Summary of our market study

The global climbing gym market has been exhibiting strong growth, with expectations to expand from a valuation of US$5 billion in 2022 to over US$9 billion by 2027, reflecting a CAGR of 12.5%. This surge is partly attributed to the popularity of outdoor activities, which has seen an uptick following the pandemic, with national parks in Spain reporting a 30% increase in visitors in 2020 compared to 2019. The Spanish market, a subset of this global growth, witnessed a remarkable 78% increase in Federación Española de Montaña y Escalada (Fedme) licensees between 2010 and 2019, and a further 10% uptick in 2021. This has translated into a high estimate of €250 million in sales for the climbing sector in Spain during 2021.

The sector is experiencing a feminization trend, with women representing 35.26% of total Fedme licensees, and a growing interest among young enthusiasts, as reflected by climbing being the second most chosen discipline in middle-grade sports studies in 2020. The leading players like Top-30 (Climbat and Dock39), Indoorwall, Sharma Climbing, and Sputnik are capitalizing on this trend by investing millions in expanding and establishing multi-complexes that combine various climbing disciplines. Additionally, the emergence of a nature sports trend, where Spaniards dedicate an average of 3.7 hours a week to outdoor activities, has reinforced the popularity of indoor climbing facilities that serve as social hubs offering additional services to enhance community and foster loyalty.

Climbing Gyms in Spain: A Rising Trend Among the Young and Social

Climbing, both as an outdoor and indoor activity, has seen a significant upsurge in popularity across Spain, becoming a fashionable discipline that appeals to a young and dynamic audience. With climbing gyms mushrooming to meet this growing demand, the market dynamics in Spain reflect a youth-driven enthusiasm for the sport, further kindled by the trend of socializing in such settings post-pandemic. The Spanish market, as outlined in the provided analysis, paints a picture of a sport that has struck a chord with millennials and Generation Z, turning climbing gyms into modern-day social hubs. These facilities are not just about climbing; they are places where young adults gather, creating a community feel that goes beyond the activity itself. As evidence of this burgeoning trend, one may note the participation increase in university climbing championships and the substantial number of younger students taking up the sport. This has resulted in climbing gyms becoming a part of the regular urban landscape, with major gym operators like Top-30, Indoorwall, Sharma Climbing, and Sputnik competing in a market estimated to be worth between €200 and €250 million in 2021.

Spain's climbing gyms market is inclusive, with a noticeable feminization: women account for over 35% of the climbing and mountaineering federation's licensees. This marks an increase in women's participation from previous years, contributing significantly to the market's growth. Furthermore, the overall enthusiasm for nature sports, amplified post-lockdown with people flocking to national parks and engaging in outdoor sports, has had a paradoxical effect: a rise in indoor climbing, as enthusiasts seek year-round access to climbing facilities. The geographical distribution of climbing practices correlates with the vicinity to mountainous regions such as Catalunya and the basque country, with a high number of licensed climbers and clubs. Moreover, the climbing gym market presents a structured hierarchy of main players, with larger multi-complexes offering the three Olympic climbing disciplines: speed, difficulty, and bouldering. From a revenue perspective, the Spanish indoor climbing trend draws on insights from the mature US market, where equipment sales constitute an essential part of revenue streams for these facilities. In Spain, while concrete data on income breakdown is not detailed, it can be assumed a diversification of revenue lines is pursued, including equipment sales, subscriptions, and additional services. As the market continues to expand, climbing gyms are bound to further their appeal by focusing on community building and offering.

Climbing Higher: The Key Players Scaling the Heights of Spain's Indoor Climbing Market

Spain's indoor climbing market is experiencing robust growth, driven by a surge in enthusiasm for climbing sports and lifestyle-oriented fitness options. Let's take a closer look at the main market players who are not just creating spaces for physical activity but also fostering vibrant communities around the sport.

  • Federación Española de Deportes de Montaña y Escalada (FEDME) - As the national federation for mountain sports and climbing in Spain, FEDME plays an instrumental role in organizing events, establishing safety standards, and promoting climbing among Spaniards. They don't operate climbing gyms directly but significantly contribute to the sector's development through advocacy and training programs.
  • Top-30 (Climbat and Dock-39) - By combining the innovative Climbat and Dock-39 centers, Top-30 offers an extensive range of climbing facilities that excel in both variety and quality. Their centers cater to climbers of all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned athletes, making the sport accessible and enjoyable for a broad audience.
  • Indoorwall - Positioned as a prominent chain of climbing gyms, Indoorwall provides enthusiasts with an array of indoor climbing experiences. With several locations and plans for expansion, they are keenly focused on bringing high-caliber facilities to climbers across the nation and even internationally.
  • Sharma Climbing - Founded by world-renowned climber Chris Sharma, these gyms embody the passion and expertise of climbing at its best. Sharma Climbing offers a holistic climbing environment, blending massive climbing spaces with a strong community vibe, making it a beacon for climbers of all ages.
  • Sputnik Climbing - Distinguished for their modern and friendly approach, Sputnik Climbing centers are not just about the vertical challenge but also about the social experience. Incorporating cafes and community events, Sputnik is a trendsetter in shaping climbing gyms as a place for comfortable socialization and lifestyle engagement.
  • Climbing Planet - A smaller yet significant player in the market, Climbing Planet caters to the climbing community with a more intimate approach. Their centers focus on providing quality over quantity, ensuring that each visitor has a fulfilling and safe climbing experience.
  • Entre-Prises - Renowned for manufacturing state-of-the-art climbing walls, Entre-Prises has significantly contributed to the development of high-quality climbing infrastructure.

