Writing for Jing Daily, Julienna Law reports that Saudi Arabia’s sportswear and athleisure apparel market is set to boom as women, in particular, become more active in sports.
“The Saudi Sports Ministry and the Saudi Federations for each sport are doing some amazing things to get people, especially women, excited about sports with programs, competitions, courses, teams, and lots of events they are holding,” says Yara Alsaleem, a Saudi university student who enjoys yoga and running. “They’re actually making sure everyone has what they need to dive into the world of sports and have a fantastic time! It’s like a fitness revolution.”
Ms. Law points out that Saudi Arabia’s sportswear and athleisure apparel market was worth $1.3 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach $1.5 billion by 2027. Numerous trends are coming together to grow the industry.
63 percent of the population is under age 20 and according to a study by Astute Analytica, “Saudi Arabia’s fitness studios and gyms market reached a valuation of $968 million in 2023, with the 18-34 age group accounting for more than half of its revenue.”
According to Reiting Lee, founder of The Oriental Hybrid, a consulting agency that connects Arabic and Chinese-speaking markets, “social media trends, health awareness, overseas education, and government initiatives are the four main factors driving the sportswear trend in the kingdom.”
“Influencers, athletes, and fitness enthusiasts on platforms like Instagram and Snapchat have helped popularize sports and athleisure products among the younger population, driving demand for these products,” notes Nahar Almarzougi, founder of Chapter4, a local multi-brand fashion platform that sells international designer brands.
Ms. Law notes that the, “Sports for All Federation (SFA), a non-profit organization that serves as the governing body for competitive functional fitness in Saudi Arabia, has ramped up sports involvement dramatically by establishing nearly 1,000 community sports groups and organizing marathons and tournaments. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Sports, which sets policies and represents Saudi Arabian sport at an international level, encourages participation through cash prizes, incubation programs, and social media campaigns.”
International brands such as Adidas are especially popular but local brands such as Mazrood, 186 and Kayanee are growing quickly.
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