For Journalists & Media Professionals
The Definitive Source
for Sports & Fitness
Participation Research
The Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) provides the research, data, and expert insight journalists rely on to cover sports and fitness in the United States. From participation trends to consumer behavior and industry performance, our research helps explain what is happening and why it matters.
Members of the media may request complimentary access to SFIA reports, interviews with our team of experts, and supporting data for editorial coverage.
Why Reporters Rely on SFIA
~20 yrs
Of consistent participation research
18,000+
Americans surveyed annually
126
Sports and fitness activities tracked
~500
Media mentions annually
News and Research from SFIA
Stay up to date with the latest sports and fitness participation research, industry insights, advocacy initiatives, and organizational news from SFIA.
Explore More research
Looking for another report? We publish more than 90 single-sport reports, market studies, and special research throughout the year.
Our Research Methodology
Founded in 1906, SFIA has tracked sports and fitness participation for nearly 40 years. Since 2007, our research has used the same nationally representative methodology, providing nearly 20 years of consistent, directly comparable data on participation trends. Data collected before 2007 used a different methodology and should not be compared directly to more recent years.
Sports & Fitness Participation Research
SFIA's annual participation research, conducted as part of the Physical Activity Council (PAC), surveys more than 18,000 Americans each year to measure participation across 126 sports and fitness activities.
The study provides nationally representative insights into who participates, how often they participate, and how participation changes over time, making it one of the industry's most trusted resources for tracking long-term trends.
Each report includes a detailed methodology.
Sports & Fitness Industry Business intelligence
Each year, SFIA also surveys approximately 300 executives from across the sports and fitness industry to better understand business performance, market conditions, emerging opportunities, and industry priorities.
These findings help provide valuable context behind the numbers and inform reports like the annual State of the Industry Report.
Each report includes a detailed methodology.
Recent Media Coverage
SFIA research is regularly featured by national media outlets, trade publications, broadcasters, and industry organizations covering sports, fitness, recreation, and consumer trends.
Experts & Speakers
Looking for data, industry perspective, or a speaker for an upcoming event? SFIA experts are available for media interviews, podcasts, panels, and conference presentations.
Sports Participation
Long-term participation trends, emerging activities, demographics, and consumer behavior
Team & Youth Sports
Team sports participation, youth trends, CORE participation, coaching, and barriers to play
Fitness & Active Lifestyles
Fitness participation, running, strength training, outdoor activities, and evolving exercise trends
Industry trends
Business performance, consumer trends, market conditions, and the outlook for sports and fitness
Policy, Trade & Advocacy
Tariffs, trade, affordability, public policy, and issues affecting the sports and fitness industry
the Future of Participation
How the current decade of major sporting events can create opportunities to grow sports and fitness participation through 2034WARD
SFIA at a Glance
→ Nearly 20 years of comparable participation research
→ Surveys more than 18,000 Americans annually
→ Research cited approximately 500 times by media annually
→ Tracks participation across 126 sports and fitness activities
→ Surveys approximately 300 industry executives each year
→ Represents 700+ organizations, including manufacturers, brands, retailers, governing bodies, and industry partners
Download the SFIA Press Kit
Includes logos, organization overview, executive headshots, and brand assets.
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Sports & Fitness Insights in Your Feed
Follow @thesfia on Instagram for the latest participation trends, research highlights, data graphics, and industry insights.
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Media Requests
How Can We Help With Your Story?
Need participation data, an expert interview, or a copy of one of our reports? We are happy to help.
Members of the media may request complimentary access to SFIA research for editorial use.
