Forget about the contents in TikTok o Twitch. Those are tactical actions. In the information age, the data and the technologycapturing the attention and interest of the younger generations has become more and more challenging and it is like the search for the holy grail. How do we reach the generations of centennials y alpha?. The sports industry is no exception, as today it faces competition from a wide range of entertainment digital and leisure activities. With all this context, investing in sports “emerging” and fast-growing has become a strategy that can be key to connecting with younger audiences and ensuring a viable future of the sports industry. And I’m not exaggerating. Let’s analyze. Sports like paddle tennis, pickleball, eSportsthe same golf, futsal, the parkourhe CrossFithe skateboardingdisc golf and sports reality virtual have experienced significant growth in recent years. These sports in particular have managed to appeal to the younger generation for a variety of reasons, including their accessibility, fun, innovation, and the opportunities they provide to build social connections and compete in an exciting environment.
One of the main attractions is accessibility. Many of them are easy to pick up and play, making them attractive options for people of all ages and skill levels. Some of these sports, such as pickleball and disc golf, require a minimal investment of time and money to get started, making them even more attractive to those seeking accessible recreational and sporting activities. And it is that we also have to consider that children and young people seek to participate in subjects that are not saturated and that can be more easily accepted and even stand out compared to other sports. That this has been a fundamental part of the success of the eSports: They opened the doors to other types of people with other types of skills. And we are seeing this phenomenon with the emerging ones. There is also aspiration.
Fun and excitement are also key aspects of attraction. The parkour and the skateboarding they offer a fresh and exciting approach to physical activity, allowing those who practice it to explore their creativity and freedom, two words that are more than important to the audience. Be careful with that. At the same time, eSports combine sports competition with the digital world and technology, which especially resonates with audiences who are interested in the intersection between sport and technological innovation. Even many “traditional” sports are incorporating elements into their television broadcasts that resemble video games and this trend will increase in the coming years. As if that weren’t enough, many of these growing sports provide opportunities to make new connections and relationships with people who share similar interests. Participate, for example, in CrossFit and in Ultimate Frisbee, it can allow players to find a community of mates and friends with whom to enjoy the activity. The social aspect of these sports is not only a major motivating factor for the younger generation, but also contributes to building a strong fan and supporter base. If they want niche, but very faithful.
Investing in these sports can also offer opportunities to capitalize on the growth of new markets and audiences. The best case is eSports which have experienced explosive growth around the world in the last decade, attracting millions of players and viewers. With ever-increasing prize money and a growing fan base, competitive gaming is attracting significant investment and expanding its reach through broadcast deals and arena/stadium events. And in Mexicothere is still a lot to be done with the industry of gaming. By injecting capital into the development and promotion, the sports industry can ensure its relevance and attractiveness for generations that seem disconnected from the “status quo”. And it goes without saying that these investments can take various forms, such as the construction of infrastructure, the creation of training and development programs, and the establishment of alliances with local organizations and entities to promote and
expand etc Let’s think for a moment about investing in infrastructure (private initiative, governments,
sponsors), such as the construction of parks skatedisc golf courses and sports centers eSports, to allow access and participation in these emerging sports. The availability of suitable and accessible facilities should drive growth and popularity, while providing more opportunities to engage and connect with these disciplines.
Investing in these emerging sports is not only an effective strategy for connecting with younger audiences, it is also an investment in the future of the sports industry as a whole. By supporting the growth and expansion of these sports, the industry can ensure their relevance and appeal to future generations, while also benefiting from the growth of new markets and opportunities.
It is essential that we begin to see these phenomena with other sports in order to connect with younger audiences and guarantee a sports industry of a different size in the long term. You have to study them, and if not, let’s see what is happening with Padel, Pickeball or with the tournaments and related events that it is generating the river plains. There are also other options and there is a market for everyone.
