Sport participation in the UK is on the rise. The landscape is evolving rapidly, reflecting changes in attitudes and motivations to keep fit and enjoy sports.
The number of people taking part in sport and physical activity in England is at the highest level on record. According to Sport England, between November 2023 and November 2024, 64% of adults in England - roughly 30 million people - met the Chief Medical Officers' guideline of at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week.1 This is a significant increase from the last survey, with nearly 2.4 million more adults physically active regularly than in 2016.1 This growth reflects the change in people's attitudes towards an active lifestyle. It also highlights the role of sports professionals and sports volunteers in encouraging participation. The rise is also influenced by social factors such as community engagement and social and community development initiatives.
Growth and diversification of sports
Although traditional sports remain central to UK sports culture, many people are opting for more flexible, wellness-oriented that support a healthy lifestyle and well being.
Lifestyle sports which combine recreation, creativity, and personal expression, have moved into mainstream culture, such as:
- Snowboarding
- Skiing
- Mountain biking
- Trail running.
In contrast to traditional competitive sports such as football, cricket or rugby, lifestyle sports place greater emphasis on individuality and self-directed participation. This can positively affect an individual's control over their physical development and mental toughness.
Interest in running continues to rise. Strava's 2024 Year In Sport report shows a 9% rise in races logged. It also shows over a quarter of people in Britain now run at least once or twice per week. That's 5% more than this time last year.2 This trend highlights the growing appeal of fitness activities. It also highlights the importance of acquiring skills that promote self confidence and self belief. The diversification also reflects efforts to engage minority ethnic groups. This has included more positive role models and tailored programmes encouraging participation across different demographics, including South Asian women and disabled people.
The padel phenomenon
One of the most dramatic trends is the explosion of padel, a hybrid of tennis and squash that's quickly becoming one of Britain's fastest-rising racquet sports. By the end of 2024, over 400,000 adults and young people reported playing padel at least once in the 12 months before, according to the Lawn Tennis Association.3
The infrastructure has grown in response to the demand. There are now 893 padel courts across roughly 300 venues nationwide, up from just 187 in 2021. Sport England's "twice-monthly" metric shows regular players doubled from 23,000 in 2022–23 to 51,000 in 2023–24.4 This rapid growth is a significant predictor of the sport's rising popularity at the national level. This was driven by effective organising sport efforts and increased media coverage. The surge also reflects the change in people's age demographics engaging in new forms of sport or physical activity. Younger players are benefiting from improved gross motor skills development and key life skills acquired through participation.
Women's participation
Female participation in sport is rising. According to a Mintel report, over half of women report participating in sport. An additional 13% express interest in becoming active.4
This shift has translated into demand for female-focused training spaces, women's leagues, and inclusive sports opportunities. Many women are looking for flexibility, community, and compatibility with their busy lives. Increased girls participation is supported by initiatives from the youth sport trust. Government departments are also aiming to address gender combine challenges and improve self esteem and body image among women and girls. Research shows that family background and role models can positively affect participation rates, particularly among ethnic minorities and older adults. These efforts contribute to a more active life and greater life satisfaction for women across the UK.
Esports, virtual reality and technology-driven activity
Beyond physical sport, there's a growing interest in technology-enabled options. This includes esports, virtual reality (VR), and interactive fitness platforms. Esports are projected to reach over 23 million users in the UK by 2029.5
Virtual reality (VR) and technology-enhanced fitness are also reshaping the landscape. VR training environments, interactive fitness platforms, and AI-powered coaching tools are becoming more common in both home and commercial gym settings. They provide immersive, personalised experiences that support individual development and encourage confident movers of all ages. This shift reflects a different influence on how people engage with physical activity compared to traditional sports. It appeals to a broader segment of the general population, including those with lower incomes who may find technology-driven options more accessible.
Motivations for sport
It's not just physical benefits that people are gaining from taking part in sports. More people are exercising and joining gyms to improve and manage their mental health.
The 2026 ACSM Worldwide Trends Survey ranked exercise for mental health as the 6th most significant trend to watch. This is up from 8th place in 2025 and 2024.6
The UK's ageing but active population is sustaining demand for low-impact sports such as golf, swimming, Pilates, and walking football. This trend aligns with research showing that time spent on physical activity compared to previous years remains steady despite a significant drop in some high-impact activities. This was due to decreasing flexibility and changes related to the growth spurt and skill puberty phases in younger participants. The continued focus on school sport and team sport also supports healthy individual development. It also helps bridge gaps between non disabled and disability sport participation.
Conclusion
While traditional sports remain popular, there's clear growth in lifestyle and wellness-focused activities. Women's participation continues to increase, and technology-driven options like esports and virtual reality fitness are expanding the definition of sport. Increasingly, people are engaging in physical activity not only for fitness, but to support mental wellbeing.
Sources
1. sportengland.org/record-numbers-playing-sport-and-taking-part-physical-activity
2. sportsshoes.com/running-report
3. thepadelpaper.com/padel-participation-uk-lta-figures
4. store.mintel.com/uk-sports-participation-market-report
5. statista.com/esports-in-the-uk
6. journals.lww.com/2025_acsm_worldwide_fitness_trends__future
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