Today, the China Sporting Goods Federation released the Annual Development Report on China's Sporting Goods Industry (2025). According to the report, in 2024, the total output of China's sporting goods manufacturing and sales sectors reached RMB 2.085 trillion, up 3.6% year on year, accounting for 54.3% of the total output of the sports industry. Among these figures, the added value of sporting goods and related product manufacturing reached RMB 424.5 billion, representing 26.5% of the sports industry's total added value.
The Sporting Goods Industry Demonstrates Resilience, Reinforcing Its Role as a Pillar of the Economy
Since 2022, the growth rate of value added in sporting goods manufacturing has consistently outpaced that of the overall manufacturing sector. Its share of total manufacturing value added rose steadily from 1.08% in 2021 to 1.27% in 2024. This indicates that sporting goods manufacturing continues to expand its presence in China's manufacturing landscape and plays an increasingly important role in strengthening the country's manufacturing capabilities.
Market Demand Continues to Grow, with Diverging Trends Across Product Categories
Domestic demand for sporting goods continues to expand, with online channels serving as a key growth driver. However, performance varies considerably across product categories.
Sales of outdoor, mountaineering, camping, and travel products reached RMB 142.372 billion, up 22.22% year on year, highlighting how the outdoor economy is fueling a new wave of sports consumption.
Meanwhile, sales of bicycles, cycling equipment, and accessories totaled RMB 18.431 billion, down 5.56% year on year, as the sector entered a period of adjustment and upgrading.
Sports Companies Accelerate Global Expansion as Business Confidence Strengthens
The report notes that Chinese sporting goods companies are undergoing a significant transformation in their global expansion strategies, shifting from exporting products to establishing overseas production capacity and building international brands.
Among the surveyed companies, 24 had established overseas factories or planned to do so, accounting for 15.38% of the total sample. Regarding investment destinations, 14 companies identified Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam, as their preferred locations, representing 58.33% of those pursuing overseas manufacturing investments.
As an original indicator introduced by the report, the Sporting Goods Industry Business Climate Index was released for the third consecutive year. The index reached 158.7 in 2025, up from 143.8 in 2024, moving from the “relatively prosperous” range to the “highly prosperous” range. This reflects improved business performance and stronger corporate expectations across the industry.