The global rugby apparel market size was valued at USD 1290.90 million in 2024 and is projected to reach a value from USD 1445.81 million by 2025 to USD 3579.78 million by 2033, registering a CAGR of 12.0% during the forecast period (2025-2033). Rugby's growing popularity and importance in developed and emerging countries are predicted to fuel the rugby apparel market growth.
Rugby apparel refers to clothing and equipment created exclusively for rugby players and fans. Rugby is a team sport that began in England and is now played in many nations worldwide. Due to the game being physically demanding, customized apparel is developed to improve player performance, comfort, and safety. Furthermore, rugby apparel is frequently worn by supporters and fans to show allegiance to a specific side or to express love for the sport.
Furthermore, the increased demand for new and innovative rugby apparel designs among players is pushing the market share. Another significant element driving the market is the growing number of females playing rugby and participating in rugby games worldwide. The growing global interest in rugby games, combined with an increasing number of rugby players, is likely to drive market expansion in the future. This population comprises professional rugby players and individuals who enjoy the sport as a recreational hobby.
Highlights
As rugby grows in popularity worldwide, so does the need for rugby apparel. Rugby leagues, international contests, and grassroots participation are all growing, contributing to a larger market for connected items. World Rugby, for example, has been actively promoting grassroots development programs to boost youth engagement in rugby. This encourages a new generation of players and supporters, which adds to the sport's appeal. Rugby participation climbed by 11% in 2023, according to World Rugby, with 8.46 million players from 132 nations. Women and girls, as well as rising rugby nations, are driving this increase. Rugby Sevens was included in the Olympic Games beginning with the 2016 Rio Olympics. The Olympic platform has improved rugby's visibility and attractiveness, potentially attracting a larger audience and increasing demand for rugby clothing. Rugby is a famous sport people of different ages, genders, and sizes enjoy. According to World Rugby, Rugby has approximately 800 million followers globally, with over 338 million considering themselves supporters. India, China, and the United States account for over 33% of the world's population.
Furthermore, Rugby's social media presence has risen in 2022, with social media interaction increasing by 261% and sentiment increasing by 80%. Rugby teams use social media to interact and engage with supporters worldwide. World Rugby will introduce digital and social media tools in 2021 to strengthen ties with fans and players while inspiring new audiences. According to new-global.com, World Rugby had 1,870,551 social media followers in 2022. The 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan attracted over 850 million viewers, a 26% increase over the previous event. Over 121 million people watched the 2023 Six Nations Championship from 209 different countries. The Six Nations Championship was protected by 34.2 million French people in 2022, representing a record 59% of the nation. Rugby's popularity and impact on the apparel market are anticipated to drive the market trend forward.
Rugby is seen as a niche sport compared to more popular sports such as soccer, basketball, and American football. Rugby's unique appeal may limit the market size for rugby-related products, such as gear. Rugby has a large fan base in traditional rugby-playing countries such as New Zealand, Australia, England, and South Africa, but it may have a smaller fan base in other locations. The global variance in rugby popularity can affect the overall market size for rugby apparel. Rugby is less popular than football around the world. The 2018 FIFA World Cup final was watched by 1.5 billion people, while the 2015 Rugby World Cup final was watched by 44 million. Rugby is regarded as a specialist sport in the United States, with a tiny but devoted following. According to a Toffs poll, 51.25% of respondents were football supporters, while 22.42% were rugby lovers. Major sports leagues with an excellent fan base frequently attract considerable sponsorship and media deals, contributing to the sport's total economic impact. As a specialist activity in some countries, rugby may need help acquiring similar partnerships.
Furthermore, merchandise revenue, which includes clothes sales, is highly related to the size of the fan base. Sports with a broad global fan base have a more significant potential customer market for items, which leads to increased revenue. Football has a more excellent fan base than rugby, with over 3.5 billion fans worldwide compared to 475 million for rugby. The size of the fan base also influences licensing options for fashion manufacturers. Mainstream sports with a more significant following attract more license agreements and collaborations, whereas niche sports like rugby may have fewer.
Women's rugby is one of the world's fastest-growing sports, with substantial growth in established and emerging markets. Women's rugby's rise gives a unique potential for gear producers. As women's participation in rugby grows, so does the need for women's rugby attire. Brands may capitalize on this trend by offering items targeted specifically to female athletes and supporters. Promoting women's rugby events, such as international competitions and leagues, has increased visibility. Women's Rugby World Cup events, for example, have received more attention, contributing to the rise of the women's rugby market. Sports England shows that female rugby players have risen from 25,000 to 40,000 in the last five years. The Rugby Football Union (RFU) hopes to boost this figure to 100,000 by 2027. According to a 2022-2023 report, the number of people playing rugby climbed by 11% globally, with registered adult female players increasing by 38%. Since 2022, there has also been a 20% growth in female players in community rugby.
