi, Kenya, on November 11, 2018. Photo: Yasuyoshi ChibaSource: Getty Images
Rugby boasts some of the world’s fittest athletes, and events like the Rugby World Cup attract massive attention from fans globally.
3. Kabaddi
Kabaddi is one of the fastest-growing sports in Asia and has garnered a massive following worldwide. Originating from India and Pakistan, Kabaddi has evolved into a globally beloved sport.
Sedigheh Jafari (2R) tries to defend from India’s players during the women’s team kabaddi finals match at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta on August 24, 2018. Photo: Chaideer MahyuddinSource: Getty Images
The sport has an acclaimed league, the pro-Kabaddi season, as well as the Kabaddi World Cup. Kabaddi involves a player from one team attempting to tag opponents while holding their breath, with seven players per team.
2. Javelin
The Olympics has played a significant role in the growth of javelin, a track and field event. Athletes compete by throwing a spear-like object called a javelin as far as possible in an open field. This sport requires athletes with exceptional strength and skill to achieve long throws.
Japan’s Marina Saito competes in the final of the women’s javelin throw athletics event during the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta on August 28, 2018. Photo: Martin BureauSource: Getty Images
The Olympics and the Diamond League host notable competitions for javelin throwers.
1. eSports
And now, the number one fastest-growing sport in the world is eSports. This sport does not rely on physicality but rather on mental prowess and technical skills. eSports has been experiencing exponential growth, driven by substantial prize money and the accessibility of gaming consoles and PCs.
TayZo of the Celtics Crossover Gaming looks on during the 2022 NBA 2K League The Ticket Tournament on August 13, 2022, at NBA 2K League Studio in Indianapolis, Indiana. Photo: Ron HoskinsSource: Getty Images
While some eSports leagues can be played remotely, others require participants to gather at specific locations. The industry is estimated to be valued at around $3.5 billion, with potential growth reaching $10 billion. Popular eSports competitions include The International 10, Fortnite World Cup, PUBG Global Invitational, League of Legends, FIFA eWorld Cup, and F1 eSports.
Fastest-Growing Sports Leagues
Sports leagues play a vital role in organizing and promoting different games around the world, fostering competition and growth. Some of the fastest-growing sports leagues globally include:
Cristiano Ronaldo scores a goal during the UEFA Champions League group F match against Villarreal CF at Estadio de la Ceramica on November 23, 2021, in Villarreal, Spain. Photo: Aitor AlcaldeSource: Getty Images
The Fastest-Growing Sports in America in 2023
America is known for inventing new games and exporting them worldwide. The fastest-growing sport in America is Pickleball, with an astonishing 158.6% growth over the past three years, according to the American organization SFIA. Stu Upson, the USA Pickleball CEO, had this to say:
“Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in America, with a remarkable growth rate of 158% in the last three years.”
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