Market Forecast By Product (Ball Sports, Adventurous Sports, Fitness Equipments, Golf Equipments, Sports Equipments, Athletic Footwear, Athletic Apparels), By Distribution Channel (Hypermarket/supermarket, Convenience/Departmental Store, Specialty Store, Online Store, Others) And Competitive Landscape
Product Code: ETC189213 | Publication Date: May 2022 | Updated Date: Sep 2025 | Product Type: Market Research Report | |
Publisher: 6Wresearch | Author: Vasudha | No. of Pages: 60 | No. of Figures: 40 | No. of Tables: 7 |
According to 6Wresearch internal database and industry insights, The China Sporting Goods Market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.81% during the forecast period 2025-2031.
Report Name | China Sporting Goods Market |
Forecast Period | 2025-2031 |
CAGR | 5.81% |
Growing Sector | Athletic Footwear |
The China Sporting Goods Market report thoroughly covers the market by product and distribution channel. The market report provides an unbiased and detailed analysis of ongoing market trends, opportunities/high-growth areas, and market drivers, which would help stakeholders to devise and align their market strategies according to the current and future market dynamics.
The China sporting goods market is expected to grow rapidly during the forecasted period. The market growth is driven by increasing health awareness and rising urbanization. Government policies supporting sports activities are also contributing significantly to China Sporting Goods Market Growth. Consumption in sports apparel, athletic footwear, and equipment is growing both in the domestic market and for exports. E commerce and omnichannel retail are increasingly important.
Below mentioned are some prominent drivers and their influence to the market dynamics:
Driver | Primary Segments Affected | Why It Matters (Evidence) |
National Fitness & Health Promotion Policies | Fitness Equipment; Athletic Apparels; Online Store; Sports Equipment | China’s government is pushing initiatives such as “National Fitness Plan” to increase regular exercise among population, expanding fitness venues, sports instructors, etc. |
Rising Consumer Spending & Middle Class Growth | Athletic Footwear; Premium Sports Apparel; Specialty Stores; Online Store | Growing middle class demands higher quality, premium sportswear and brand differentiation. Also more spending on leisure, fitness. |
Outdoor & Adventure Sports Popularity | Outdoor Sports Equipment; Adventurous Sports Products | Outdoor sports sector growing; government targets creation of outdoor bases; hiking, mountain biking, etc. part of sports consumption push. |
Digital & E-commerce | All product categories, especially Footwear, Apparel, Fitness Equipment | Online sporting goods sales in China rose strongly; e-commerce platforms (e.g. JD, Taobao, etc.) are major channels. |
International Events & Licensed Merchandise | Ball Sports, Athletic Apparels, Licensed Products | Hosting large sports events, increasing consumption around events, merchandise tied to teams/clubs. |
The China Sporting Goods Market size is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.81% during the forecast period of 2025-2031. The market growth is driven by rising fitness culture and health consciousness among consumers. Increasing consumer spending power and rising middle-class consumers' sales of sportswear and footwear. Further, government policies encouraging physical activities and sports events are driving this industry expansion. The rise of e-commerce platforms and retail channels is effectively enhancing product accessibility and convenience. The growing interest of youth in sports activity and international brands is additionally supporting the industry growth.
