A new insight report from the World Economic Forum, developed in collaboration with Oliver Wyman,
Sports for People and Planet, highlights a critical crossroads for the global sports economy.
The $2.3 trillion global sports economy is experiencing robust growth, with annual revenues projected to reach $8.8 trillion by 2050. However, this trajectory is increasingly at risk due to rising levels of physical inactivity and escalating environmental challenges – factors that could erode up to $1.6 trillion in annual revenue by mid-century and undermine the sector's broader impact.
Importantly, the report identifies physical inactivity, particularly among youth, as a structural challenge for the future of sport. Without a strong and expanding base of active participants, the long-term sustainability of the sports ecosystem is weakened.
The report outlines three multistakeholder pathways to build a more resilient future:
- Placing Sport at the Heart of Cities by integrating physical activity into urban design and activating green spaces
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Championing Resource Stewardship through circular models that reduce environmental impact
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Catalysing Purpose-Driven Capital by directing investment toward health, inclusion, and sustainability outcomes
These priorities strongly align with TAFISA's work through Mission 2030, the Active Cities framework, and global capacity-building initiatives. Sustainable growth in sport will not come from scale alone, but from reach - more people moving, more communities engaged, and more systems designed for everyday participation.
TAFISA welcomes this report as an important contribution to the global dialogue and as a call for coordinated public and private action. By prioritising active societies and sustainable environments, sport can continue to serve as a catalyst for prosperity that benefits both people and the planet.
Read the Full WEF Report Here
