Sportswear Market By Product Type (Apparel {Tops, Bottoms, Outerwear} Accessories {Gym Bags, Headwear, fitness trackers, Others} Specialty Wear {Compression Gear, Sports-Specific Gear, Swimwear and Sports Underwear},Footwear, Others), By Application (Fitness Enthusiasts, Athleisure Consumers, Health-Conscious Individuals, Others), By End-User (Men, Women, Children, Unisex), By Distribution Channel (Online, Offline {Sports Goods Retailers, Supermarkets & Hypermarkets, Brand Outlets, Others}), Global Market Size, Segmental analysis, Regional Overview, Company Share analysis, Leading Company Profiles And Market Forecast, 2025 – 2035

Industry Outlook

The Sportswear market accounted for USD 344.5 Billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 755.5 Billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of around 7.4% between 2025 and 2035. The sportswear industry refers to the global company that designs and manufactures apparel, footwear, and accessories meant for physical activities, fitness, and outdoor sports. Included among these items are athletic apparel and clothing, running shoes, activewear, and performance gear used by athletes and enthusiasts in fitness.

The most vital factors driving the market are increasing health consciousness, active participation in sports and fitness activities, and growing demand for comfortable, fashionable, and functional workout wear. Market trends that impact the market are advancements in fabric technologies with regard to moisture-wicking and breathable qualities and the steady gain in the popularity of eco-friendly sportswear. High demand for athleisure and sustainable fashion is another driver identified for this market. This highly allows the market to expand globally through online shopping. The developments are also opening up more varieties for customers, making it easier for them to shop according to their preferences.

Report Scope:

Market Dynamics

• Rising Health Consciousness Drives Growing Demand for Sportswear

The growing demands for sportswear correlate directly with the increasing priority consumers attribute to health and fitness. The more importance a consumer gives to his or her physical activity be it at the gym, outdoor games, or less competitive acts, the demand for high-performance sportswear increases. The great rise is also precipitated by the popularity of athleisure, whereby activewear is used for workouts but is also casual wear.

As per the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (PAG) recommends adults accumulate 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity per week. The willingness to maintain physical fitness is supporting interest in soft, functional, and fashion-forward sportswear as higher numbers of consumers seek apparel that promotes active lifestyles.

• Innovative Fabrics Enhance the Functionality and Comfort of Sportswear

The development of textile technology is one of the greatest driving forces behind the sportswear industry. Primarily, this technology enabled activewear to be more functional, comfortable and performance-oriented. Moisture-wicking breathable fabrics minimize sweat accumulation, thereby giving better comfort when carrying out intense physical activities, and are antimicrobial so as to minimize odor.

These developments made sportswear both effective for workouts and stylish enough for casual wear. Today, consumer attitudes are increasingly toward high-performance, versatile apparel, while demand for such pioneering sportswear continues to build pace. The U.S. Department of Commerce quotes that activewear is one of the fastest-growing apparel segments, driven by fabric innovation.

• Counterfeit Products Threaten Brand Reputation and Profitability

Counterfeit products pose a significant restraint to the sportswear market, as they undermine brand reputation, compromise consumer trust, and negatively impact profitability. The presence of such counterfeit goods at a lesser price can draw consumers away from genuine brands, affecting the business of successful companies. In addition to this, counterfeit goods also lack the quality and performance features of original products, which further dims the brand's perception.

According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, the share of counterfeit and pirated goods in global trade reached about 3.3 percent, but the sportswear and footwear sectors continue to be at a much greater risk. This upswinging issue highlights the importance of steps taken by brands to safeguard their intellectual property against this and sustain consumer confidence.

• Opportunities in Adaptive Sportswear for People with Disabilities and Medical Conditions

Creating sportswear designed specifically for people with disabilities or medical conditions presents a unique opportunity for the sportswear market. With some form of disability, more than 1 billion people worldwide, many of whom face challenges in finding suitable apparel for physical activities according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This is a usually neglected segment, but there has been increasing demand for adaptive functional clothing, mainly catering to the needs for accessibility comfort, and, most importantly, mobility.

The right innovation can immediately reach such an underserved market through sportswear brands by providing products especially needed by people with mobility issues, chronic conditions, or special physical requirements. This larger, more diverse market can then be tapped into by developing inclusive sportswear, directly contributing to the improved health and wellness of a broader customer base.

• Targeting Eco-Conscious Consumers with Sustainable Sportswear Products

The market has fantastic opportunities targeting environmentally concerned consumers through sustainable sportswear. Over 45% of global consumers are willing to pay extra for something that is environment-friendly; and sustainable products such as biodegradable running shoes, as well as clothes made from recycled materials, are being ordered in greater demand.

The use of sustainable practices will differentiate brands, creating customer loyalty among the sub-segment buyers. Many consumers are looking for brands that they can connect with, and as sportswear companies become more consumerist, there is an opening to develop a market that wants to share values with these companies, turning toward eco-friendly materials and processes of production.

This aspect is further strengthened by the EPA, of the US, which that reveals in the United States alone, 75% of textiles end up in landfills. Hence, using waste-avoiding technologies will minimize the impact on the environment.

