The football equipment market - France

The global soccer equipment market, with an estimated compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.3% between 2020 and 2027, is primarily driven by Europe's robust performance, particularly in France. The French soccer market shows significant economic impact, with the sports market's worth reported at 90 billion euros in 2020, accounting for 3.9% of the nation's GDP. The French Football Federation (FFF) alone generated sales of 236 million euros at the end of the 2020-2021 financial year. Despite the health crisis leading to a decrease in FFF license holders to 2.18 million in 2020-2021, the sport's popularity remains high. Notably, Ligue 1 displayed over 259,000 season ticket holders for the 2022-2023 season and saw a 26% increase in stadium attendance in 2023. Women's soccer has showcased substantial growth, with a marked increase in engagement and licensing. Equipment manufacturers such as Nike, Adidas, Puma, and Kappa command a significant share of the market, while clubs and the media also hold sizeable influences. Regulations like the 2017 Law on Ethics, Transparency, and Competitiveness, govern the ethical and financial aspects of the sport, alongside the Code du sport and rules on sports betting. The market's segmentation spans federations, clubs, equipment manufacturers, and media companies, with giants like Nike and the French Football Federation standing out in terms of revenue.

The French Soccer Market: A Dynamic Landscape Shaped by Passion and International Events

Soccer's stronghold on France's sporting culture is clearly evident with its status as the country's most beloved and widely played sport. Despite facing polarized perceptions, with nearly half of the French populace reportedly nurturing a negative view of the sport—largely attributed to scandal and the significant role of money in its professional tiers—soccer continues to reign supreme in the hearts of many. In France, the demand for soccer is intrinsically linked to the performance of national teams in international events. Major tournaments like the World Cup tend to significantly boost public interest and participation. For instance, following France’s victory in the 2018 World Cup, the number of soccer licensees soared by around 9%, touching between 2.3 and 2.5 million. However, the COVID-19 health crisis briefly interrupted this upward trend, causing a dip to about 2.18 million licensures in the 2020-2021 season due to prolonged periods of inactivity. The increase in visibility and popularity of women's soccer also serves as a key driver for market expansion. Public interest in women's matches has more than doubled in recent years, with the positive image of the sport among French people surpassing 85%. In addition, the rise of amateur women's clubs—as many as 9,000 with female teams, reflecting a 100% increase—indicates a burgeoning segment eager for soccer equipment and paraphernalia. Attendance in stadiums, particularly for Ligue 1 matches, has shown a robust incline over the years, rising by approximately 26% from 2011 to 2023, although Ligue 2 presented a modest decline in the same period. The presence of fans in stadiums is mirrored on the pitch, with the number of season ticket holders for Ligue 1 hitting the range of 259,000 to 263,000 by the 2022-2023 season. Despite its popularity, the cost of engaging with the sport is not negligible. Ligue 1 fans spend, on average, between 750 and 800 euros annually, with significant portions of their budget allocated to merchandising. The cyclical nature of the soccer market, driven by fluctuations in international sporting events and the professional soccer calendar, is underscored by the peaks and troughs in Google searches for "soccer." The search interest surges around major soccer events and seasons,.

Key Market Players in the French Soccer Industry

The French soccer landscape is dominated by a mix of federations, clubs, equipment manufacturers, and media companies who all play crucial roles in the vitality of the sport within the nation. Each segment of key players contributes to the dynamic nature of soccer in France, keeping fans engaged and the market thriving.

The Core of French Soccer: Federation and Professional Clubs

At the heart of French soccer is the French Football Federation (FFF), an organization that orchestrates the governance, development, and regulation of soccer in France. It supports a network of clubs and oversees the national teams, ensuring the growth of both the sport and its participants from the grassroots to the professional level. FC Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Olympique de Marseille (OM), Olympique Lyonnais (OL), and Lille Olympique Sporting Club (LOSC) are notable professional clubs that not only front the sport in terms of athletic performance but also contribute significantly to the soccer economy through match-day revenues, merchandise sales, branding, and more. These clubs not only represent athletic endeavors but also embody cultural icons that resonate with fans across France and beyond.

Equipment Manufacturers

The Style and Substance of Soccer No game can be played without the proper gear, and that's where equipment manufacturers like Nike, Adidas, Macron, Puma, Kappa, Uhlsport, and Patrick come into play. These companies design and produce the athletic apparel and equipment that players wear on the pitch. They also contribute to the sport's economic vitality through sponsorships, partnerships, and extensive merchandising efforts. Their investment in research and innovation ensures that soccer apparel is constantly evolving to meet the performance and safety needs of players, while also maintaining the style that fans have come to expect.

Broadcasting Soccer

The Role of Media in the Game Lastly, the media segment is represented by companies like beIN Sport, a broadcaster that brings the excitement of French soccer to millions of viewers at home and abroad. The negotiation of TV rights and subsequent broadcasting of games are essential for maintaining the sport's visibility. Not only does it allow fans to follow their favorite teams and players, but it also generates significant revenue, which is then reinvested back into the sport. Each of these market players - from the FFF to soccer clubs, equipment manufacturers to media broadcasters – weaves into the fabric of French soccer.

Together, they create a vibrant ecosystem that underpins the popularity and commercial success of France's beloved sport.

Inforamtion

• Number of pages : 30 pages
• Format : Digital and PDF versions
• Last update : 07/01/2022

Summary and extracts

List of charts

• European soccer market
• Sales of soccer equipment
• Economic weight of sport
• FFF sales
• French people interested in soccer
• The image of soccer among the French
• Distribution of licenses by age
• Licenses issued by region
• Licenses by gender
• Number of season tickets sold in Ligue 1
• Average attendance at French stadiums
• Number of FFF licensees
• Number of women licensees
• Blue's Euro 2022 ratings
• Breakdown of FFF resources
• Sources of revenue for Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 clubs
• France's favourite Ligue 1 clubs
• Equipment manufacturers' market share in professional leagues
• National, National 2 and National 3 championship equipment rankings
• Number of practitioners by region
• Number of soccer clubs by region
• License price ranges by category
• Price of a flocked shirt with L1 badge
• Soccer equipment
• Evolution of interest in "soccer" research