Sports health and safety: the new strategic focus of professional and youth sports
Madrid, August 7, 2025
At a time of growing professionalization in sport, sports health and comprehensive safety have become key elements for clubs, sports centers and territories seeking to provide guarantees for both athletes and organizing entities. This ecosystem, ranging from clinical services to applied technology and specialized insurance, represents an expanding market with high potential for innovation and differentiation.
A booming market: data that confirms it
The global sports medicine and related services market reached €7.8 billion in 2024, with an expected annual growth of 6.2% through 2030 (Source: Market Research Future). This growth is driven by three main factors:
- Increase in organized sports practice, both professional and amateur.
- Aging of the active sports population, which demands preventive and recovery services.
- Demand for international safety and health standards in competitions and training centers.
In Spain, the sports health and wellness segment already represents more than 30% of operating expenditure in high-performance centers and professional clubs, including medical services, rehabilitation, insurance and preventive equipment.
Structural challenges of the sector
Despite its growth, the ecosystem faces several critical challenges:
- Lack of integration between medical services and sports planning in many clubs and centers.
- Shortage of common sports health and safety standards, especially in educational and amateur settings.
- Unequal access to advanced technology, such as preventive or diagnostic devices.
- Gap in professional training in specialized sports health and safety.
The need for efficient protocols, validated technology and qualified professionals is becoming increasingly evident. In addition, regulatory developments and pressure from federations and international bodies are raising requirements in injury prevention, mental health and safety at sporting events.
Trends shaping the future of the ecosystem
- Digitalization and sports telemedicine: remote monitoring platforms, imaging diagnostics and real-time biometric analysis.
- Comprehensive wellness: growth of sports psychology, nutrition and mental wellness services as part of athletic performance.
- Wearable technology and preventive devices: fatigue sensors, monitoring systems and smart recovery solutions.
- Sports safety consulting and certification: growth of companies specialized in auditing and certifying facilities and events.
- Specialized insurance and legal compliance: increasing demand for insurance and legal services adapted to the new realities of sport.
Key opportunities for brands and providers
This new scenario creates a unique space for companies offering solutions in the following key subsectors:
- Health services, sports medicine and diagnostics
- Clinics and physiotherapy and rehabilitation services
- Sports nutrition and psychology applied to sport
- Manufacturers of prevention and recovery devices
- Technology applied to sports health
- First aid and sports emergency providers
- Sports facility safety consultancies
- Professional training and certification in sports health
- Insurance and legal services for sport and health
From innovative startups to major clinics and insurers, the ability to effectively integrate these services will be a strategic differentiator for any club, federation or center aspiring to excellence.
SPORTCITIES Expo&Summit as a platform to reach sports decision-makers
In this context, SPORTCITIES Expo&Summit positions itself as an essential space for all brands and companies providing sports health and safety services. Forums such as the SPORTCITIES TRAVEL FORUM, which will take place within the context of SPORTCITIES 2025, not only allow innovative solutions to gain visibility, but also offer a real opportunity to connect with key prescribers and buyers: travel managers, technical directors, sports center managers and public officials.
Participating in SPORTCITIES means entering the strategic conversation about the future of professional and educational sport. It is the opportunity to lead, influence and position oneself in a rapidly growing market.