They are key suppliers for many gyms, helping operators offer the best possible climbing surfaces and experiences.

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Summary and extracts

1 Market overview

1.1 Definition and presentation

Climbing gyms are buildings where climbing can be practised: they bring climbing closer to the city, but also allow you to continue climbing without the constraints of the weather getting in the way. There are several types of climbing: cliff climbing, indoor climbing and bouldering (less than 3 metres high).

Climbing is on the rise worldwide, perceived as a trendy discipline, offering a physical challenge that's fun and close to nature in the case of cliff climbing. In the United States, it is estimated that around 4.4% of Americans practiced rock climbing in 2018, with a clear increase in interest and sharing of their activity via social networks. This "massification" of climbing has led to the development of specific structures that enable year-round urban practice.

In Spain, climbing gyms are also becoming increasingly popular. both physical and psychological, climbing has won over a young public who often share their experience via social networks. Numerous gyms have opened to meet this new demand. Huge complexes have sprung up, such as Sharma Climbing Madrid, Spain's largest climbing gym, with over 4,000 square metres of space and an average daily attendance of 800. Smaller gyms have tended to open on the outskirts of cities, to take advantage of cheaper land and high, prefabricated buildings for climbing walls.

1.2 Global market

The global climbing gyms market is set for solid growth over the next decade. Between **** and ****, CAGR is expected to reach **.*%, boosting the sector's sales from US$* billion in **** to over US$* billion in ****. [***]

Sales growth in the climbing gyms market World, ****-****, US$ billion Source: ****

Paradoxically, the success of indoor climbing can be explained by the growing popularity of outdoor sports. Indeed, customers have often discovered outdoor climbing, particularly during vacation periods, and want to continue climbing close to home, all year round. In addition, more and more women are joining our ranks.

1.3 Spanish market

The number of Federación Española de Montaña y Escalada (***) licensees rose sharply between **** and ****, from ***,*** in **** to ***,*** in ****, an increase of +**%.in ****, it will reach precisely ***,***, an increase of almost +**% in one year.

A monthly subscription to the climbing gym costs around €**[***], i.e. €**x** = €*** a year for a regular. Let's assume that every member has a year-round subscription, to give a high estimate of the sector's sales. We obtain a figure of €*** million in sales for the sector in ****. The estimate is high insofar as it is based on the assumption of maximum licensee loyalty, without distinguishing between licensees concerned with mountaineering and those who prefer climbing. However, it is credible insofar as each center offers ancillary services: equipment rental, catering services, and in some cases relaxation and wellness services (***).

Estimated sales based on number of licensees Spain, ****-****, € million Source: ****

A figure of the same order of magnitude can be obtained from other figures. Indeed, we know that the country's biggest indoor climbing center is Sputnik, which achieved record revenues in ****: €*.* million. And yet there are *** such gyms all over Spain[***]

2 Demand analysis

2.1 Socializing place for young customers

In the wake of the pandemic, Spaniards are looking for places to socialize. This is one of the reasons why climbing gyms have become so popular in recent years. Sputnik Climbing, for example, expects to double its sales between **** and ****[***].

Indoor climbing is a trend driven by the younger generations, with Millenials and Generation Z at the forefront. According to the director of Bloc District, the heart of its clientele is made up of young people aged between ** and **[***]. While discotheques have long been closed due to the pandemic, climbing centers have enabled them to meet young people of their own age.

This youthful enthusiasm is reflected not only in the number of participants in university championships in this discipline, but also in the number of students who are destined to take up the sport. In ****, ** students chose climbing for the "Campeonatos de España Universitarios", as many as for golf, more than for equestrian sports, and slightly fewer than for badminton. For the younger age groups (***) was second only to Football in ****.

Distribution of students enrolled in "Grado Medio" Sports Studies by discipline Spain, ****, % Source: ****

Children are also a target group, through another type of service: course builder Gecko Walls ...

