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The sports landscape is changing, and so are the interests of young athletes. For facility owners or those planning on building one, paying attention to these trends is critical to attracting participants, filling courts, and keeping your business thriving. Traditional sports like soccer, football, basketball, volleyball, and baseball remain staples, but the time has come to diversify your offerings. While they certainly shouldn’t be unheard of or new to you, sports such as pickleball, flag football, and esports are rapidly gaining popularity among youth, sparking enthusiasm and boosting participation rates. Offering these growing sports at your facility can set you apart and improve community engagement.
Why Emerging Sports Matter for Your Facility
By featuring sports that are growing in popularity, you can try to establish yourself early as THE place to go for that emerging sport. Also, diversifying beyond the traditional lineup addresses the evolving preferences of today’s youth, ensures that you’re meeting demand, and opens growth opportunities for your business. Emerging sports like pickleball, flag football, and esports bring a host of benefits:- Broader appeal to youth with varying interests and skill levels.
- Inclusivity, offering options for kids of different interests, abilities, and backgrounds.
- Community engagement, as families, schools, and local organizations rally around new activities.
- Year-round use of your facility, as many of these sports can be played indoors or in flexible formats.
Ready to make an impact in your community?
Pickleball – The Fastest-Growing Sport in the U.S.
Pickleball is unavoidable. Its popularity has exploded in recent years, and its appeal isn’t limited to any age group. Youth participation is skyrocketing, with schools and recreational programs introducing this approachable paddle sport to younger age groups. Montgomery County in Maryland even became the first U.S. school district to offer pickleball as a high school varsity sport.
Why Pickleball?
- Accessibility: Children of all skill levels can enjoy it due to its simple rules and scaled-down courts.
- Flexibility: Can be played indoors or outdoors, offering year-round revenue potential for your facility.
- Inclusivity: Programs can integrate students with and without disabilities, fostering community and teamwork.
With participation rates surging, pickleball courts are now a must-have feature for modern facilities. The biggest reason to include pickleball isn’t all these great benefits. The reason to include pickleball is to avoid the angry mob that would have formed had you decided to not include pickleball at your facility.
Flag Football – A Safer, High-Energy Alternative
Flag football has been gaining traction as a safer alternative to tackle football, particularly for younger players. Supported by organizations like the NFL, it’s quickly evolving into a league sport and even making its way into school programs.
Why Flag Football?
- Safety: Without tackling, the risk of injury is much lower, making it more appealing to parents. (and less expensive without the pads)
- Popularity: Its competitive yet approachable nature attracts participants from varying skill levels.
- Community Opportunities: Flag football programs can unite local leagues and schools, encouraging collaborative participation.
This sport’s fast-paced energy makes it a crowd favorite and allows facilities to host dynamic, high-participation events, such as tournaments or summer camps. Any facility with indoor turf fields or outdoor fields for soccer, lacrosse, or football can be used to host a flag football program.
Esports – A Digital Revolution in Youth Activities
Esports is redefining how young people see competition. Competitive gaming is no longer a niche activity—it’s a billion-dollar industry with substantial grassroots activity at the youth level. Schools and local organizations are increasingly introducing esports clubs, tournaments, and leagues. Some colleges are even starting to offer esports scholarships!
Why Esports?
- Inclusivity: Esports welcomes participants regardless of physical ability, ensuring that no child is left out.
- Demand: Youth interest in gaming is at an all-time high. Facilities offering esports programs can quickly tap into this thriving industry.
- Versatility: Establishing a dedicated esports zone requires smaller spaces compared to traditional courts, and programs can run year-round.
Additionally, esports align seamlessly with youth interests while offering opportunities for teamwork, strategy-building, and even STEM education.
Preparing for the Future
Emerging youth sports trends are reshaping how facilities operate, and the message is clear—adapt or fall behind. Investing in pickleball courts, multipurpose spaces for flag football, and technology-enabled areas for esports can help to future-proof your facility.
By combining traditional offerings with these new sports, you become a destination not just for the games, but for community, inclusivity, and innovation. Now is the time to think beyond the basics and establish your facility as the go-to hub for sports (or esports), fun, and connection in your area.
If you are looking for help with anything from facility planning to operations management, let us know! We have 20 years of experience helping over 2,000 communities across the nation with their projects. If you have any questions or would like to partner on a project, contact us or give us a call at (727) 474-3845.