As a result, apparel companies have recognized the necessity for a diversified product offering to appeal to the women's rugby market. This includes creating jerseys, shorts, and other apparel expressly fitted to the female body, delivering usefulness and style. Rugby apparel brands such as Canterbury have expanded their product lines to offer women's specific rugby jerseys and training gear, recognizing the distinct needs and preferences of female rugby players and fans. Adidas also launched the "She Breaks Barriers" ad, which promoted women's rugby. The program aimed to break down gender preconceptions in sports and encourage more female participation.
| Study Period | 2021-2033 | CAGR | 12% |
| Historical Period | 2021-2023 | Forecast Period | 2025-2033 |
| Base Year | 2024 | Base Year Market Size | USD 1290.90 Million |
| Forecast Year | 2033 | Forecast Year Market Size | USD 3579.78 Million |
| Largest Market | North America | Fastest Growing Market | Europe |
North America is the most significant global rugby apparel market shareholder and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 12.3% over the forecast period. The North American market is expected to increase steadily in market share and revenue over the projected period. Rugby is a rapidly rising sport in the United States. USA Rugby governs rugby at the youth, high school, college, amateur club, professional, and international levels. As of 2019, there are around 128,000 registered players with USA Rugby. There are about 2,600 rugby union clubs in the United States, including those affiliated with collegiate rugby. Since 2017, a professional club tournament has been known as Major League Rugby. During the forecast year, such events will boost sales of rugby apparel.
Additionally, various high-profile rugby competitions are held in the United States. The USA Sevens is an international February competition that draws over 60,000 people. The United States national team hosts international matches in front of an estimated 20,000 fans in June. The Collegiate Rugby Championship is held in June in Chester, Pennsylvania, a Philadelphia suburb, and draws around 20,000 spectators. As a result of the increased number of games and events, the demand for rugby clothing is predicted to rise significantly throughout the projection period.
Europe is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 12.5% over the forecast period. Europe will have a considerable revenue share of more than 35%. Over the forecast period, the region is expected to have the greatest CAGR. The region's growth is due to the massive popularity of rugby in major countries such as the United Kingdom, France, Spain, and others and the region's high engagement in sports. Furthermore, the growing participation of female rugby professionals is adding to the market's expansion. Again, many important companies operating in the region are fueling market expansion. England, France, Italy, Ireland, and Germany are the top European countries with the most active rugby players. The competitive climate created by regional businesses is a crucial factor driving the expansion of the European market.
Furthermore, this region's expanding number of events drives up market demand. In 2022, Europe will host the Rugby Six Nations competition on six continents. Again, the increased engagement of female rugby professionals is fueling market growth. The region has sponsored several women's events, such as the Women's Rugby Europe Championship 2022, to enhance participation. Furthermore, many significant enterprises operating in the region are driving market growth.
Asia-Pacific is likely to proliferate during the forecast period, according to global market insights. The segment's expansion can be ascribed to the region's growing rugby fan population, particularly in China and India. The shorter version of the game draws new and youthful fans worldwide, increasing the use and adoption of rugby apparel. Rugby's popularity in the region has expanded further due to the recently held Rugby World Cup in 2019, which was hosted in Japan, generating substantial interest in rugby and ultimately driving industrial growth.
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Upper Wear
Upper Wear in rugby typically refers to jerseys, training tops, and other upper body-covering clothes. These are essential parts of a player's equipment and frequently feature team colors, emblems, and player numbers. In 2022, the upper wear segment led the market, accounting for more than 55% of total sales. The segment's growth and domination can be linked to the widespread use of rugby upperwear clothing such as shirts, jerseys, and others because they are comfortable and can be worn in any situation. The availability of upper Wear with a lighter feel aids in perspiration management, and aerodynamic clothing is in high demand, adding to market growth throughout the projection period. Rugby players require clothing that lowers fluid loss when sweating and promotes cooling while playing, which drives the use of such clothing. Furthermore, given that rugby is a challenging game, the availability, high demand, and usage of high-performance rugby upperwear clothing that is strong and durable will likely add to segment growth in the coming years.
Bottom Wear
Shorts and pants developed exclusively for rugby players are examples of bottom apparel. To accommodate the dynamic nature of the sport, these clothing prioritize flexibility, durability, and freedom of movement. The bottom wear category is predicted to rise at a considerable CAGR throughout the forecast period due to its increasing use among participants. Rugby bottom wear is designed to endure the Wear and tear involved with the tough game of rugby because it is sturdy and less elastic than other varieties of bottom Wear.
Rugby bottom wear improves agility and mobility, allowing players to move fast and bring the ball into space while playing the game. These bottoms also assist players in staying cool in hot conditions and enable them to breathe more easily. Furthermore, bottom gear, such as shorts, does not block other players' vision and protects them from injury. Bottomwear usage is expanding due to the issues above, contributing to segment growth.
