Okay, here’s a breakdown of the key findings from the provided text, organized for clarity.
Key Findings from the Sport Industry Report 2026
I. fan & Professional Sentiment – Overall optimism, but with Concerns
* Optimism: 78% of both fans and professionals are confident about the future of sport.
* Financial Concerns: 63% of professionals are concerned about the financial health of sport.
II. Emerging Trends & Issues
* Betting: Increasing engagement with sports betting (44% of fans engage at least once a month, rising to 71% among 18–34s), but 48% believe it has a negative influence on sport.
* Climate change: A important concern – 56% of fans and 70% of professionals view it as an existential threat to sport.
* Social Media Regulation: Strong support for restrictions on social media for under-16s (80% of fans, 92% of professionals).
* Athlete Protection: overwhelming support for better protection of athletes from online abuse (83% of fans, 90% of professionals).
III. sport’s Broader Role in Society
* Social Responsibility: A majority believe sport has a greater responsibility to drive social change than other industries (72% of fans, 75% of professionals).
* Accessibility: Strong support for guaranteed free-to-air access and participation for all audiences (78% of fans, 89% of professionals).
IV. Key Quotes from Industry Leaders
* Nick Keller (Sport Industry Group): Highlights the contradiction of confidence amidst global instability, emphasizing the need for intentional choices for future growth.
* Andrew Milnes (Nielsen): Emphasizes the alignment between fans and professionals and the expectation for the industry to lead on key issues.
* Simon Mantell (EY): Points to a dynamic opportunity landscape, the need for diversified revenue models, community engagement, and technology experimentation, and the potential for collaboration and long-term investment.
In essence, the report paints a picture of an industry that is optimistic but aware of significant challenges and a growing expectation for it to take a leadership role on social and environmental issues.