Below mentioned are some major restraints and their influence to the market dynamics:
Restraint | Primary Segments Affected | What This Means (Evidence) |
Rising Production / Labor Costs | Sports Equipment; Footwear; Apparel | As labor costs, raw material costs increase, margins are squeezed for manufacturing and OEM producers. |
Competitive Pressure from Domestic Brands | Athletic Footwear & Apparel; Sports Equipment | Domestic brands (like Anta, Li Ning, Xtep) growing stronger, pushing competition, impacting foreign brands’ market share. |
Environmental & Regulatory Compliance | Apparel & Footwear; Outdoor Equipment | Regulations around materials, sustainability, waste, supply chain are tightening; this imposes cost or limits some product categories. |
Saturation in Urban Markets | Specialty Stores and Hypermarkets in Tier-1 cities | Growth in some cities is nearing saturation; further growth needs to come from smaller cities, rural, or new product innovation. |
Supply Chain / Export Risks | All product segments | Trade policies, tariffs, currency fluctuations, global supply chain disruptions affect both exports and cost of imported components. |
Notwithstanding robust expansion, the China Sporting Goods Industry encounters considerable obstacles. Achieving equilibrium between innovation and product distinctiveness is challenging, since consumers require both superior performance and aesthetically pleasing items at reasonable pricing. Global brands face challenges in accommodating local preferences while navigating intricate rules, import policies, and varied retail channels. Moreover, growing sustainability demands compel organizations to reevaluate material sourcing and production techniques, intensifying the need to adhere to environmental standards while maintaining quality and cost-effectiveness.
Following are the trends that are emerging in the market:
The market presents multiple investment opportunities:
Top leading players contributing to China Sporting Goods Market Share includes:
Company Name | Anta Sports Products Limited |
Established Year | 1991 |
Headquarters | Jinjiang, China |
Official Website | Click Here |
Anta is a prominent sportswear brand known for its extensive product portfolio including athletic socks designed for professional sports and daily wear.
Company Name | Li-Ning Company Limited |
Established Year | 1990 |
Headquarters | Beijing, China |
Official Website | Click Here |
Li-Ning is a leading Chinese sports brand offering a wide range of athletic footwear, apparel, and equipment focused on innovation, performance, and fashion.
Company Name | Peak Sport Products Co., Ltd. |
Established Year | 1989 |
Headquarters | Quanzhou, China |
Official Website | Click Here |
Peak Sport specializes in sports footwear, apparel, and accessories with a strong presence in basketball and running categories both domestically and internationally.
Company Name | Xtep International Holdings Limited |
Established Year | 2001 |
Headquarters | Fujian, China |
Official Website | Click Here |
Xtep is a growing sportswear company focusing on running shoes and lifestyle apparel, known for its collaborations with international athletes and endorsements.
Company Name | 361 Degrees International Limited |
Established Year | 2003 |
Headquarters | Jinjiang, China |
Official Website | Click Here |
361 Degrees offers a diverse range of athletic footwear and apparel, gaining popularity through sponsorships in sports events and investments in product technology.
According to Chinese Government Data, It has initiated multiple programs to advance the sporting goods sector, including the “National Fitness Plan,” which advocates for physical exercise and facilitates the enhancement of sports infrastructure. Policies emphasize the expansion of outdoor sports facilities and the enhancement of domestic sports consumption. Furthermore, rules foster sustainability in production by advocating for the utilization of environmentally friendly materials in clothing and equipment. These initiatives seek to improve public health, stimulate economic development, and fortify the domestic sporting goods sector.
The China Sporting Goods Market is expected to see accelerated growth through forecasted period as consumer preferences shift toward health, fitness, outdoors, and experiential consumption. Growth in lower tier cities and rural areas will become more important. Brands that can deliver premium quality, sustainability, and digital engagement will gain more market share. The role of licensed sports merchandise and event linked consumption is likely to increase. Also, regulatory pressure and environmental expectations will push innovation in materials and production.
According to Guneet Kaur, Senior Research Analyst, 6Wresearch, athletic footwear dominates the market owing to rising fitness trends and athleisure fashion. Its high adaptability across daily wear, sports, and training makes it a top choice among all age groups in urban and semi-urban areas.
Online store segment is witnessing significant growth due to increased digital adoption, influencer marketing, and access to wide product ranges. Consumers prefer convenience, faster deliveries, and exclusive online offers, which make this channel the fastest-growing across various product categories.
