Global Licensed Sports Merchandise Market Insights Forecasts to 2033

• The Global Licensed Sports Merchandise Market Size was Valued at USD 33.15 Billion in 2023
• The Market Size is Growing at a CAGR of 4.64% from 2023 to 2033
• The Worldwide Licensed Sports Merchandise Size is Expected to Reach USD 52.16 Billion by 2033
• Asia-Pacific is expected to Grow the fastest during the forecast period.

The Global Licensed Sports Merchandise Market Size is Anticipated to Exceed USD 52.16 Billion by 2033, Growing at a CAGR of 4.64% from 2023 to 2033. The advanced production processes, such as product personalization and the incorporation of smart technology into sports gear, are accelerating the expansion of the licensed sports merchandise sector.

Market Overview:

Licensed sports gear is defined as legally sanctioned products that feature the logos, names, and symbols of professional sports clubs, leagues, or events. The licensed sports merchandise business is expanding steadily, fueled by rising consumer demand for branded sports clothes, footwear, accessories, and memorabilia. The increased popularity of sporting events and teams, fans are more likely to buy items to demonstrate their support. The companies are profiting on this trend by entering into licensing deals with sports organizations and teams, which allow them to manufacture and sell official merchandise.

The licensed sports apparel business is expanding rapidly, owing to a growing worldwide fan base for sports teams and events. The significant trend is a shift toward sustainable and eco-friendly clothing, with businesses focusing on developing garments and accessories produced from recycled materials to suit the rising demand for ecologically responsible products. The growing number of sports lovers, as well as expanding urbanization and the expansion of the online retail sector, are a few of the important drivers driving the industry forward.

Opportunities: The collaborations between sports teams or athletes and high-end fashion companies are resulting in considerable crossover merchandising prospects in the licensed sports industry.

Report Coverage:

This research report categorizes the market for the global licensed sports merchandise market based on various segments and regions forecasts revenue growth and analyses trends in each submarket. The report analyses the key growth drivers, opportunities, and challenges influencing the global licensed sports merchandise market. Recent market developments and competitive strategies such as expansion, product launch, and development, partnership, merger, and acquisition have been included to draw the competitive landscape in the market. The report strategically identifies and profiles the key market players and analyses their core competencies in each sub-segment of the global licensed sports merchandise market.

Driving Factors:

The expanding relevance of sports participation, particularly for health reasons, the growing power of sports persons endorsements, and increased interest in international sports events are all enticing consumers to licensed sports products, which is driving worldwide market growth. The growing number of sports enthusiasts, increased urbanization, and the expansion of the online retail sector are all critical factors driving the market's growth.

Restraining Factors:

The financial burden of getting licensing rights for items can represent a substantial barrier in the licensed sports merchandising business, particularly for smaller brands and startups.

Market Segmentation:

The global licensed sports merchandise market share is classified into product, sports category, and distribution channel.

• The sports apparel segment having the largest share of the market during the forecast period.

Based on the product, the global licensed sports merchandise market is categorized into sports apparel, sports footwear, sports accessories, toys and games, others. Among these, the sports apparel segment having the largest share of the market during the forecast period. The sports gear category contains a variety of clothing alternatives embellished with club logos, player names, and classic insignias. Apparel, which includes anything from t-shirts and jerseys to hoodies and hats, is a tangible method for fans to show off their support for their favorite sports teams and players. Jerseys, in particular, retain great significance in the garment industry, representing a direct link to the club and its players.

• The football segment is expected to drive the growth of the market over the forecast period.

Based on the sports category, the global licensed sports merchandise market is categorized into basketball, football, cricket, others. Among these, the football segment is expected to drive the growth of the market over the forecast period. Football, occasionally referred to as soccer in North America, is the cornerstone of the licensed sports retail business, with a global fan base that crosses geographical and cultural barriers. The popularity of football clubs such as FC Barcelona, Manchester United, and Real Madrid extends well beyond the pitch, with fans demonstrating unshakeable allegiance and enthusiasm for their teams. The FIFA World Cup and UEFA Champions League are apex events that fuel strong demand for the growth of the licensed sports merchandise market.

• The offline segment owing to the highest share of the market throughout the forecast period.