Industry Experts Opinion

"In this new collection, every detail down to the drawstring length and ball pockets has been thought of, so players can focus on keeping the intensity up and the game loud. And to all the tennis players out there, thanks for the courts!" 

• Jeremy Nef, President of Stack Athletics.

Segment Analysis

Based on the product type, the sportswear market has been divided into Footwear, Apparel, and Accessories. Apparel has further been classified into Tops, Bottoms, Outerwear, and Specialty Wear like Compression Gear. Footwear supports multiple sports while Accessories range from Gym Bags and headwear to Fitness Trackers. Apparel contributes the most in terms of revenue as Athleisure, along with Performance-centric clothing, continues to surge in popularity among fitness enthusiasts as well as regular users.

The sportswear market is segmented into Fitness Enthusiasts, Athleisure Consumers, Health-Conscious Individuals, and Others, with each group seeking products for performance, style, or an active lifestyle. Among these, Athleisure Consumers are leading the market due to the growing trend of wearing sportswear for both fitness and everyday casual wear.

Regional Analysis

North America is the largest and one of the most active markets for sportswear in the world, driven by a sound culture of physical fitness and healthy lifestyle as well as the rising athleisure trend. The U.S. is among the top on the list with significant demand for both functional, performance-oriented sportswear and casual athleisure wear. With mounting awareness about the need for a healthy life, sustained by the rapidly expanding reach of fitness influencers and various social media trends, demand for sportswear products has been further accelerated.

The growth of e-commerce and digital retailing further elevates sportswear outreach to a larger population. Yet another trend witnessed in North America is the growing propensity for sustainable and environment-friendly sportswear that consumers are looking for brands, which are also environmentally sensitive. Both these push fitness culture, the popularity of athleisure, and the move toward sustainability driving the North American sportswear market.

Asia-Pacific is the global front-runner in sportswear growth, spurred by increasing disposable incomes and urbanization, among other factors, with an added heightened awareness of health and fitness. China, India, and Japan are some of the countries where demand for both performance sportswear and athleisure continues to be on the rise as consumers become more active.

The sportswear market is thus moving at an accelerating pace from workouts to daily dressing, according to the trends of fitness coupled with the pervasiveness of social media and fitness influencers. With the increase in a number of electronic storefronts, the sportswear industry has continued to expand its availability to a broader audience.  These developments have put the Asia-Pacific region at the top of the globalization list for the sportswear industry.

Competitive Landscape

The highly competitive global sportswear market sees the giant presence of the following brands, which include Nike, Adidas, Puma, and Under Armour. These brands are continuously implementing innovation in terms of technology, sustainability moves, and diversification in their product lines. For example, Nike has recently collaborated with the tech company Apple to infuse fitness-tracking capabilities into the brand's products.

Similarly, Adidas is also increasing its sustainability product offerings with ocean plastic shoes. Puma has also established solid ground with a strongly concentrated attitude toward eco-friendly designs and involvement with key influencers and celebrity athletes. Moreover, new entrants and niche brands are building models that can reach consumers directly, making the space even more intense. Consumers are on the lookout for more demand in athleisure and performance wear, which is both about style and functionality together, which compels companies to diversify their offerings.

Sportswear Market, Company Shares Analysis, 2024

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Recent Developments:

• In February 2024, Puma announced a long-term partnership with Bundesliga club RB Leipzig, starting in the 2024/25 season. Puma will provide equipment for all teams, while also securing sponsorship and advertising rights at the Red Bull Arena and RB Leipzig Football Academy.
• In June 2024, Stack Athletics launched its Summer 2024 performance collection for pickleball enthusiasts, featuring new colors and designs. The collection includes innovative pieces like the Men's Flowstate Zip Tee and Women's Rush Skirt, designed to regulate body temperature and enhance agility on the court.

Report Coverage:

By Product Type

• Apparel
  • Tops
  • Bottoms
  • Outerwear
• Accessories
  • Gym Bags
  • Headwear
  • fitness trackers
  • Others
• Specialty Wear
  • Compression Gear
  • Sports-Specific Gear
  • Sports Underwear
• Footwear
• Others

By Application

• Fitness Enthusiasts
• Athleisure Consumers
• Health-Conscious Individuals
• Others

By End-User

• Men
• Women
• Children
• Unisex

Distribution Channel

• Online
• Offline
  • Sports Goods Retailers
  • Supermarkets & Hypermarkets
  • Brand Outlets
  • Others

By Region

North America

• U.S.
• Canada

Europe

• U.K.
• France
• Germany
• Italy
• Spain
• Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

• China
• Japan
• India
• Australia
• South Korea
• Singapore
• Rest of Asia Pacific

Latin America

• Brazil
• Argentina
• Mexico
• Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa

• GCC Countries
• South Africa
• Rest of Middle East & Africa

List of Companies:

• Nike
• Adidas
• Puma
• Under Armour
• New Balance
• Reebok
• ASICS
• Skechers
• Columbia Sportswear
• The North Face
• Fila
• Champion
• Oakley
• Converse
• Saucony

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)