The report offers a comprehensive study of the subsequent market segments:
1 Executive Summary |
2 Introduction |
2.1 Key Highlights of the Report |
2.2 Report Description |
2.3 Market Scope & Segmentation |
2.4 Research Methodology |
2.5 Assumptions |
3 China Sporting Goods Market Overview |
3.1 China Country Macro Economic Indicators |
3.2 China Sporting Goods Market Revenues & Volume, 2021 & 2031F |
3.3 China Sporting Goods Market - Industry Life Cycle |
3.4 China Sporting Goods Market - Porter's Five Forces |
3.5 China Sporting Goods Market Revenues & Volume Share, By Product, 2021 & 2031F |
3.6 China Sporting Goods Market Revenues & Volume Share, By Distribution Channel, 2021 & 2031F |
4 China Sporting Goods Market Dynamics |
4.1 Impact Analysis |
4.2 Market Drivers |
4.2.1 Increasing health consciousness and fitness trends among Chinese consumers |
4.2.2 Rising disposable income leading to higher spending on recreational activities |
4.2.3 Government initiatives promoting sports participation and infrastructure development |
4.3 Market Restraints |
4.3.1 Competition from counterfeit and low-quality sporting goods |
4.3.2 Economic uncertainties impacting consumer spending on non-essential items |
5 China Sporting Goods Market Trends |
6 China Sporting Goods Market, By Types |
6.1 China Sporting Goods Market, By Product |
6.1.1 Overview and Analysis |
6.1.2 China Sporting Goods Market Revenues & Volume, By Product, 2021-2031F |
6.1.3 China Sporting Goods Market Revenues & Volume, By Ball Sports, 2021-2031F |
6.1.4 China Sporting Goods Market Revenues & Volume, By Adventurous Sports, 2021-2031F |
6.1.5 China Sporting Goods Market Revenues & Volume, By Fitness Equipments, 2021-2031F |
6.1.6 China Sporting Goods Market Revenues & Volume, By Golf Equipments, 2021-2031F |
6.1.7 China Sporting Goods Market Revenues & Volume, By Sports Equipments, 2021-2031F |
6.1.8 China Sporting Goods Market Revenues & Volume, By Athletic Footwear, 2021-2031F |
6.2 China Sporting Goods Market, By Distribution Channel |
6.2.1 Overview and Analysis |
6.2.2 China Sporting Goods Market Revenues & Volume, By Hypermarket/supermarket, 2021-2031F |
6.2.3 China Sporting Goods Market Revenues & Volume, By Convenience/Departmental Store, 2021-2031F |
6.2.4 China Sporting Goods Market Revenues & Volume, By Specialty Store, 2021-2031F |
6.2.5 China Sporting Goods Market Revenues & Volume, By Online Store, 2021-2031F |
6.2.6 China Sporting Goods Market Revenues & Volume, By Others, 2021-2031F |
7 China Sporting Goods Market Import-Export Trade Statistics |
7.1 China Sporting Goods Market Export to Major Countries |
7.2 China Sporting Goods Market Imports from Major Countries |
8 China Sporting Goods Market Key Performance Indicators |
8.1 Number of new sports facilities and recreational centers opened |
8.2 Participation rates in organized sports events or fitness programs |
8.3 Percentage of population engaging in regular physical activities |
8.4 Investment in sports marketing and sponsorships |
8.5 Consumer sentiment towards quality and authenticity of sporting goods |
9 China Sporting Goods Market - Opportunity Assessment |
9.1 China Sporting Goods Market Opportunity Assessment, By Product, 2021 & 2031F |
9.2 China Sporting Goods Market Opportunity Assessment, By Distribution Channel, 2021 & 2031F |
10 China Sporting Goods Market - Competitive Landscape |
10.1 China Sporting Goods Market Revenue Share, By Companies, 2024 |
10.2 China Sporting Goods Market Competitive Benchmarking, By Operating and Technical Parameters |
11 Company Profiles |
12 Recommendations |
13 Disclaimer |