2.2 The feminization of the sector

In ****, the number of female licensees reached *****. This is the second-largest group of female sports licensees, just behind basketball. [***] In relation to the number of Fedme (***) licensees, women represent **.**% of the total.

Mountain and climbing federation licensees by gender Spain, ****-****, number of licensees Source: ****

According to figures from the Ministry of Culture and Sport, the number of female licensees has thus grown by +**.*% from **** to ****, increasing the proportion of women in the sport from **.**% to **.**%.

2.3 Nature sports trends

following containment, in **** many national parks recorded a significant increase in visitor numbers. Those in Sierra de Guadarrama and Cabañeros saw a **% increase over ****. [***]. Paradoxically, indoor climbing should benefit from the appeal of outdoor sports.

Breakdown of sales by product Europe, ****, % Source: ****

According to the same study, the outdoor sector grew by +**.*% in Europe between **** and ****. For climbing, the increase is +*%.

3 Market structure

3.1 Geographical distribution of practice

The data compiled by the French Ministry of Culture and Sport do not distinguish between licensees practicing mountain sports and those practicing indoor climbing. However, the number of licensees by region enables us to observe the regions where this sector is most dynamic.

Catalonia and the Basque Country record the highest number of Mountain and Climbing Federation members. There were over **,*** in Catalonia in ****. The proximity of these regions to the Pyrenees may well explain their appeal. Andalusia and the communities of Madrid and Valencia also boast a large number of licensees. So it's only natural that indoor climbing gyms should emerge as a priority in the major cities of these regions.

In total, there are *,*** sports clubs in Spain affiliated to the Mountain and Climbing Federation, including *** in Andalusia, *** in Catalonia, *** in the Valencian Community, *** in the Basque Country and *** in Madrid.

Number of mountain and climbing clubs by region Spain, ****, unit Source: ****

The total number of clubs for this discipline has risen in recent years. Between **** and ****, it will rise from **** to ****, an increase of +*.*%, so as to represent almost *% of the total number of clubs for all sports combined.

evolution of the number of climbing clubs Spain, ****-****, ...

3.2 Main players

Most of the following players offer gigantic multi-complexes combining the three Olympic disciplines: speed, difficulty and bouldering.

Number of climbing gyms per chain Spain, ****, unit Source: ****

3.3 Revenue structure

As the indoor climbing trend is still relatively recent in Europe, it may be interesting to take a look at the situation on the other side of the Atlantic. The United States is a pioneer in this market. As a result, of the $*** million generated by the country's *** climbing centers, $*** million comes from equipment sales, including over $** million for shoes. By ****, climbing had generated a total of US$** billion in the country, mainly through induced travel.

Breakdown of climbing gyms by revenue source united States, ****, % Source: ****

4 Offer analysis

4.1 Price list

Most climbing gyms offer prices by the day or by the month. The table below shows a selection of prices.

Most gyms also offer student rates, and sometimes even special offers for couples, families or the unemployed. There's a wide range of options, from annual subscriptions to **-session packs.

Last but not least, you can hire equipment, which is not included in the entrance fee:

Helmet ; Harnesses ; Climbing shoes; Rope.

rental usually costs less than €*.

4.2 Beyond climbing: a community

To compete with gyms and keep up with the hype, climbing gyms are focusing on creating a community within an Instagrammable universe. The A* consulting agency lists the elements that will build customer loyalty:

Cleanliness; Variety of outlets and routes; Good temperature and humidity management; Safety.

Finally, the agency recommends the presence of complementary services, which not only enhance the conviviality of the venue, but also generate new income:

A sports equipment boutique; A library area with WiFi and recharging facilities; A bar or cafeteria; An infirmary or physiotherapy service.

Finally, it's worth highlighting the ancillary activities that can be offered: fitness, pilates, yoga, weight training, or even sauna and hammam.

5 Regulations

5.1 Current regulations

The normative framework governing the construction of climbing gyms is based on two standards:

UNE *****-*: "Structures artificielles d'escalade - Partie * : Exigences de sécurité et méthodes d'essai relatives aux SAE avec points d'assurage" Standard UNE *****-*: "Artificial climbing structures - Part *: Safety requirements and test methods for climbing walls and boulders"

These are European standards, which in principle are not mandatory, but help to develop standards of good practice. In this particular case, the aim is to define the methods for calculating the safety zone, which must be covered with floor mats to absorb falls. In Spain, these standards, now considered "normal" for the sector, became mandatory following a court ruling. [***]

6 Positioning the players

6.1 Segmentation

  • Sputnik Climbing
  • Top30
  • Indoorwall
  • Sharma Climbing
  • Climbing Planet
  • Entre-Prises
  • Gecko Walls
  • Walltopia
  • Decathlon Groupe

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