Based on the distribution channel, the global licensed sports merchandise market is categorized into online, offline. Among these, the offline segment owing to the highest share of the market throughout the forecast period. The traditional brick-and-mortar retail stores continue to play an important role in the licensed sports products business, providing customers with physical shopping experiences and customized service. Specialty sports stores, department stores, and licensed retail shops at stadiums and arenas serve as physical touchpoints for fans to immerse themselves in the thrill of their favorite sports teams while also browsing a diverse assortment of branded products.

Regional Segment Analysis of the Global Licensed Sports Merchandise Market

• North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico) 
• Europe (Germany, France, U.K., Italy, Spain, Rest of Europe)
• Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, Rest of APAC)
• South America (Brazil and the Rest of South America) 
• The Middle East and Africa (UAE, South Africa, Rest of MEA)

North America is projected to hold the largest share of the global licensed sports merchandise market over the forecast period.  

North America is the largest worldwide licensed sports merchandise market stockholder, and it is predicted to grow significantly during the forecast period. North America is the leading force in the worldwide licensed sports apparel business, driven by a strong enthusiasm for sports that is deeply embedded in the region's culture. The United States and Canada are home to some of the world's most prominent sports leagues, including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and MLS, each with passionate fan bases and large retail sales. In the United States, the NFL reigns supreme, with its annual Super Bowl spectacular attracting millions of spectators and driving unprecedented demand for licensed items.

Asia-Pacific region is also expected to fastest CAGR growth during the forecast period. In Asia-Pacific, government efforts to promote sports participation and investment in sports infrastructure have fueled interest in sports leagues such as the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) and the Indian Premier League (IPL), resulting in increased demand for licensed merchandise featuring local and international teams and athletes.

Competitive Analysis:

The report offers the appropriate analysis of the key organizations/companies involved within the global licensed sports merchandise market along with a comparative evaluation primarily based on their product offering, business overviews, geographic presence, enterprise strategies, segment market share, and SWOT analysis. The report also provides an elaborative analysis focusing on the current news and developments of the companies, which includes product development, innovations, joint ventures, partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, strategic alliances, and others. This allows for the evaluation of the overall competition within the market.

List of Key Companies:

• NIKE, Inc.
• New Era Cap
• PRADA
• PUMA SE
• Columbia Sportswear Company
• DICK'S Sporting Goods
• HANESBRANDS INC.
• Li Ning Sports Goods Co., Ltd
• SportsDirect
• Rawlings Sporting Goods
• Revgear
• EVERLAST WORLDWIDE INC.
• G-III Apparel Group, Ltd.
• Fanatics Inc.
• adidas
• Under Armour, Inc.
• Others

Key Market Developments:

• In August 2024, Belk and Fanatics, a worldwide digital sports platform and the top distributor of licensed sports gear, have announced a new agreement to expand the retailer's inventory and provide customers access to Fanatics' industry-leading selection of licensed sports items.

• In June 2024, Academy Sports + Outdoors ("Academy") (Nasdaq: ASO) announced a new exclusive agreement with DoorDash (Nasdaq: DASH), the local commerce platform, to provide on-demand delivery from Academy's 285 locations across 19 states during the upcoming Back-to-School season.

Key Target Audience

• Market Players
• Investors
• End-users
• Government Authorities 
• Consulting And Research Firm
• Venture capitalists
• Value-Added Resellers (VARs)  

Market Segment

This study forecasts revenue at global, regional, and country levels from 2020 to 2033. Spherical Insights has segmented the global licensed sports merchandise market based on the below-mentioned segments: 

Global Licensed Sports Merchandise Market, By Product

• Sports Apparel
• Sports Footwear
• Sports Accessories
• Toys and Games
• Others

Global Licensed Sports Merchandise Market, By Sports Category

• Basketball
• Football
• Cricket
• Others

Global Licensed Sports Merchandise Market, By Distribution Channel

• Online
• Offline

Global Licensed Sports Merchandise Market, By Regional

• North America
  • US
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Germany
  • Uk
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Russia
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Australia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• South America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Rest of South America
• Middle East & Africa
  • UAE
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Qatar
  • South Africa
  • Rest of the Middle East & Africa