The boxing market - Spain

Since 2020, the boxing and associated markets like Muay Thai and kickboxing have experienced significant fluctuations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of boxing graduates in Spain saw a sharp decline from 12,155 in 2019 to 6,692 in 2021 - a drop of 44.94%. However, Muay Thai and kickboxing demonstrated resilience and grew in popularity, with the number of practitioners rising by 41.88% over five years, reaching 12,982 affiliates in 2021. This surge was evident despite the broader challenges faced by the fitness and sports sectors during the pandemic. The increased interest in combat sports among women was noted before 2020, but the pandemic reversed this trend, with female participation in boxing falling to 15.2% in 2021.

Geographically, the sport's popularity varied across Spain with regions like Galicia, Madrid, Valencia, and the Canary Islands hosting many enthusiasts. With the easing of restrictions and the innovative use of technology in connected equipment, there is potential for recovery and growth in these markets. Despite the setback caused by the pandemic, new platforms and digital solutions are emerging, contributing to the ongoing evolution of the boxing and fitness market.

Demand for Boxing and Derivative Practices in Spain

In recent years, Spain has seen a notable surge in interest in the boxing market. While the global boxing equipment market was estimated at roughly €1 billion, we see the reverberations of this growth within Spain, where specialized boxing clubs have become increasingly popular. The Spanish boxing market, particularly after a period of robust growth, faced a steep challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this adversity was followed by a resurgence in 2021 and 2022, as the market adapted and rebounded. One of the key trends in Spain's boxing market is the diversification of boxing practices and the widespread acceptance of various derivative activities such as body combat, B3B method, Fitboxing, cardio boxing, and piloxing. Offered through gyms which witnessed an increasing attendance rate with about 13% of the Spanish population in 2022; women constituted slightly more than 20%, indicating strong potential demand for boxing-related workouts. One remarkable aspect is the feminization of boxing in Spain.

The percentage of women practicing boxing with a sports license saw a growth from around 1.4% to nearly 1.8% of the total sporting licenses issued. While Muay Thai and Kickboxing also share this trend, these sports boast a slightly higher percentage of female participants at approximately 18.9%. A shift in preference from traditional boxing to Muay Thai and Kickboxing is evident, particularly as the latter disciplines eclipsed English boxing in the number of licensed athletes for the first time during the pandemic. Nonetheless, boxing retains its stronghold in Spain, validated by an audience of over 1 million on YouTube for a single event featuring Youtubers. In terms of geographic distribution, boxing as well as its derived sports like Muay Thai and Kickboxing show regional disparities. While Galicia leads with around 17% of the country's boxing graduates, Andalusia appears more inclined towards Muay Thai and Kickboxing with over 20%. From a financial and regulatory perspective, the Spanish Boxing Federation plays an integral role despite its limited budgetary means of around €1.7 million. This budget is earmarked for promoting all forms of boxing, from professional to educational and veteran, offering growth opportunities for practitioners as well as businesses involved in the supply of boxing equipment and services. To conclude, despite facing pandemic-induced setbacks, the boxing market in Spain shows promising signs of growth and diversification. With an increasing number of participants.

Prominent Market Players in the Spanish Boxing Industry

The Spanish boxing market is comprised of a variety of participants that span from federations overseeing the sport's regulations and growth, to the manufacturers and retailers providing necessary equipment to practitioners. While the market ecosystem is diverse, certain key players emerge as central figures in the boxing world in Spain.

• The Spanish Boxing Federation (FEB) As the Olympic federation tasked with the organization and promotion of boxing in Spain, the Spanish Boxing Federation is a cornerstone of the boxing industry. Established in 1922, the FEB offers various boxing modalities that cater to the nuances of age, gender, and personal motivation — from the fervor of professional boxing to the more pace-measured educational boxing. Registrations reveal that as of 2021, the FEB successfully continues to oversee 541 boxing clubs with a membership count of 12,982, underlining its pivotal role in the governance and expansion of boxing within the nation.
• Manufacturers of Boxing Gear An integral part of the boxing market structure is the manufacturers that produce and supply the quintessential gear for boxers. Companies such as Paffen Sport, Buddha Sports, and Kwon stand out as notable providers of boxing equipment in Spain. They are joined by internationally renowned brands like Everlast and Venum, which have made a significant mark in the industry owing to their longstanding reputation for quality. Everlast, for example, boasts an impressive trajectory, with its roots planted deep in the annals of boxing history.
• Retailers of Boxing Articles When it comes to retail, several prominent entities cater to the boxing equipment needs in Spain. Decathlon is one such name that stands out, operating as a one-stop shop for boxing aficionados. El Corte Inglés adds to the retail space with its extensive assortment of sporting goods, which includes boxing equipment. Prozis and Decimas SLU also contribute to this segment, offering a range of products catering to boxers of all levels. Complementing these is Amazon, which serves as a global marketplace for boxing gear, and Forum Sport Sociedad Anonima, tying up the network of suppliers that ensure boxers can access gear with ease.  

What this mapping of the Spanish boxing industry’s key players highlights is a well-structured market that supports both the operational and the consumer facets of boxing. The FEB’s role is crucial for formalizing and promoting boxing practices while equipment manufacturers and retailers like Everlast, Venum, Decathlon, and El Corte Inglés

Inforamtion

• Number of pages : ~ 40 pages
• Format : Digital and PDF versions
• Last update : 07/04/2023

Summary and extracts

List of charts presented in this market study

• Size of the global boxing gloves market
• ¿ Como los Españoles boxean ?
• ¿ Cuantos españoles Boxean entre los que tienen una licencia ?
• ¿ A que edad los Españoles boxean ?
• Distribución porcentual en cuanto al sexo en los licenciados de Boxeo
• Evolución del número de licenciados de Boxeo/Muaythai Kik Boxing en España
• Deportes más seguidos en España en 2022
• Pratique muay thai en espagne / sexe
• Evolución porcentual de los españoles acudiendo al gimnasio
• % de españoles acudiendo al gimnasio en función del género
• Actividades preferidas de los españoles en los gimnasios
• Evolución del número de clubes de Boxeo y Muaythai / kickboxing federados en España
• Precios de las clases de Boxeo en España
• Evolución porcentual de hombres y mujeres teniendo una licencia de boxeo Muaythai / kickboxing