Themen:
Insights February 9, 2026

PERSPECTIVES Special February 2026 The global sports industry Game on: unlocking investor value

Dr. Ulrich Stephan, Chief Investment Officer Germany. Ramona Rueckbeil, Senior Investment Strategist. Lorenz Majal, Senior Investment Strategist.

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The global sports industry has entered a new growth phase with the emergence of new sports, a rapidly expanding global fan base and diverse investor groups. Digitization and smart technology are transforming how fans experience sport. In short, we are experiencing a fundamental shift in how sports are consumed, monetised and valued as an asset class.

In this PERSPECTIVES Special we look at the reasons behind this growth, M&A activities and private investment, why regional differences matter for investors and the opportunities for further sports industry innovation.

Key takeaways 

  • For investors, the global sports industry offers compelling opportunities for growth and diversification – particularly in private markets.
  • Traditional revenue sources for sports clubs are being supplemented by new business models to diversify income streams.
  • Investment options range from established franchises to emerging sports and tech platforms, offering varying potential growth/risk profiles. 

Contents

01. Introduction: growth and transformation

02. Reasons for global sports market growth (Box 1: Sports industry’s revenue streams)

03. M&A activity and private investment

04. Regional dynamics and opportunities

05. Specific and structural tailwinds (Box 2: Possibilities in the public markets)

06. More opportunities for innovation

07. Conclusion: game on

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