Olympics Increases Interest In Participation in Sports By +192.26% Since July
US Data analysis finds that general public interest in sporting participation increased by almost double the normal rate during the Summer Olympic Games.
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Out of all the sports, boxing sees the steepest rise in interest in the US
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Fitness clubs, weight lifting, and strength training gain the highest rises in interest
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Fencing, beach volleyball, and wrestling gain the most interest the sport
Data shows that the Paris 2024 Olympics had much better viewership ratings when compared to the Tokyo games, but aside from offering two and a half weeks of entertainment, the Olympics are inspiring more people to exercise more and even take up new sports.
Research conducted by Ticket-Compare has shown that there has been a notable surge in demand for gyms, clubs and fitness centres during the Olympics, as compared to before the event. In the USA, the average search interest in terms related to participating in or joining a new sport, increased by 192.26%.
Liran Froind, a sports data expert had this to say:
“There were indications before the Olympics that the event would garner a huge viewership base, but the reaction to the event is very interesting. We are seeing a strong correlation between people watching sports and getting inspired to exercise or even try out new sports.”
Here are the top 20 most in-demand sports:
| Day | Difference |
| boxing lessons near me | 85.13 |
| fitness clubs near me | 81.93 |
| weight lifting for beginners | 79.67 |
| wrestling gyms near me | 78.73 |
| beginner strength training | 77.13 |
| taekwondo classes near me | 74.27 |
| running clubs near me | 70.67 |
| indoor rock climbing near me | 70.40 |
| wrestling clubs near me | 70.07 |
| surf lessons near me | 67.33 |
| judo clubs | 60.80 |
| fighting classes near me | 59.33 |
| fencing classes near me | 55.73 |
| climbing wall near me | 54.53 |
| fencing club near me | 53.00 |
| beach volleyball near me | 52.97 |
| indoor football near me | 51.40 |
| archery clubs near me | 49.87 |
| workout gyms near me | 38.21 |
| kickboxing classes near me | 30.05 |
“In the data we can see a general increase in people going back to their regular exercise routines, but also see a growing demand for specific sports” Liran Froind said.
He also commented on people picking up new sports:
“We see fighting sports as a big winner this Olympics as the data showed a massive increase in Boxing, taekwondo and wrestling demand after the olympic games ended. It remains to be seen whether this demand continues or levels out”
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Methodology
The analysis performed by Ticket-Compare.com used Google Ads Keyword Planner to identify and gather a list of keywords relevant to both interest in sports participation and interest in starting a new sport, including sports played in the Olympics. The scope focused primarily on sports that did not have as much general interest outside of the Olympics.
These keywords were analyzed using Google Trends to identify how much search interest they had over time, on a scale of 0-1000, where 100 represents the peak search interest within a given period of time. This data was measured over a timeframe of June 1, 2024, to August 8, 2024, with a focus on the United States.
If you need the full data or more commentary please feel free to reach out.
If you do use any of the research or quotes in this release could you please credit Ticket-Compare by linking to their site. Thank you!
About Ticket-Compare.com:
Ticket-Compare is an online ticket reselling aggregator, that compiles the offerings from a wide range of online sellers, with the aim of helping customers find the best prices from the most reliable sources. They offer information on live events of all kinds, including live sports, music, festivals and the arts. The site uses cutting-edge algorithms and thorough screening to reflect the marketplace as clearly as possible.
Sources:
Google Trends
International Olympic Committee
NBC
Statista
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Author: David Keech
David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]
