DATA BANK
This the 2026 BMi Sporttrack is the 34th report of a series, which started as far back as 1986.
An invaluable database on sport participation demographics and trends, as well as on sport spectator quantification and trends which has been compiled over a period spanning nearly 4 decades.
Years of BMi research has shown just how successful sponsorships can be. The importance of this report to the business community cannot be underestimated.
status of sports
The ability to navigate through this ever-changing commercial landscape has however become increasingly challenging. As technology and content take centre stage in terms of connecting with consumers and enhancing the fan experience, greater analytics which uncover where and how best to engage with this highly sought-after target market will therefore prove key to unlocking the industry’s full potential.
The BMi Sporttrack™ report is aimed at satisfying those needs, providing stakeholders with the necessary tools and data led insights to strategically evaluate the landscape & opportunities within.
Individual reports providing in depth breakdowns of the demographic profile and interest of a specific sporting code (e.g.: Status of Soccer, Rugby, Cricket, ….) or Sports Club / team (Soccer clubs, rugby teams,…) may be ordered separately.
Sport Broadcast Landscape & Trends
The South African sports broadcast industry is now at a tipping point
It is clear that audience attention is being diluted, as media fragmentation and technology continue to evolve each day.
The Pay TV funding from SuperSport - which has helped sustain much of local sport - is under increasing pressure from streaming and the new digital content revolution.
The Canal Plus purchase of MultiChoice marks a fundamental inflection point in the South African Sports funding model.
Rights holders & broadcasters need to respond now and step up to the new challenge if they hope to succeed in the long term.
The rapid rise of women’s sports marks a structural shift in the global sports industry.
No longer an afterthought, the segment has emerged as a legitimate growth engine, drawing large audiences, unlocking new commercial partnerships, and gaining strategic importance for rights holders and investors.
As media rights, sponsorships, and monetisation models evolve, key strategic choices are emerging around how to structure women’s teams/clubs.
Esport
Esport continues to grow in popularity as the industry finally takes notice and begins to shift its focus to servicing the broader and more accessible mobile platform.
The introduction of weekly Esport magazine shows on free to air broadcast platforms such as SABC has contributed to the unprecedented growth and education of the sport to an increasingly wider audience, and is now ranked as the third most popular participation sport in South Africa.