The sports sponsorship market has seen considerable growth due to a variety of factors.
•The size of the sports sponsorship market has significantly increased over the past few years. It's projected to grow from $66.67 billion in 2024 to $70.34 billion in 2025, attaining a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.5%.
Factors that have contributed to this growth in the past include heightened brand visibility and recognition, increased fan engagement, the widespread globalization of sports, dominance of traditional media, and the influence of social media.
The sports sponsorship market is expected to maintain its strong growth trajectory in upcoming years.
• Anticipations show a robust upswing in the size of the sports sponsorship market over the next several years. The market is predicted to reach "$90.13 billion by 2029, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.4%.
This projected growth can largely be credited to factors such as immersive fan experiences, the integration of esports and gaming, personalized marketing strategies, integration across platforms, and innovative collaborations. Notable trends for this forecast period incorporate digital transformation, further integration of esports, sustainability-focused initiatives, customized fan interaction, and advancements in virtual and augmented reality.
The sports sponsorship market is projected to benefit immensely from the increasing number of sports events. Various factors contribute to the steady increase in sports events over the years, such as the rising popularity of sports and the growing availability of resources for event organization. Moreover, sports' globalization has allowed it to reach a broader audience and gain heightened global recognition. This phenomenon has, in turn, attracted sponsors who offer financial sponsorships and utilize these events to market their brands and products. For example, a report by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), a government department based in the UK, disclosed in November 2023 that live sports events had attracted 22% attendance over the previous six months, showing a 4% increase compared to the 2021-22 period. Football continued to dominate the viewership with 65%, keeping up with its popularity from the previous year. Meanwhile, Rugby viewership increased to 19%, a rise of 3 percentage points from the previous year. Interests in diverse sporting disciplines remained at a steady 17%, just like the previous year, while cricket interest rose to 15%, a 4% rise from the previous 11%. Hence, this steady rise in sports events will act as a catalyst to the growth of the sports sponsorship market.
The sports sponsorship market covered in this report is segmented –
1) By Type: Signage, Digital Activation, Club And Venue Activation, Other Types
2) By Application: Competition Sponsorship, Training Sponsorship, Other Applications
Subsegments:
1) By Signage: Stadium Signage, Event Signage, Team Signage
2) By Digital Activation: Social Media Campaigns, Mobile Apps, Website Sponsorships
3) By Club And Venue Activation: Sponsorship Events, Hospitality Packages, Merchandise Promotions
4) By Other Types: Community Programs, Player Sponsorships, Cause marketing
Key developments in technology are proving to be a trending factor in the sports sponsorship market. Companies operating in this market are embracing state-of-the-art technology to gain a competitive edge. For instance, in October 2022, Meta, a technology company from the United States, unveiled Xtadium VR, a virtual reality application for its Oculus Quest 2 headset. Xtadium is a platform that delivers VR streams of sports events in 180 degrees with up to 8K video resolution. It incorporates real-time statistical analysis and provides viewers with eight distinct camera viewpoints, resulting in a more tailored viewing experience. Subscribers are able to enjoy live events, access on-demand replays, and be part of immersive highlights. The primary objective of Xtadium is to mimic the actual experience of attending a sporting event as closely as feasible using VR technology.
Major companies operating in the sports sponsorship market include:
• Adidas AG
• Nike Inc.
• PepsiCo Inc.
• Rolex SA
• The Coca-Cola Company
• Puma SE
• Samsung Electronics Co Ltd.
• Castrol Limited
• Tata Group
• Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited
• Intel Corporation
• Qatar Airways Group Q.C.S.C.
• Hero MotoCorp Ltd.
• Hyundai Motor Company
• Nissan Motor Co Ltd.
• Reebok International Ltd.
• Red Bull GmbH
• Optimum Nutrition Inc.
• DICK'S Sporting Goods Inc.
• State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company
• Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV
• Ford Motor Company
• FedEx Corporation
• Molson Coors Brewing Company
• General Motors Company
• Toyota Motor Corporation
• Heineken N.V.
• Visa Inc.
• Mastercard Incorporated
• American Express Company
• Emirates Airline
• Etihad Airways PJSC
• Flydubai
North America was the largest region in the sports sponsorship market in 2024.Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the global sports sponsorship market report during the forecast period. The regions covered in the sports sponsorship market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa