Below you'll find the top 50 sports trends for 2026, spotted by Rising Trends's trend radar algorithm.
These topics were detected from online sources including TikTok, X (Twitter), Instagram, Reddit, news outlets, and Google Search data. Each trend has at least 1,000+ monthly searches and over 20% year-over-year growth.
All sports trends with over 20% year-over-year growth, ranked by search volume.
| # | Topic | 5Y Trend | Search Vol. | Growth 1Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ff Trade Analyzer | 450,000 | +124% | |
| 2 | Electric Dirt Bikes | 301,000 | +22% | |
| 3 | Hyrox | 301,000 | +174% | |
| 4 | Pickleball Paddle | 246,000 | +22% | |
| 5 | Sling Day Pass | 201,000 | +99X | |
| 6 | Decathlon | 135,000 | +23% | |
| 7 | Nissan Stadium | 135,000 | +82% | |
| 8 | Mls Season Pass | 90,500 | +400% | |
| 9 | Fantasy Calculator | 74,000 | +233% | |
| 10 | Performance Footwear | 60,500 | 38X | |
| 11 | Nfr | 60,500 | +22% | |
| 12 | Golf Rangefinder | 60,500 | +173% | |
| 13 | Padel Racket | 49,500 | +309% | |
| 14 | Cowboy Christmas | 33,100 | +22% | |
| 15 | Electric Mountain Bike | 33,100 | +22% | |
| 16 | Golf Grip | 33,100 | +22% | |
| 17 | Transfusion Drink | 27,100 | +22% | |
| 18 | Sports Fields | 22,200 | +517% | |
| 19 | Sports Research | 18,100 | +83% | |
| 20 | Carbon Plated Running Shoes | 18,100 | +83% | |
| 21 | Fringe Sport | 18,100 | +22% | |
| 22 | Golf Belt | 14,800 | +22% | |
| 23 | Formula E | 14,800 | +22% | |
| 24 | Flyball | 14,800 | +124% | |
| 25 | Pingpong Game | 14,800 | +49% | |
| 26 | Ski Slope | 14,800 | +22% | |
| 27 | World Cup Soccer Ball | 12,100 | +175% | |
| 28 | Obstacle Course Races | 12,100 | +317% | |
| 29 | Arcade Basketball Game | 12,100 | +22% | |
| 30 | Tifosi | 12,100 | +49% | |
| 31 | La28 | 9,900 | +175% | |
| 32 | High Fence Deer | 9,900 | +83% | |
| 33 | Cyclist Shorts | 9,900 | +83% | |
| 34 | Kinetic Park | 8,100 | +406% | |
| 35 | Vikings Male Cheerleaders | 8,100 | +99X | |
| 36 | Mgi Zip Navigator | 6,600 | +22% | |
| 37 | British Sports Car | 6,600 | +313% | |
| 38 | Bowling Calculator | 5,400 | +23% | |
| 39 | Soccer Quiz | 5,400 | +50% | |
| 40 | Cooling Towels | 5,400 | +23% | |
| 41 | Pickleball Leagues | 4,400 | +22% | |
| 42 | Skeet Shooting Machine | 4,400 | +238% | |
| 43 | Cooper Test Vo2 Max | 4,400 | +817% | |
| 44 | Ankle Guard | 2,900 | +230% | |
| 45 | Pickleball Paddle Covers | 2,900 | +21% | |
| 46 | Peba Filament | 2,900 | +303% | |
| 47 | Project B | 2,400 | +650% | |
| 48 | Creator Classic | 2,400 | +307% | |
| 49 | Tank Paintball | 2,400 | +85% | |
| 50 | Roku Sports Channel | 2,400 | +85% |
Showing top 10 of 50 sports trends
| Category | Market Size | Growth | Leaders |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fantasy Sports & Analytics | ~$31B | ~14.5% CAGR | ESPN, Yahoo, Sleeper |
| Emerging Racquet Sports | ~$2.8B | ~12.8% CAGR | HEAD, Babolat, Selkirk |
| Sim Racing & Esports | ~$1.8B | ~9.4% CAGR | Logitech, Fanatec, iRacing |
| Running & Endurance | ~$14B | ~6.2% CAGR | Nike, HOKA, Strava |
| Sports Media & Anime | ~$62B | ~8.7% CAGR | Crunchyroll, Netflix, ESPN+ |
| Electric & Sustainable Sports | ~$8.5B | ~11.2% CAGR | Formula E, Trek, Specialized |
CAGR = compound annual growth rate
For a breakdown of how we spot these movements before they peak, see our guide on Google Trends for market research where we explain our methodology.
Fantasy sports has evolved from hobby to obsession. "FF trade analyzer" commands an extraordinary 450,000 monthly searches with +124% year-over-year growth, while "trade analyzer" adds 368,000 searches and "fantasy calculator" shows 74,000 searches at +2,983% growth over five years.
The fantasy sports industry has matured into a data-driven ecosystem where advanced analytics determine winners and losers.
Fantasy sports analytics are exploding because:
The fantasy sports market is projected to reach $31 billion by 2027, growing at 14.5% CAGR.
FF Trade Analyzer (450,000 searches, +124% YoY) – Tools that evaluate fantasy football trades using player projections, rankings, and value charts. Essential for dynasty and keeper leagues.
Trade Analyzer (368,000 searches) – Broader search term covering all fantasy sports trade evaluation. Platforms like FantasyPros and KeepTradeCut dominate.
Fantasy Calculator (74,000 searches, +2,983% 5y) – Comprehensive tools that go beyond trades to include start/sit decisions, playoff odds, and roster optimization.
Dots Calculator (6,600 searches, +1,275% 5y) – Strength comparison tools used in powerlifting that have crossed over to fantasy sports for player comparisons.
New racquet sports are capturing global attention. "Padel" has reached 90,500 monthly searches with +1,271% growth over five years, while "pickleball app" shows 1,300 searches at +1,344% five-year growth. The broader racquet sports category is experiencing unprecedented expansion.
The fastest-growing sports in the world share a common thread: they're accessible, social, and require less physical intensity than traditional alternatives.
New sports are growing because:
The padel market alone is growing at 12.8% CAGR, with courts opening across North America and Europe.
Padel (90,500 searches, +1,271% 5y) – The world's fastest-growing racquet sport, combining elements of tennis and squash in an enclosed court. Massive in Spain and Latin America, now expanding globally.
Pickleball App (1,300 searches, +1,344% 5y) – Mobile apps for finding courts, players, and tracking matches. Indicates the sport's tech-savvy, organized player base.
Flyball (14,800 searches, +124% YoY) – A dog sport involving relay races with hurdles and ball retrieval. Growing as competitive dog sports gain mainstream attention.
Racing simulation has evolved from gaming to legitimate sport. "Simulation racing" generates 40,500 monthly searches with +174% five-year growth, while "sim racing setup" shows 6,600 searches at +313% growth and "digital pool" has exploded +25,757% over five years.
The line between virtual and real motorsports has blurred, with professional racing teams now recruiting from sim racing ranks.
Virtual motorsports are growing because:
The sim racing market is valued at $1.8 billion and growing at 9.4% CAGR.
Simulation Racing (40,500 searches, +174% 5y) – The broad category encompassing iRacing, Assetto Corsa, and Gran Turismo. Serious sim racers invest thousands in equipment.
Sim Racing Setup (6,600 searches, +313% 5y) – Hardware configurations including wheels, pedals, rigs, and monitors. Entry-level setups start around $500, with professional rigs exceeding $20,000.
Digital Pool (18,100 searches, +25,757% 5y) – Virtual billiards experiencing massive growth, potentially driven by mobile games and VR applications.
Formula E (14,800 searches, +22% YoY) – The all-electric racing series that bridges real motorsport with sustainability. Attracts younger fans concerned about environmental impact.
Racing Drones (8,100 searches) – FPV drone racing combines aviation with competitive gaming. Professional leagues offer significant prize pools.
Running has evolved from solitary exercise to community experience. "Running club" has grown to 9,900 monthly searches with +421% growth over five years, while "cooper test vo2 max" shows 4,400 searches at +817% year-over-year and "zone 2 heart rate calculator" has surged +1,614% over five years.
The running industry is being reshaped by community, data, and a science-backed approach to endurance training.
Endurance sports are growing because:
The running market is valued at $14 billion, with running clubs growing fastest in urban areas.
Running Club (9,900 searches, +421% 5y) – Social running groups that combine fitness with community. Often meeting weekly for group runs followed by social activities.
Cooper Test VO2 Max (4,400 searches, +817% YoY) – A 12-minute run test that estimates aerobic capacity. Resurgent interest reflects focus on cardiovascular fitness metrics.
Zone 2 Heart Rate Calculator (3,600 searches, +1,614% 5y) – Tools for determining optimal low-intensity training zones. Zone 2 training has become central to endurance performance.
Pace Calculator Half Marathon (5,400 searches, +238% 5y) – Race planning tools for the increasingly popular half marathon distance.
Golf technology has transformed from niche equipment to mainstream entertainment. "Golf simulator" generates 201,000 monthly searches with +232% growth over five years, while "golf rangefinder" shows 60,500 searches at +173% year-over-year and YouTube golf culture drives millions of views monthly.
The combination of home technology, precision gadgets, and YouTube entertainment has made golf accessible and appealing to new demographics.
Golf technology is thriving because:
The golf simulator market is projected to reach $3.5 billion by 2028, growing at 12.5% CAGR.
Golf Simulator (201,000 searches, +232% 5y) – Home and commercial simulators using launch monitors and projection screens. Brands like TrackMan, Foresight, and Garmin dominate the high-end market while affordable options from SkyTrak and Mevo democratize access.
Good Good (74,000 searches, +83% YoY, +814% 5y) – YouTube golf collective that has revolutionized golf entertainment. Their format of matches, challenges, and personality-driven content has attracted millions of subscribers and younger audiences to golf.
Golf Rangefinder (60,500 searches, +173% YoY) – GPS and laser devices that provide precise distances on the course. Once considered cheating, now standard equipment for serious golfers at all levels.
Malbon (60,500 searches, +49% YoY, +2,421% 5y) – Golf lifestyle brand blending streetwear aesthetics with golf apparel. Represents the cultural shift making golf fashionable for younger demographics.
Golf Orbit (49,500 searches, +309% YoY) – Mobile game that captures the casual golf gaming market. Indicates broad interest in golf-adjacent entertainment.
Sustainability is reshaping sports. "Formula E" generates 14,800 monthly searches with steady interest, while "electric mountain bike" shows 33,100 searches and sustainable sports equipment continues to gain market share.
The sports industry is responding to environmental concerns with electric alternatives and sustainable practices across all levels.
Green sports are growing because:
The sustainable sports market is growing at 11.2% CAGR as major brands commit to environmental goals.
Electric Mountain Bike (33,100 searches, +22% YoY) – E-MTBs that make trail riding accessible to more people while enabling longer rides. Controversy exists between traditional and e-bike riders.
Formula E (14,800 searches) – The all-electric racing series featuring major automotive manufacturers. Races in city centers bring motorsport to urban audiences.
The sports landscape of 2026 reveals a fundamental transformation: data, accessibility, and entertainment are converging to redefine what sports mean. Whether analyzing fantasy trades (450K searches, +124%), playing padel (+1,271% growth), building sim racing setups (+313%), joining running clubs (+421% growth), installing golf simulators (+232% growth), or riding electric mountain bikes – the common thread is sports becoming more inclusive, data-driven, and entertaining.
The winning approaches in sports share these characteristics:
For entrepreneurs and investors, the data points to high-growth opportunities: fantasy sports analytics tools, emerging racquet sport facilities and equipment, sim racing hardware and platforms, running community platforms, golf technology and indoor facilities, and sustainable sports equipment.
+24,000 Emerging Trends
+4,000 Breakout Apps
+70 Mega Trends
Trend Analysis Tool